How to Divide and Replant Echinaceas or Rudbeckias

When to divide coneflowers?

Dividing Echinacea (or rudbeckias) is ideally done in late summer or early autumn, between late September and early October. At this time, the plant enters dormancy, reducing the stress of division and promoting good root establishment before winter.

You can also consider dividing in spring, when new shoots appear, especially in regions with harsh winters. This allows the plant to benefit from a full growing season to establish itself well.

Avoid dividing your echinacea during full bloom or in the height of summer heat, as the plant then directs all its energy into flower production, making recovery more difficult.

You can divide clumps every 3 to 4 years to rejuvenate the plant and encourage flowering. This also prevents it from becoming too dense at the centre.

How to divide them?

To divide your coneflowers, follow these steps:

• Start by thoroughly watering the plant the day before dividing. Slightly moist soil will make it easier to lift the root ball and reduce stress on the roots.
• Insert a garden fork about 20 to 30 cm from the clump to avoid damaging the roots. Push it in deeply, then gently lever. If the soil is compact or clayey, work around the clump in several spots to loosen it gradually.
• Remove spent flowers, as well as dry or damaged stems. This will allow the plant to focus its energy on recovery.
• Use a sharp spade or a clean garden knife to cut the root ball into two or more sections, depending on its size. Each division should have healthy roots and several vigorous shoots or buds. If the root ball is very dense, you can even split it by hand after an initial rough cut.

How to Transplant Echinacea?

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball to allow the roots to spread easily. Loosen the soil well at the bottom and sides of the hole to encourage good rooting.
• Although coneflowers are undemanding, you can enrich the soil with some well-rotted compost or a light organic amendment. This will stimulate growth, especially if your soil is poor. Chemical fertiliser is not necessary.
• Place the root ball in the hole, ensuring the crown (the base of the stems, just above the roots) is level with the soil, neither too buried nor too exposed. This prevents the risk of rotting.
• Fill the hole with the excavated soil, gently firming it around the roots to eliminate air pockets. Avoid compacting the soil too much, as this could hinder root development.
• Water generously immediately after planting, even if it’s raining. This helps settle the soil naturally around the roots. Afterwards, keep the soil slightly moist for the first few weeks while the plant establishes itself. In case of prolonged drought, water regularly.

Good to know: Coneflowers generally establish easily, but a light mulch can help retain soil moisture and protect young plants from temperature fluctuations.

How to care for coneflowers?

Echinaceas are robust and undemanding plants. However, a few simple steps can help them remain vigorous and floriferous year after year.

Watering

• After planting: Keep the soil slightly moist until the plant is well established.
• Mature plant: Echinaceas are drought-tolerant once established. Water moderately during prolonged heatwaves, especially if the soil is very dry.

Mulching

An organic mulch (bark, straw, compost) helps retain moisture, suppresses weed growth, and protects roots from temperature fluctuations.

Pruning and tidying

• During flowering: Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms.
• End of season: Leave a few stems with dried seed heads if you wish to feed birds or encourage self-seeding.
• In spring: Cut back dry stems at the base to make way for new growth.

Fertilising

Echinaceas don’t require much fertiliser. A light application of compost in spring is enough to support flowering. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilisers, which promote foliage at the expense of flowers.