Do Coneflowers Need Full Sun, Partial Shade, or Full Shade?

Brightly blooming coneflowers are quintessential to a summertime garden. They keep the bees buzzing, while also filling our gardens with a variety of different beautifully colored flowers. A quick deadhead will keep the flowers reblooming all summer long. It does not get much easier than coneflowers.

So, now you want to add some coneflowers to your garden, but you are not sure how much sunlight these perennials should be getting. Coneflowers are native to North America, so if you are growing coneflowers in North America you are in luck. These plants can actually be pretty resilient. However, the perfect spot for your coneflower will allow your plant to flourish.

Don’t stress! Selecting the perfect spot for your coneflowers will be a breeze. We will want to look for a spot with the right amount of sunlight so your coneflowers will thrive! Let’s discover where you should plant your coneflowers, and why!

The Long Answer

For coneflowers to be at their best they need to be planted in full sun. This means anywhere from 6-8 hours of sun per day. Because coneflowers will do pretty well in partial shade, that is anywhere from 4-6 hours of sunlight. Partial sunlight is actually more beneficial if you live in very warm areas.

Full sun plants often require more watering because the soil around them will dry out quickly. In the middle of the summer you will want to keep an eye on your coneflowers to make sure they still look healthy and strong. It is true that coneflowers that are well established in your garden can be tolerant of drought, but even the toughest plants can use some assistance during long stretches of heat.

If you do not know how much sun your gardens get you can simply set a timer, and take a peek outside once an hour throughout the day. You can also purchase a sunlight measuring meter and place it in your garden.

Sunlight Encourages Stronger Plants

If you have coneflower planted in partial shade, you may have noticed that they are surviving just fine. You  may also have noticed that they are a bit weaker, shorter, and likely have less flowers on them. This is because coneflowers need the sunlight to strengthen the stems and produce an abundance of happy flowers.

Sunlight will help to power your coneflowers with a robust amount of flowers. Because sunlight is responsible for photosynthesis, the more sunlight your plant gets the more growth it will push. This means foliage as well as blossoms. If you want to keep your coneflowers blooming well into the fall you will definitely want to plant your coneflowers in full sun.

If you plant coneflowers in partial shade, you may notice that your plants will grow shorter, the blooms will be fewer, and the stems will be more tender and thin.

Can Coneflowers Survive in the Shade?

The original, native plant Echinacea purpurea, or Purple Coneflower is actually a woodland plant. They can survive with afternoon shade, but not shade that you’d see in the deep areas of the woods.

They can live in areas that have a good amount of dappled sunlight, where trees or other plants don’t completely shade them out. This variety of coneflower is not hybridized and will grow very happily in areas with morning sunlight and some dappled afternoon shade.

Sunlight Helps Prevent Disease

While coneflowers do not struggle with diseases too much, keeping them in full sun will help to keep many diseases away.

Many fungal diseases thrive in shady, moist areas. Because coneflowers love the sun they are less likely to struggle with these diseases. If you have them planted in partial shade you will want to keep your garden neat and tidy to make sure there isn’t any diseased plant tissue hanging around.

Watch Your Companions

One day your beautiful coneflowers are growing happily with other sun loving perennials and shrubs. Before you know it many plants may tower over your coneflowers, shading the coneflowers a little too much and stunting their growth.

Years ago, I planted a new garden full of coneflowers and hibiscus. Now, almost 10 years later the hibiscus is thriving and the coneflowers are merely surviving.

The plants are healthy, but the are smaller and I often do not get a second bloom after deadheading. I’ll have to transplant the coneflowers next spring so they can grow to their full potential.

Shade Tolerant Alternatives

Nothing quite compares to the bright colors, and daisy-like flowers of the coneflower when it comes to shade plants. But if you are looking for a colorful perennial that can fill in some shadier garden spaces, there are a number of different options. Here’s some top picks.

Astilbe

	plant type Herbaceous Perennial
	sun requirements Partial to Full Shade
	height 1-4 feet
	hardiness zones 3-8
	where to plant Shady garden spaces

Blooming in a variety of different flower colors, Astilbe is a shade garden darling. It starts blooming earlier in the season compared to other perennials. It is most commonly around 1-2 feet in height, but some varieties can grow up to 4 feet tall if they have the room. They make a great accent plant, and function well as perennial border plants.

Coleus

	plant type Annual, Perennial
	sun requirements Partial Shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones 10-12
	where to plant Shaded garden spaces

A warm climate favorite, coleus is notoriously averse to winter conditions. It loves partial shade, and is usually treated as an annual plant in cooler climates.

Coleus is more well known for its beautiful foliage than its blooms. Their beautiful leaves come in many different colors, including reds, greens, pinks and purples. You can also plant them as coneflower companions in areas that receive dappled shade.

Fuchsia

	plant type Annual, Perennial
	sun requirements Partial Shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones 10-11
	where to plant Shaded garden areas

Fuschia makes for a great low growing perennial in warmer climates. It’s treated as an annual in cooler hardiness zones. It’s a popular plant for hanging garden baskets, and its hot-pink blooms are unmistakable. It will add plenty of visual interest and dramatic color appeal to shady areas of your garden.

Foxglove

	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Partial Shade
	height Up to 6 feet
	hardiness zones 5-9
	where to plant Shaded garden areas that allow taller plants

A popular taller flower, Foxglove can grow up to six feet in height. It blooms most commonly in shades of pink, and purple. A beautiful perennial plant, Foxglove is great for areas in your garden that need filled in near fences where taller plants can help close off space. They will also attract many different types of pollinators.

Hardy Geranium

	plant type Perennial
	sun requirements Partial Shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones 5-8
	where to plant Shaded low growing garden spaces

A popular perennial in cooler climates, hardy geranium is perennial in zones 5-8. These low growing perennial flowers are perfect for lining garden borders and paths. They bloom in a variety of colors, but most commonly in pink and purple. They attract pollinators similarly to that of the coneflower.