How to Harvest Echinacea Seeds

There are several species of echinacea that can be identified by the conical flower center. One of the best-known members of the species is Echinacea purpurea, which is used as an herbal medicine to strengthen the immune system. Echinacea is commonly added to medicinal gardens, and can often be found in the wild. In the fall, the seeds can be harvested to expand or start your crop the next growing season.

Paper bag
Rubber band
Tweezers
Paper towel
Glass jar

Instructions

- 1
  Identify the echinacea plants that you would like to get seeds from. Keep an eye on them in the early fall. When the petals begin to fall off, and the stem and conehead begins to blacken, it is time to harvest the seeds.
- 2
  Cut your echinacea plants so that at least 8 inches of the stem is left below the flower conehead. Remove all leaves and petals that haven't fallen off naturally.
- 3
  Place your flowers upside down in your paper bag. Wrap a rubber band around the top of the bag and the stems to hold them together. Hang your echinacea by the stems in a dry area that gets very little humidity.
- 4
  Shake the paper bag gently each day to encourage the seeds to fall. Take down your echinacea and open the bag after 3 weeks. Use your tweezers to remove any seeds still stuck in the conehead.
- 5
  Spread your echinacea seeds evenly over a paper towel, and place them in a sunny window to dry for 1 week.
- 6
  Put your seeds in a glass jar. Store your seeds in the freezer until you are ready to use them.

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