Both genera of coneflowers are very decorative and easy to care for, but only the red coneflower, Echinacea in Latin, is considered a medicinal herb. In addition to the flowers, the stems and leaves are also dried for tea or made into a tincture.
Diseases can be identified on the leaves of the coneflower
diseases of the coneflower
Although the Echinacea is quite easy to care for, it is unfortunately also quite susceptible to pest infestation. That's why you should check your perennials regularly. If a white layer forms on the leaves or flowers, this is a sign of powdery mildew infestation. This fungal disease occurs preferably in the period from June to September and in dark locations.
Spray the affected leaves with a mixture of nine parts water and one part milk or whey, possibly with a chemical solution. It is best to cut off very badly affected leaves. However, do not dispose of the plant cuttings in the compost, as the fungal spores could survive there and later be passed on to other plants.
If your coneflower gets brown leaves, aphids could be responsible. Remove the affected leaves and dispose of them with household waste. Burning of the leaves is also possible. In case of repeated infestations, consider using an insecticide.
Use as a medicinal plant
Like all other parts of the coneflower, the leaves are used for medicinal purposes. From July to October, i.e. during the flowering period, all parts of the plant above ground (flowers, leaves and stems) can be collected. If you want to use coneflowers to prepare tea, then dry the plants as quickly and gently as possible. You can also make a tincture out of it.
The essentials in brief:
- healthy leaves can be used for tea
- brown leaves may indicate aphids
- white coating indicates powdery mildew
- never dispose of diseased leaves in the compost: risk of contamination for other plants
tips and tricks
You can make a tea from the leaves, flowers and stems of the echinacea to prevent colds and flu and to boost the immune system.