Cover image: Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’ courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

See What Grows Best with Echinacea In This Picture-Packed Companion Guide

This post contains affiliate links, marked with an asterisk (*). If you click the link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you - please see my policy on affiliate links. Thank you for supporting this blog!

Mixing and matching plants is one of gardening’s greatest pleasures, and finding the right echinacea companion plants is no exception! With bold, daisy-like blooms and tall, upright stems, echinacea brings instant color and structure to any gardening space. But figuring out what to plant alongside this beloved perennial can feel both joyful and puzzling. The possibilities seem endless... and maybe a little overwhelming.

Don’t worry - we’ve got you! This guide is packed with gorgeous photos and helpful ideas to inspire your garden planning. Whether you’re going for a pollinator paradise, a colorful border, or a wild and whimsical pocket prairie, these combinations will help your echinacea to shine.

Before we dive into our top five favorite echinacea companion plants, we’ll start with the basics: where echinacea grows best, what it needs to thrive, and how to choose companions that will grow happily by its side. Then, get ready to explore five fabulous plant partners, each with photos to help you visualize the perfect pairings in your own garden and landscape.

Echinacea Companion Plant Basics

Echinacea companion plants truly shine when paired with partners that thrive in the same growing conditions. And luckily, echinacea makes it easy - it’s a garden powerhouse that’s both low-maintenance and high-impact.

Ideal for sunny borders, pollinator-friendly plantings, and drought-tolerant designs, echinacea thrives in full sun and well-draining soil that’s on the leaner side. Most varieties do well in zones 4-9, with some hardy enough to handle the chill of zone 3. Not sure what zone you are in? Check out the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

When choosing echinacea companion plants, look for species that share a love of sunshine and don’t mind soil that dries out between waterings. For the most eye-catching combinations, choose companion plants that bloom around the same time as your echinacea so their colors and textures complement each other.

Also, pay close attention to plant heights - both echinacea and its companions come in a wide range of sizes. Some cultivars are compact and perfect for the front of the border, while others grow tall, making them ideal for the middle or back of the bed. Check plant tags for mature height so you can position each plant thoughtfully and create a well-layered, harmonious design.

With all that in mind, let’s take a closer look at five standout companion plants that pair beautifully with echinacea, complete with plenty of photos to help you picture the possibilities in your own garden!

1. Echinacea and Russian Sage

Perovskia species

an echinacea companion plant called Russian Sage with purple flowers and silvery foliage growing in a garden — **Russian Sage is a visually striking echinacea companion plant.** Straight species *Perovskia atriplicifolia* image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

I love pairing Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) with echinacea for a combination that’s both visually striking and easy to maintain. These two perennials thrive in similar conditions - full sun and well-draining, average to dry soil, making them a low-fuss match for zones 4-9.

Russian sage brings a soft, airy texture to garden beds with its lavender-blue tubular blooms and silvery-green, finely cut foliage. The straight species can reach 36-48 inches tall and 20-30 inches wide, but there are also several more compact cultivars available to suit smaller gardens and tighter spaces.

Design-wise, this pairing works beautifully because of the contrast in form and texture. Echinacea has a bold, upright structure with distinct flowers and large, dark green leaves, while Russian sage provides a looser, more ethereal feel with its airy stems, finely textured leaves and small, tubular flowers.

Both have similar bloom times, from midsummer into fall, ensuring a long season of color and pollinator activity. I like to use Russian sage as a soft backdrop for echinacea, or weave it through a planting in staggered clumps to create a more natural, layered look.

Designing with these two is as fun as it is foolproof - just be mindful of the scale. Taller Russian sage varieties work best behind clumps of echinacea, while compact selections can mingle alongside or even in front.

The color combinations are nearly endless: try a pairing white echinacea variety with the classic lavender-hued straight species of Russian sage for a soft, sophisticated palette; go bold by combining bright pink or purple echinacea with a heavily flowering Russian sage variety like ‘Denim’n’Lace’; or do something unexpected by pairing a melon-colored echinacea like ‘One in a Melon’ or ‘Cantaloupe’ with a blue Russian sage cultivar like ‘Lacey Blue’.

Whether you're aiming for a calm elegance or vibrant contrast in your garden, this echinacea planting companion duo delivers!

Photo Gallery: Inspiring Echinacea and Russian Sage Pairings

Plants featured in this gallery:

Kim’s Knee High Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Kim’s Knee High’) and Little Lace Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Little Lace’)
Color Coded® One in a Melon Echinacea (Echinacea x ‘Color Coded’) and Sage Advice Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Sage Advice’)
Milkshake Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Milkshake’) and Rocketman Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Rocketman’)
Orange You Awesome Echinacea (Echinacea ‘Orange You Awesome’) and Denim’n’Lace Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Denim’n’Lace’)
PowWow White Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow White’) and Straight Species Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)

👉 * Buy PowWow White Echinacea from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

👉 * Buy Straight Species Russian Sage from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

2. Echinacea and Coreopsis

Coreopsis species

Zagreb tickseed coreopsis plant growing in a garden next to sedum and daisies — **The cheerful yellow blooms of the echinacea companion plant Zagreb Coreopsis.** Image courtesy of Walters Gardens.

I love pairing coreopsis (also known as tickseed) with echinacea for a bright, cheerful planting that’s full of movement and color. These two perennials thrive in the same conditions: full sun and well-draining, average to poor soil.

Both plants are drought-tolerant once established, and hardy in a wide range of zones. Coreopsis generally grows in zones 3-9, though some cultivars may have a narrower range, so be sure to check plant tags when selecting a variety.

Coreopsis grows in dense, bushy clumps and is covered with small, daisy-like flowers all summer long. Many cultivars will even rebloom into fall when they are sheared back in mid to late summer. The fine, thread-like foliage of coreopsis brings a feathery light texture to the garden, contrasting nicely with echinacea’s coarse and pointy leaves.

Thanks to its shorter height and spreading habit, coreopsis makes a great choice for planting in front of echinacea. Their respective flower shapes echo each other nicely, with coreopsis looking like a miniature version of echinacea’s daisy-like blooms.

When it comes to color, coreopsis is incredibly versatile. You’ll find cultivars in shades of yellow, gold, orange, peach, red, and pink, and many even have bi-colored petals or colored centers that create a striking contrast.

For a cohesive look, try a monochromatic color scheme and pair pink echinacea with pink-flowered coreopsis. For a cheerful combination, pair a white echinacea with a yellow-flowering coreopsis variety like ‘Zagreb’ or ‘Moonbeam’.

A fun way to create a coordinated look is to match your echinacea to the streaks of color on your coreopsis petals. For example, if the coreopsis has a reddish or pink streak through the center of its yellow petals, try pairing it with an echinacea in a similar red or pink shade.

However you mix them, coreopsis and echinacea make an easy, low-maintenance duo with long-lasting appeal. And as echinacea companion plants, they’re hard to beat!

Photo Gallery: Inspiring Echinacea and Coreopsis Pairings

Plants featured in this gallery:

Eye-Catcher™ Coral Craze Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Coral Craze’) and Nova® Sunstone Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata 'Nova® Sunstone')
Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’) and Moonbeam Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’)
Sombrero® Salsa Red Coneflower (Echinacea x ‘Balsomsed’) and Sizzle & Spice® Crazy Cayenne Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Crazy Cayenne’)
Magnus Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’) and Sizzle & Spice® Zesty Zinger Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zesty Zinger’)
PowWow White Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow White’) and Zagreb Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata ‘Zagreb’)

👉 * Buy PowWow White Echinacea from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

👉 * Buy Zagreb Coreopsis from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

3. Echinacea and Hummingbird Mint

Agastache species

an echinacea companion plant called agastache or hummingbird mint with spiky purple flowers growing in a garden landscape with evergreens behind — **Spiky flowers in a range of different colors make hummingbird mint the perfect echinacea companion plant.** Blue Boa Hummingbird Mint image courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company.

I love to plant hummingbird mint (also known as Agastache) together with echinacea for a vibrant, pollinator-friendly combination that’s as easy to grow as it is beautiful. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-draining soil with average moisture, and most are hardy in zones 4-9 (check the plant tags, there is slight variation among cultivars).

With a long season of bloom from midsummer through fall and a reputation as a magnet for bees, butterflies, and of course, hummingbirds, this member of the mint family earns its place among the top choices for echinacea companion plants.

Hummingbird mint is an upright perennial topped with fuzzy, bottlebrush-like flowers. The flower spikes add a vertical element to the garden and contrast nicely with echinacea’s shuttlecock shaped blooms.

Hummingbird mint comes in a wide range of vibrant flower colors: blue, purple, white, yellow, peach, pink, and orange. Many cultivars also feature colorful calyxes, giving the blooms a striking two-toned appearance that opens the door to all kinds of creative combinations.

When pairing hummingbird mint with echinacea, you can keep it subtle by combining soft purples and lavender tones for a calming, muted palette.

For something bolder, mix bright pinks, purples, and sunny yellows together, or turn up the heat with fiery reds, tangerines, and oranges. With so many hues to choose from, the pairing possibilities are nearly endless!

Photo Gallery: Inspiring Echinacea and Hummingbird Mint Pairings

Plants featured in this gallery:

Kim’s Knee High Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Kim’s Knee High’) and Blue Fortune Hummingbird Mint (Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’)
Eye Catcher™ Canary Feathers Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Canary Feathers’) and Beelicious® Purple Hummingbird Mint (Agastache 'Agapd')
Magnus Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’) and Beelicious® Pink Hummingbird Mint (Agastache 'Agapk')
Butterfly Yellow Rainbow Marcella Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea ‘Yellow Rainbow Marcella’) and Blue Boa Hummingbird Mint (Agastache ‘Blue Boa’)
Sombrero® Salsa Red Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Balsomsed’) and Guava Lava Hummingbird Mint (Agastache ‘Guava Lava’)

👉 * Buy Sombrero® Salsa Red Coneflower from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

👉 * Buy from Guava Lava Hummingbird Mint from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

4. Echinacea and Switch Grass

Panicum virgatum

a large clump of the echinacea companion plant switch grass growing in an outdoor garden landscape with evergreen trees behind — **Switch grass is a versatile, easy-to-grow echinacea companion plant.** Totem Pole Switch Grass image courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

I love combining switch grass (Panicum virgatum) with echinacea for a look that’s naturalistic and effortlessly low-maintenance. This warm-season perennial grass thrives in full sun with moderate moisture and is hardy in zones 5–9.

It forms dense, upright clumps that reach 3-4 feet tall and it slowly spreads through creeping rhizomes. With a wide range of cultivars available in different sizes and colors, switch grass is one of the most versatile echinacea companion plants you can grow.

This pairing shines in native, meadow-style, or pocket prairie plantings where echinacea’s bold flower shape is silhouetted against a soft curtain of switch grass. In fall, this grass turns shades of gold, amber, and even burgundy, extending the interest long after echinacea finishes blooming.

When it comes to color pairings, there’s plenty of room to play. Cultivars with red-tinged blades like ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘Cheyenne Sky’ pair beautifully with warm-colored echinacea like “Cheyenne Spirit’.

Switch grasses tinged with blue or pink hues, like ‘Totem Pole’ and ‘Apache Rose’, look stunning alongside white, pink, or purple echinaceas.

These two native plants make a striking pair, bringing both structure and softness to the garden. Together, they create a bold, natural look that feels effortlessly cohesive.

Photo Gallery: Inspiring Echinacea and Switch Grass Pairings

Plants featured in this gallery:

Pretty Parasols Echinacea (Echinacea 'JS Engeltje') and Prairie Winds® Apache Rose Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Apache Rose’)
Double Dipped® Rainbow Sherbet Echinacea (Echinacea ‘Rainbow Sherbet’) and Half Pint Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Half Pint’)
Sombrero® Blanco Echinacea (Echinacea ‘Blanco’) and Gunsmoke Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Gunsmoke’)
Summersong™ Firefinch™ Echinacea (Echinacea ‘Summersong™ Firefinch™’) and Blue Fountain Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Blue Fountain’)
Cheyenne Spirit Coneflower (Echinacea ‘Cheyenne Spirit’) and Prairie Winds® Cheyenne Sky Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Cheyenne Sky’)

👉 * Buy Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

👉 * Buy Shenandoah Switch Grass from Fast Growing Trees * 👈

5. Echinacea and Blazing Star

Liatris spicata

echinacea companion plant called florisan violet blazing star with purple flowers and fine textured foliage growing in front of grasses in garden landscape — **The vertical flower spikes of Blazing Star make it a great echinacea companion plant.** Floristan Violet Blazing Star image courtesy of Ball Horticultural Company.

I love pairing blazing star (Liatris spicata) with echinacea for a striking combination that’s both pollinator-friendly and low maintenance. Blazing star is a clump forming perennial native to Eastern North America, and it’s easy to grow in zones 3-9. Tall spikes of fuzzy blooms rise above the finely-textured grassy foliage, bringing a bold vertical interest to the landscape.

Blazing star typically reaches 3-6 feet tall, though compact varieties like ‘Kobold Original’ stay much shorter. It has a bloom time that aligns perfectly with echinacea, making it one of the most reliable echinacea companion plants for a vibrant and colorful summer display.

Design-wise, the slender flower wands and soft foliage of blazing star create a pleasing contrast when grown next to dense, upright clumps of echinacea. The result is a layered, natural look that works beautifully in borders, island beds, cottage gardens, and pollinator gardens.

Blazing star blooms in shades of pink, purple or white, making it easy to pair harmoniously with pink and purple echinaceas varieties. For a bolder, more unexpected combination, try mixing purple blazing star with orange-hued coneflowers like ‘Soft Orange’. And you can never go wrong with a classic pink and white color scheme, it’s a timeless, fresh look that works beautifully in any garden setting!