If you only know of echinacea as a dietary supplement, you may be surprised to find that it is derived from a striking genus of perennial flowers. Also referred to as coneflowers, echinacea are popular as easily managed plants that bring vibrant color to any garden plot.

The name for echinacea derives from the Greek word "echinos" referring to a hedgehog or sea urchin. The Missouri Botanical Garden says most flowers in the genus have a spiky central cone with a resemblance to these creatures.

The flowers themselves are similar to daisies, and can easily be cut for use in bouquets. While purple flowers are the most popular option, some varieties are pink or white. The Cornell University Cooperative Extensive says the plant can grow up to five feet tall, with a spread of up to two feet.

Coneflowers are a rather hardy species. They can tolerate heat and drought, although their color will be brighter if they get some shade during the day. The seed company American Meadows says native echinacea plants grow near the edges of woodlands, so they usually aren't exposed to the sun during the morning or afternoon.

As a result, gardeners have plenty of latitude when choosing a site to plant coneflowers. While the site should get at least four hours of sunlight a day, it will also do well in partial shade.

Echinacea tolerate soils with low fertility, but won't grow well unless water can drain away easily. It also helps to amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting. Marie Iannotti, writing for the home design site The Spruce, says the soil's pH level should be neutral or slightly acidic.

Flowers can be grown either from seed or from cuttings. American Meadows says seeds should be sown and covered lightly in the spring or fall, allowing them to take advantage of the cool, moist conditions necessary for germination. Plants typically won't bloom from seed until the following season, so you'll want to transplant more mature coneflowers if you'd like to add them to your garden more quickly.

Check how wide the plant is likely to get and space out plantings accordingly. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends planting seeds about one to three feet apart.

Coneflowers require some extra water if they don't receive at least one inch of natural rainfall a week. Iannotti says they will benefit from daily watering after planting, but that the plant's water needs will be more minimal after it is established; you won't need to water it at all in its second year unless there are extreme drought conditions.

Echinacea will grow well with minimal maintenance. American Meadows says fertilizer is unnecessary unless your soil is deficient in any specific nutrients. If you notice that the plant is producing foliage but no flowers, or that the flowers are discolored, you'll likely need to provide some soil modification.

Plants will become floppy if they receive insufficient sunlight, and can be staked for extra support. The Old Farmer's Almanac recommends cutting floppy flowers down to the ground level once they have flowered.

Dead or faded blossoms should be removed. Iannotti says this will allow the plant to continue flowering throughout the summer, since additional shoots will form and produce blossoms along the stem. The Cornell University Cooperative Extension says you can also cut some plants back by half in the early summer to delay the blooms and maximize the amount of time the flowers will be in your garden.

Coneflowers are rarely affected by pests or diseases, although issues such as powdery mildew, leaf spots, and gray mold may occur if there is insufficient air circulation among the plants. Aster yellows disease may occur as well. Leaf miners, Japanese beetles, or vine weevils may also damage the plant.

At the end of the season, you may decide to leave the plant in place instead of shearing it to the ground. The Missouri Botanical Garden says the flower cones will attract birds, including goldfinches, that feed on the seeds.

The cones will drop seeds that allow echinacea to self-sow in future seasons. Iannotti says you can also collect seeds once the cones have dried, and easily plant them outside in the fall.

Dividing and transplanting coneflowers can be troublesome. American Meadows says the plants have a strong root system, and might have trouble establishing themselves in a new location after the roots have been disturbed.

However, division every few years can be useful if the flowers are starting to become too numerous and crowded. Transplanting should be done in the spring, and you should try to dig up as much of the root ball as possible. Once the plant is out of the ground, it should be moved and replanted immediately.

Since echinacea proliferates well, it is a good choice for massed groups of flowers. The Missouri Botanical Garden says it can also work in borders, meadows, or wildflower gardens, and pairs particularly well with black-eyed Susans. Coneflowers help attract beneficial pollinators, including butterflies.

While extracts, teas, and other products of echinacea have been used for medicinal purposes, these may be of minimal value. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, says echinacea may slightly reduce your chances of catching cold, but won't shorten your recovery time if taken after you're already sick. Echinacea products can also cause side effects such as allergic reactions and nausea.