Quick answer: Grayhead coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) is native to 26 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. It's typically seed, verified 15 Sep 2026.
Photo: Joshua Mayer from Madison, WI, USA, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Medium water, Dry-Moist |
| Soil | Sandy to clay and calcareous soils |
| Bloom | Bloom May-Sep |
| Height | 3-5 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Attracts birds and butterflies, special value to native bees |
Buying it
Sold true to the wild species as of the last check (15 Sep 2026), via Amazon.
Sold as: Seed via Amazon · listing verified 15 Sep 2026
See where to buy →Quick answers about Grayhead coneflower
Where is Grayhead coneflower native?
Grayhead coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) is native to 26 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Grayhead coneflower bloom?
Grayhead coneflower blooms May-Sep. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Grayhead coneflower need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade. Water: Medium water, Dry-Moist. Soil: Sandy to clay and calcareous soils. Mature height: 3-5 ft tall.
Is Grayhead coneflower good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Attracts birds and butterflies, special value to native bees.
Is Grayhead coneflower deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Grayhead coneflower is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant.
Where can I buy real Grayhead coneflower seed or plants?
We found a listing sold as seed that names the true species, last checked 15 Sep 2026. Look for the scientific name Ratibida pinnata on any listing.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Grayhead coneflower.
- Eastern purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans
- Foxglove beardtongue Penstemon digitalis
- Sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula
- Eastern red columbine Aquilegia canadensis
- Great blue lobelia Lobelia siphilitica
Also listed under
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