Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
North American prairie plants are becoming more available to the home gardener and for good reason. They are as attractive as they are hard working. The Mexican Hat Plant, also called Upright Prairie Coneflower, is one native that deserves to have its moment. The diminutive coneflowers have a ring of deep rusty red, reflexed petals that make the bloom head look a bit like a sombrero and attract native pollinators and other beneficial insects like crazy.
The Mexican Hat Plant is a nice addition to a cutting garden. The fresh blooms last for a long time in an arrangement and they also keep their color well when dried. Upright Prairie Coneflower can be mixed in a meadow planting, left to naturalize a more wild part of your property or grown as an addition to a mixed seasonal container planting.
Mexican Hat Plant Care
All Coneflowers appreciate full sun and soil that is quick draining, while consistently moist. Supplemental watering is needed for the first year or two until the Mexican Hat Plant is fully established. Mulching the soil around this perennial will ensure that little extra fertilizing will be needed. Native plants do not normally need extra food when they are planted in the right place. A neutral to alkaline soil is what this native needs to thrive.
Mexican Hat Plant multiples easily from seed and by root divisions late in the summer. Annual maintenance is a quick cut back to the ground of last years’ foliage and flower stems to make way for new growth early in the spring. Mexican Hat Plants will tolerate seaside conditions of wind and salt spray better than other native coneflowers.
Mexican Hat Plant Spacing
Mexican Hat Plant is categorized as a smaller Coneflower. The mature height is 18-24 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches. Spacing plants at 12 inches will ensure a lovely, dense grouping that still has adequate air circulation.
Mexican Hat Plant Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Partial Sun (5-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 1-2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 1 Foot
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Growth Habit
- , Upright, Clumping
- Water Needs
- Dry
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Red, Yellow
- Flower Description
- Mahogany-red yellow brown
- Bloom Time
- Summer
- Harvest Time
- Fall
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green
- Foliage Type
- , Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, 3 Season Interest, Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Mexican Hat Plant
- Botanical Name
- RATIBIDA COL. 'RED MIDGET'
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!