This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current knowledge on the physiology, secondary metabolites, agronomy, and ecology of *Echinacea* plants, focusing on *E. purpurea*, *E. angustifolia*, and *E. pallida*. *Echinacea* is a widely recognized medicinal plant with immunological, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The review highlights the diverse classes of compounds responsible for these properties, including caffeic acid derivatives (CADs), choric acid, echinacoside, chlorogenic acid, cynarine, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, polysaccharides, and alkylamides. Despite the growing demand for *Echinacea* products, there are challenges in identifying active metabolites, elucidating molecular signaling pathways, and conducting robust clinical trials. The review also discusses the potential of *Echinacea* in neuroprotection, anticancer activity, and liver protection, emphasizing its neuroprotective effects through echinacoside, its anticancer properties through echinacoside and other compounds, and its hepatoprotective effects through various mechanisms. Additionally, the review explores recent advances in biotechnology for *Echinacea* production, including genetic engineering, phylogenetic analysis, in vitro propagation, and stress-induced enhancement of bioactive compounds. The impact of abiotic stresses such as salinity and temperature on secondary metabolite production is discussed, along with factors influencing the quality of *Echinacea* roots for commercial use. Overall, the review underscores the need for further research to optimize the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and enhance the large-scale farming of *Echinacea*.This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current knowledge on the physiology, secondary metabolites, agronomy, and ecology of *Echinacea* plants, focusing on *E. purpurea*, *E. angustifolia*, and *E. pallida*. *Echinacea* is a widely recognized medicinal plant with immunological, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The review highlights the diverse classes of compounds responsible for these properties, including caffeic acid derivatives (CADs), choric acid, echinacoside, chlorogenic acid, cynarine, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, polysaccharides, and alkylamides. Despite the growing demand for *Echinacea* products, there are challenges in identifying active metabolites, elucidating molecular signaling pathways, and conducting robust clinical trials. The review also discusses the potential of *Echinacea* in neuroprotection, anticancer activity, and liver protection, emphasizing its neuroprotective effects through echinacoside, its anticancer properties through echinacoside and other compounds, and its hepatoprotective effects through various mechanisms. Additionally, the review explores recent advances in biotechnology for *Echinacea* production, including genetic engineering, phylogenetic analysis, in vitro propagation, and stress-induced enhancement of bioactive compounds. The impact of abiotic stresses such as salinity and temperature on secondary metabolite production is discussed, along with factors influencing the quality of *Echinacea* roots for commercial use. Overall, the review underscores the need for further research to optimize the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and enhance the large-scale farming of *Echinacea*.