Location Joe Pye weed grows in moist fields and pastures, along road shoulders, at the edges of woods, and in disturbed areas in the eastern U.S. from central Florida to east Texas and north to Iowa, Quebec and Newfoundland. They are often abundant along streams and ditches. Although rarely found in gardens in the U.S., Joe Pye weed is a very popular ornamental plant in England. Culture Joe Pye weed normally gets pretty tall before it flowers in summer, but you can prune it back in late spring and it will bloom at a much lower height. Joe Pye weed grows best in full sun.
Plants grown in partial shade can get too tall reaching for the light, and are likely to fall over.
Joe Pye weed needs plenty of water. It will survive in dry sites, and is even considered to be drought tolerant, but it never will be as robust and showy as when grown with abundant moisture. Joe Pye weed can tolerate periods of inundation. It all depends on where they came from. Joe Pye weed is easily propagated by dividing the root clumps with a sharp shovel or spade during the dormant season.