A method and node for power efficient allocation of enhanced physical downlink control channel resources are disclosed. According one aspect, a method at a network node of allocating an enhanced control channel to a first wireless device is provided. The method includes determining a control channel subframe pattern for the first wireless device. The subframe pattern for the first wireless device includes at least an indication of a pattern of subframes during which the first wireless device is to monitor the enhanced control channel for downlink control information. The subframe pattern is based at least in part on enhanced control channel subframe utilization of other wireless devices. The method also includes transmitting the control channel subframe pattern to the first wireless device, and transmitting the downlink control channel information to the first wireless device over the enhanced control channel according to the enhanced control channel subframe pattern.