Aster Plant Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners

In this Gardener's HQ guide, we'll explore cultivating Aster plants in your garden, indoor spaces, and other settings.

Michaelmas Daisy and New England Aster: Cultivation & Garden Use

Aster's are a large group of hardy perennials, some of the common names for them include Michaelmas daisy, New England aster, and Purple aster.

Latin names include Aster divaricatus, Aster frikartii, Aster ericoides, Aster laevis, Aster novi belgii and Aster dumosus.

Aster can flower from anytime from spring to late autumn (depending on the species).

Asters range in size from 15 to 125 cm in height and have daisy like flowers of white, pink, purple or blue.

Blue Aster photograph by Markles55.

As many varieties of Aster flower towards the end of Autumn they can make a great plant for bringing colour into the garden late in the season. The smaller members of the Aster family make ideal rockery plants.

Aster ericoides (Heath Aster) photograph by Frank Mayfield.

How to Grow Aster

When planting Aster outdoors it is best to pre-chill seeds in a fridge around six weeks before sowing out, lightly covered, in either early spring or late autumn.

If you plan to first grow aster indoors then the seeds should be germinated at a temperature of around 21 to 24 degrees Celsius, this takes around two to five weeks.

The Aster seeds should first be sown into flats, placed in a plastic bag, refrigerated for a couple of weeks before shifting to the light.

Seedlings can then be transplanted outdoors after the last frost of spring, and either planted 25 to 30 cm apart (small species) or 60 cm apart for large species of Aster.

Plants should be grown in an area of the garden that has full sunlight, ideally in a light soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.

Caring for Aster

Aster care is fairly easy, though they should be pinched back when young to stimulate auxin and abscibic acid hormones to create more blooms.

Theses shoots should then be pruned until ideally eight shoots have developed, leading to a bushy and beautiful plant.

When propagating the plant it is best to divide the plant after three years to encourage robust growth of Aster.

Common Questions

How many members does the Aster genus have?

The Aster genus is quite large, with about 180 species. These flowering plants are known for their daisy-like flowers and are very popular in gardens.

Do members of Aster make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Absolutely! Aster plants are excellent for gardens, offering beautiful late-season color when many other flowers have finished blooming.

Which Aster species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Among the many species, Aster amellus (Italian Aster) and Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster) are often grown for their profuse and colorful autumn blooms.

Are members of the Aster plant genus fragrant?

While some Aster species may have a mild scent, they are generally not grown for their fragrance.

What is the perfect location to grow Aster?

Aster plants prefer full sun to partial shade and require well-drained soil. They are generally hardy and resistant to most pests and diseases.

Is Aster invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Most Aster species are not considered invasive in the USA. However, always check local guidelines as conditions can vary by region and species.

How do I remove Aster plants from my garden?

Aster plants can be removed by digging up the root system. If the plant is mature, this may require a fair amount of effort.

Summary

The Aster genus, part of the Asteraceae family, contains about 180 species of flowering plants. Native to Europe and Asia, these perennials are beloved for their showy, daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, providing color when many other plants have finished blooming. The flowers come in various shades of purple, pink, red, and white.

Asters prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are generally easy to grow and are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, including poor soils. Regular deadheading can promote more blooms. They can be susceptible to powdery mildew, so good air circulation around the plants is essential.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Aster plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: Growing Tahoka daisy, Gazania, and Stokesia plants.