Growing guide

How to grow Asters

Asters are a large group of plants, consisting of many different species, each one offering something different in height, colour and design potential. There are many cultivars available to provide you with good displays of late summer and autumn colour, with daisy-type flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, blue and red. Most are easy to grow, except on very heavy clay soils or soils that dry out in summer.

Many plants that were named Aster have now been reclassified and have a different genus name – we’ve kept them altogether here as the cultivation is still the same.

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Quick facts

  • Most asters flower in summer and autumn 
  • They thrive in full sun, but many flower in partial shade 
  • Asters grow well in moisture-retentive fertile soils
  • Heights range from 20cm-2m (8in-6⅔ft)
  • Single daisy flowers are good for pollinators
  • Most asters are perennials, lasting many years
  • Suitable for a range of garden styles, including borders, prairie-style plantings and rock gardens

All you need to know

Before you get started
Planting
Ongoing care
Pruning and training
Propagating
Problems
While we think all this information will be helpful to you, we always recommend to read the instruction labels on your plants.

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.