China Aster Flowers

By: Liz Baessler

If you’re looking for big, beautiful blooms for your garden or kitchen table, the China aster is a great choice. The China aster (Callistephus chinensis) is an easy-to-grow annual with bright colors and big yields that make it ideal for cutting. Keep reading for some information about China asters that will get you on the way to growing your own.

China aster flowers come in reds, pinks, purples, blues, and whites, with big, puffy blossoms measuring 3-5 inches across. The heavily-clustered petals are thin and pointed, which often gets the flowers confused withmums or regular asters.

China aster flowers are especially popular in India because of their bright colors, and are often used in bouquets and flower arrangements.

What Are Growing Conditions For China Aster Plants?

Growing conditions for China aster are easy and very forgiving. China aster plants prefer well-drained, loamy soil, but they can be grown in most soil types. They thrive in anything from full sun to partial shade, and need only moderate watering.

China aster plants can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. They can be planted directly in your garden, but they work very well in containers too.

China Aster Cultivation

China aster plants can be started from seed or purchased as seedlings. In most climates, the China aster produces flowers only in spring and fall, so unless you want to start seeds indoors, purchasing and transplanting seedlings is the best way to ensure spring blossoms.

Plant the seedlings outdoors after all chance of frost has passed, and water every 4-5 days. Soon you’ll have large, striking blossoms that can be cut for arrangements or just left in the garden to provide a splash of color.

If your China aster plant stops flowering in the heat of summer, don’t give up on it! It will pick up again with the cooler fall temperatures. If you live in a climate with cool summers, you should have China aster flowers all season long.

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This article was last updated on 04/02/21

China Aster Flowers - What Are Growing Conditions For China Aster Plants (2024)

FAQs

How do you grow China asters? ›

Sow plants 1/8” deep in flats indoors 6–8 weeks before danger of last frost. Keep the soil consistently moist during germination; water gently with a fine nozzle or mister. For best germination, maintain a consistent soil temperature of 70–72°F/21–22°C. Seeds should germinate in 10–14 days.

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How do you take care of a Chinese aster? ›

China aster plants prefer well-drained, loamy soil, but they can be grown in most soil types. They thrive in anything from full sun to partial shade, and need only moderate watering. China aster plants can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.

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When can you plant Chinese aster? ›

China asters are typically sown 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost and transplanted out after the weather has sufficiently warmed. As with other cold-sensitive plants, such as zinnias, basil, and celosia, it's important to wait to tuck these into the garden until all danger of frost has passed.

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What season do aster grow best in? ›

Asters are daisy-like flowers that bloom in late-summer and early-fall. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, are easy to grow and bloom predictably and reliably. They attract pollinators with their bright colors and are disease and deer resistant.

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What zone do asters grow best? ›

Asters can be planted in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8 (check your zone here). They come in a variety of heights, ranging from 12 inches to 4 feet, so they work either in the back or front of borders depending on size.

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