What soil does Japanese aster grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Japanese aster hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). It gets through winter everywhere at lower altitudes, but may not survive unprotected in a mountain garden.

Is Japanese aster toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

When does Japanese aster flower?

Flowering: August–November, purple, white, pink.

How much water does Japanese aster need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Japanese aster cost?

It sells for roughly €4 to €8.90 in local shops, depending on size.

Japanese aster

Aster ageratoides

Japanese aster (Aster ageratoides) is a perennial. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €4.

Illustration of Japanese aster — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A very tough, late-flowering aster: from late summer until the frosts it is covered in a haze of pale lilac, white or pinkish flowers, in sun or part shade and even in the drier ground at the foot of trees and shrubs. Its creeping rhizomes knit into a dense, weed-suppressing patch within a few years, so plant it among strong partners (shrubs, grasses, tall perennials) and chop back the edges with a spade in spring. It needs no staking, the stems stay upright.

Watch out for

In good soil the rhizomes run quickly and crowd out weaker perennials. Powdery mildew can appear in persistently hot, dry spots, although it is far more resistant than Michaelmas daisies. Slugs and snails may chew the young shoots.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 70 cm × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D August–November, purple, white, pink

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	70 cm × 60 cm
Ultimate size	0.4–1 m × 30–60 cm
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	August–November, purple, white, pink
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €4

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-25 cm	approx. €5.10
size not stated	approx. €4 – €8.90

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Perennials for part shade Perennials for full sun Perennials for clay soil Plants that are non-toxic to children Perennials for pollinators Low-maintenance perennials

Compare with similar plants

Japanese aster vs Bushy aster Japanese aster vs New England aster Japanese aster vs New York aster

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