Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United StatesPublic domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Carolina Aster Plant Care
Ampelaster carolinianus (Walter) G.L.Nesom
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ampelaster is a North American monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. There is a single known species, Ampelaster carolinianus, with the common name of climbing aster. It is native to the southeastern United States, in the States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Carolina Aster?
Carolina Aster grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Carolina Aster Native To?
What Is the Carolina Aster?
Carolina Aster (Ampelaster carolinianus) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Ampelaster genus. Carolina Aster is native to the southeastern United States, in the States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Carolina Aster is also known as Aster carolinianus, Lasallea caroliniana, Symphyotrichum carolinianum.
Carolina Aster displays a trailing vine, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Carolina Aster produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.
What Light Does the Carolina Aster Need?
Carolina Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Carolina Aster?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Carolina Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Carolina Aster?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Carolina Aster?
Carolina Aster can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Carolina Aster Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Carolina Aster, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Carolina Aster?
Carolina Aster is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Carolina Aster Need?
Carolina Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Carolina Aster is native to the southeastern United States, in the States of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 6a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Carolina Aster is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ampelaster genus — compare its care with other Ampelaster species on PlantoScan.
Ampelaster is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Carolina Aster thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ampelaster carolinianus (Walter) G.L.Nesom, family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 77(3): 250 (1995)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Carolina Aster, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Everglades NPS from Homestead, Florida, United States, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 6a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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