Photo: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 425. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc.Public domainvia Wikimedia Commons
Rough Aster Plant Care
Eurybia radula (Aiton) G.L.Nesom
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Eurybia radula, commonly known as the low rough aster or rough wood aster, is an herbaceous perennial in the family Asteraceae. It is native to eastern North America where it is present from Newfoundland and Labrador in the far northeast of Canada, west to Ontario and south to Kentucky and Virginia in the United States. The low rough aster is also present on the French overseas territory of St. Pierre and Miquelon just south of Newfoundland. It typically grows in wet soils in a wide variety of habitats from bogs and fens to creek shores to ditches. Although it is not considered threatened over most of its distribution, it is imperiled or possibly extirpated over much of its range in the United States. Its flower heads emerge in the late summer to early fall and show pale blue-violet rays with yellow centres.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Rough Aster?
Water Rough Aster every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Rough Aster Native To?
What Is the Rough Aster?
Rough Aster (Eurybia radula) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Eurybia genus. Rough Aster is native to eastern North America. Rough Aster is also known as Aster biflorus, Aster nudiflorus, Aster radula.
Rough Aster displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Rough Aster produces daisy-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Rough Aster?
Eurybia radula requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Rough Aster Need?
Rough Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Rough Aster Prefer?
Eurybia radula grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Rough Aster prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Rough Aster?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Rough Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Rough Aster?
Feed Rough Aster every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Rough Aster?
Repot every 2-3 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 Rough Aster?
Rough Aster can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to compact aster plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Rough Aster Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Rough 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 Rough Aster?
Rough Aster is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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 Rough Aster Need?
Rough Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Rough Aster is native to eastern North America. In cooler regions, grow Rough Aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Rough 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 Eurybia genus — compare its care with other Eurybia species on PlantoScan.
Eurybia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Rough Aster thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Eurybia Species
Other Eurybia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Eurybia radula (Aiton) G.L.Nesom, family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 77(3): 261 (1995)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Rough 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: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 425. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society. Scanned by Omnitek Inc., Public domain, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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