Photo: NatthagerCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Medicinal Aster Plant Care
Aster officinalis All.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elecampane (Inula helenium), pronounced and also called horse-heal or elfdock, is a widespread plant species in the sunflower family Asteraceae. It is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Medicinal Aster?
Water Medicinal 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 Medicinal Aster Native To?
What Is the Medicinal Aster?
Medicinal Aster (Aster officinalis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Aster genus. Medicinal Aster is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America. Medicinal Aster is also known as Aster helenium, Aster officinalis, Corvisartia helenium.
Medicinal Aster displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Medicinal Aster produces daisy-like flowers in various colors like purple, pink, white, and blue.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Medicinal Aster?
Aster officinalis 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 Medicinal Aster Need?
Medicinal Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Medicinal Aster Prefer?
Aster officinalis grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Medicinal Aster prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Medicinal Aster?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Medicinal Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Medicinal Aster?
Feed Medicinal 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 Medicinal Aster?
Divide and 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 Medicinal Aster?
Medicinal Aster can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rough-surface aster plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Medicinal Aster Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Medicinal 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 Medicinal Aster?
Medicinal Aster is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Medicinal Aster Need?
Medicinal Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Medicinal Aster is native to Eurasia from Spain to Xinjiang province in western China, and naturalized in parts of North America. In cooler regions, grow Medicinal Aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Medicinal 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 Aster genus — compare its care with other Aster species on PlantoScan.
Aster is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Medicinal Aster thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Aster Species
Other Aster species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aster officinalis All., family Asteraceae (first published in Fl. Pedem. 1: 195 (1785)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Medicinal 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: Natthager, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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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