False Aster Plant Care
Boltonia asteroides L'Hér.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Boltonia asteroides, the white doll's daisy, false chamomile, or false aster, is a species of plant native to the United States and Canada. It is found primarily in the Mississippi Valley and Great Plains from Saskatchewan south to Texas and Florida, with isolated populations in the eastern United States. Reports of the species in New England, New York, and the Pacific Northwest appear to be introductions.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for False Aster?
Water False 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 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the False Aster Native To?
What Is the False Aster?
False Aster (Boltonia asteroides) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Boltonia genus. False Aster is native to the United States and Canada. False Aster is also known as White Doll's Daisy, Aster-like Boltonia, Matricaria asteroides.
False Aster displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. False Aster produces daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, or lavender.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a False Aster?
Boltonia asteroides 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 False Aster Need?
False Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the False Aster Prefer?
Boltonia asteroides grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. False Aster prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a False Aster?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for False Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a False Aster?
Feed False 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 False 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 False Aster?
False Aster can be propagated through seeds, division.
Is the False Aster Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list False 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 False Aster?
False Aster is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. 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 False Aster Need?
False Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. False Aster is native to the United States and Canada. In cooler regions, grow False Aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
False 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 Boltonia genus — compare its care with other Boltonia species on PlantoScan.
Boltonia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
False 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: Boltonia asteroides L'Hér., family Asteraceae (first published in Sert. Angl. : 27 (1789)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list False 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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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