Lehto's Goldenaster Plant Care

Lehto's Goldenaster (Chrysactinia lehtoae) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Chrysactinia genus. Lehto's Goldenaster is native to northwestern Mexico, found only in pine-oak forests in northern Sinaloa. Lehto's Goldenaster is also known as Lehto's bristleweed.

Lehto's Goldenaster displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lehto's Goldenaster produces small yellow daisy-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lehto's Goldenaster every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Lehto's Goldenaster thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Chrysactinia lehtoae tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Lehto's Goldenaster prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Lehto's Goldenaster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lehto's Goldenaster every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite for good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lehto's Goldenaster is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Lehto's Goldenaster can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Lehto's Goldenaster while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Lehto's Goldenaster is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Lehto's Goldenaster can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mexican daisy plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Lehto's Goldenaster is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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.

Lehto's Goldenaster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lehto's Goldenaster is native to northwestern Mexico, found only in pine-oak forests in northern Sinaloa. In cooler regions, grow Lehto's Goldenaster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.