Mexican Climbing Aster Plant Care

Mexican Climbing Aster (Hidalgoa ternata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Hidalgoa genus. Mexican Climbing Aster is native to areas of the tropics in the Americas. Mexican Climbing Aster is also known as Hidalgoa breedlovei, Hidalgoa lessingii, Hidalgoa pentamera.

Mexican Climbing Aster displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mexican Climbing Aster produces small daisy-like flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mexican Climbing Aster every 7–10 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.

Mexican Climbing Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Hidalgoa ternata tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Mexican Climbing Aster prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mexican Climbing Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mexican Climbing Aster 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 loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mexican Climbing Aster is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

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.

Mexican Climbing Aster can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Mexican Climbing Aster 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.

Mexican Climbing Aster is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Mexican Climbing Aster can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.

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

Mexican Climbing 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.

Mexican Climbing Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Mexican Climbing Aster is native to areas of the tropics in the Americas. In cooler regions, grow Mexican Climbing Aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.