Japanese Aster Plant Care
Kalimeris yomena (Kitam.) Kitam.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aster yomena, the kalimeris or Japanese aster, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Korea and Japan. Locals occasionally collect its young leaves and cook them as a leaf vegetable.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Japanese Aster?
Water Japanese 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 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Japanese Aster Native To?
What Is the Japanese Aster?
Japanese Aster (Kalimeris yomena) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Kalimeris genus. Japanese Aster is native to Korea and Japan.
Japanese Aster displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Japanese Aster produces daisy-like flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Japanese Aster?
Kalimeris yomena 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 Japanese Aster Need?
Japanese Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Japanese Aster Prefer?
Kalimeris yomena grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Japanese Aster prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Japanese Aster?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Japanese Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Japanese Aster?
Feed Japanese 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 Japanese 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 Japanese Aster?
Japanese Aster can be propagated through division, stem cuttings.
Is the Japanese Aster Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Japanese 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 Japanese Aster?
Japanese Aster is susceptible to aphids, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Japanese Aster Need?
Japanese Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Japanese Aster is native to Korea and Japan. In cooler regions, grow Japanese Aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Japanese 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 Kalimeris genus (family Asteraceae) — search all Kalimeris species in the plant lookup.
Japanese 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: Kalimeris yomena (Kitam.) Kitam., family Asteraceae (first published in Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 6: 51 (1937)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Japanese 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 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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