Aster-like Tansy (Machaeranthera asteroides)

Photo: MiwasatoshiCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Aster-like Tansy Plant Care

Machaeranthera asteroides (Torr.) Greene

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Machaeranthera asteroides, the fall tansyaster, is a North American species of plants in the sunflower family. It is native to the southwestern United States (California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah) and northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Sonora, Baja California).

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Light

Full sun to partial shade

At a glance

How do you care for Aster-like Tansy?

Aster-like Tansy grows best in full sun to partial shade.

Where Is the Aster-like Tansy Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Aster-like Tansy?

Aster-like Tansy (Machaeranthera asteroides) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Machaeranthera genus. Aster-like Tansy is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Aster-like Tansy is also known as Aster canescens, Aster tephrodes, Machaeranthera asteroides.

Aster-like Tansy displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Aster-like Tansy produces daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, blue, or white.

What Light Does the Aster-like Tansy Need?

Aster-like Tansy thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aster-like Tansy?

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

How Do You Repot a Aster-like Tansy?

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 Aster-like Tansy?

Aster-like Tansy can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tanacetifolia aster plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Aster-like Tansy Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Aster-like Tansy, 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 Aster-like Tansy?

Aster-like Tansy is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. 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.

Keep exploring plants

Aster-like Tansy 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 Machaeranthera genus — compare its care with other Machaeranthera species on PlantoScan.

Machaeranthera is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.

Aster-like Tansy 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: Machaeranthera asteroides (Torr.) Greene, family Asteraceae (first published in Pittonia 3(14): 63 (1896)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aster-like Tansy, 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: Miwasatoshi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • 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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