Photo: Kurt Stüber [1]CC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Stokes' Aster Plant Care
Stokesia laevis (Hill) Greene
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Carthamus laevis
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Stokes' Aster?
Water Stokes' 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 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Stokes' Aster Native To?
What Is the Stokes' Aster?
Stokes' Aster (Stokesia laevis) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Stokesia genus. Stokes' Aster is native to the southeastern United States. Stokes' Aster is also known as Cornflower Aster, Blue Aster, Carthamus laevis.
Stokes' Aster displays a clump-forming perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Stokes' Aster produces daisy-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stokes' Aster?
Stokesia laevis 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 Stokes' Aster Need?
Stokes' Aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stokes' Aster Prefer?
Stokesia laevis grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Stokes' Aster prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stokes' Aster?
Well-draining, fertile soil with a mix of loam, sand, and organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Stokes' Aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stokes' Aster?
Feed Stokes' 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 Stokes' Aster?
Divide clumps 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 Stokes' Aster?
Stokes' Aster can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Stokes' Aster Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stokes' 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 Stokes' Aster?
Stokes' Aster is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. 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 Stokes' Aster Need?
Stokes' Aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Stokes' Aster is native to the southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Stokes' Aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Stokes' 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 Stokesia genus — compare its care with other Stokesia species on PlantoScan.
Stokesia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Stokes' 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: Stokesia laevis (Hill) Greene, family Asteraceae (first published in Erythea 1: 3 (1893)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stokes' 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.
- Photo: Kurt Stüber [1], CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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