Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum)

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

Georgia aster Plant Care

Symphyotrichum georgianum (Alexander) G.L.Nesom

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Symphyotrichum georgianum (formerly Aster georgianus) is a rare species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae, the aster family. Its common name is Georgia aster. It is native to the southeastern United States where it is known from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. As of 2013, it may be extirpated from the state of Florida.

🌱Herbs🌼Perennials🌻Annuals
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Georgia aster?

Water Georgia 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 Georgia aster Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Georgia aster?

Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Symphyotrichum genus. Georgia aster is native to the southeastern United States. Georgia aster is also known as Aster georgianus, Aster patens, Virgulus georgianus.

Georgia aster displays an upright, bushy perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Georgia aster produces daisy-like flowers in various colors like purple, blue, pink, and white.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Georgia aster?

Symphyotrichum georgianum 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 Georgia aster Need?

Georgia aster thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Georgia aster Prefer?

Symphyotrichum georgianum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Georgia aster prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Georgia aster?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Georgia aster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Georgia aster?

Feed Georgia 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 Georgia aster?

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 Georgia aster?

Georgia aster can be propagated through division, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pineywoods aster plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Georgia aster Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Georgia 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 Georgia aster?

Georgia aster 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Georgia aster Need?

Georgia aster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Georgia aster is native to the southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Georgia aster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Georgia 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 Symphyotrichum genus — compare its care with other Symphyotrichum species on PlantoScan.

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

Georgia aster thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Symphyotrichum Species

Other Symphyotrichum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Symphyotrichum georgianum (Alexander) G.L.Nesom, family Asteraceae (first published in Phytologia 77: 282 (1995)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Georgia 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: Biosthmors, CC BY-SA 4.0, 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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