Appearance

Growth form

This upright annual usually grows 1–3 ft (30–90 cm) tall, though compact and tall cultivars are available.

Leaves

The leaves alternate along the stem and have irregularly toothed edges.

Flowers

The flower heads may be white, pink, red, purple, or blue-purple. Cultivars can have a visible yellow center or so many ray florets that the center is hidden.

Look-alikes

Images coming soon

garden mumChrysanthemum morifolium

Garden mums are perennials with distinctly lobed or coarsely toothed leaves. Chinese aster is an annual with alternate, oval to diamond-shaped leaves and shallower teeth.

Why they get mixed up · Double cultivars of both plants can form dense, rounded flower heads.

common zinniaZinnia elegans

Zinnia has rough, broad leaves in opposite pairs with little or no leaf stalk. Chinese aster has alternate, toothed leaves.

Why they get mixed up · Both are colorful warm-season annuals with daisy-family flower heads.

Where it lives

Typical habitats

• flower beds
• cutting gardens
• containers

Range

It is native to China and is grown as an ornamental in the United States.

Preferred conditions

It grows best in rich, evenly moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Good air flow helps keep the foliage healthy.

Life cycle

Reproduction

It is an annual grown from seed.

Growing it

Care

Start it from seed indoors or sow it in the garden. Keep the soil moist, and stake tall plants if they begin to lean.

Name and classification

About the name

It was formerly called Aster chinensis.

Varieties and forms

Cultivars vary widely in height, flower size, color, and single or double flower form.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

NENot Evaluated·Not yet assessed

Culture and stories

Culture and stories

• The name Callistephus combines Greek words referring to a beautiful crown, a nod to the showy flower head.