Overwintering guide
How to overwinter prairie heart-leaved aster
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills prairie heart-leaved aster in winter
Cutting prairie heart-leaved aster hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More prairie heart-leaved aster care
Overwintering prairie heart-leaved aster — FAQ
Does prairie heart-leaved aster need to come indoors for winter?
Prairie Heart-Leaved Aster is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Prairie Heart-Leaved Aster is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move prairie heart-leaved aster for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water prairie heart-leaved aster in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills prairie heart-leaved aster over winter?
Cutting prairie heart-leaved aster hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.