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Plant care

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' (Aromatic Aster) care

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

Also called Aromatic Aster, Fall Aster, Wild Blue Aster.

RHS H7USDA 3-9Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 60-90 cm tall

Watering rhythm

10-14days

When the top 4-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 10-14 days once established

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Free-draining, lean, well-drained loam to sandy loam

Humidity

30-55%

Temp

-30-35°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

60-90 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Full sun is preferred for maximum flowering and compact, self-supporting habit. Tolerates light afternoon shade but may become slightly lax with fewer blooms. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' when the top 4-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 10-14 days once established. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Once established, this species is notably drought-tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings. In its first season, water more frequently to aid establishment. Avoid waterlogging.

Soil and pot

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' grows best in free-draining, lean, well-drained loam to sandy loam. Thrives in poor, well-drained soils that would exhaust other asters. Rich, fertile soil encourages floppy growth. Avoid heavy clay; improve drainage with grit if necessary. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' sits happiest at around 30-55% humidity and -30-35°C (-22-95°F). Native to dry prairies and rocky slopes, it tolerates low humidity well. Excellent mildew resistance makes it reliable in humid summers too; good air circulation still helps. If you keep the room above year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' sparingly. Little fertiliser is needed — a light top-dressing of compost in spring is usually sufficient. Over-feeding with nitrogen produces tall, floppy growth; this species actually performs best in lean conditions. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Flopping in rich soil — Excess fertility causes lanky, sprawling stems; grow in lean, free-draining soil and avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
  • Crown rot in wet winters — Excellent drainage is essential; in heavy soils, plant on a slight mound or incorporate grit to prevent crown saturation.
  • Clump die-out — Lift and divide every 3-4 years in spring to maintain vigour and prevent central dieback.
  • Late frosts — Early emerging shoots can be damaged by late spring frosts; protect with fleece if a frost is forecast after buds appear.

Companion plants

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' pairs well with Schizachyrium scoparium, Echinacea pallida, Solidago speciosa, and Liatris spicata. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Divide clumps in early spring, replanting vigorous sections into refreshed soil. Stem-tip cuttings taken in late spring root readily and produce true-to-type plants. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' is mildly toxic to pets. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium is not individually listed by the ASPCA; as an aster species it is considered mildly toxic to dogs and cats and ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. Consult a vet if ingestion is suspected. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Symphyotrichum oblongifolium?

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium is most commonly called Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite', but it is also known as Aromatic Aster, Fall Aster, Wild Blue Aster. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' apply identically to anything sold as Aromatic Aster.

How much light does aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' need?

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun is preferred for maximum flowering and compact, self-supporting habit. Tolerates light afternoon shade but may become slightly lax with fewer blooms.

How often should I water aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite'?

Water aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' when the top 4-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 10-14 days once established. Once established, this species is notably drought-tolerant and prefers to dry out between waterings. In its first season, water more frequently to aid establishment. Avoid waterlogging. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' toxic to cats and dogs?

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' is mildly toxic to pets. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium is not individually listed by the ASPCA; as an aster species it is considered mildly toxic to dogs and cats and ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. Consult a vet if ingestion is suspected.

What USDA hardiness zone does aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' grow in?

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' is rated for USDA zone 3-9 and RHS hardiness H7. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of aromatic aster 'raydon's favorite' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' qualifies for 5 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Aromatic Aster 'Raydon's Favorite' is also known as Aromatic Aster, Fall Aster, and Wild Blue Aster.