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Plant care

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' (Harrington's Pink aster) care

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink'

Also called Harrington's Pink aster, New England aster, Michaelmas daisy.

RHS H7USDA 4-8Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 100-150 cm tall

Watering rhythm

7-10days

When the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Average to moderately fertile, well-drained garden soil

Humidity

40-65%

Temp

-25 to 30°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

100-150 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Most houseplants will scorch where aster 'harrington's pink' thrives. Give it the windowsill you'd otherwise leave empty because everything else burned there. Full sun (6+ hours) is ideal for compact upright growth and prolific flowering. Tolerates light shade better than most New England asters but flowering is reduced and mildew risk increases. A plant moved abruptly from low light to direct sun bleaches in 48 hours — always acclimatise over a week.

Watering

Aim for when the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days for aster 'harrington's pink', but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Drought tolerant once established due to its deep root system. Water consistently in the first growing season. Avoid waterlogged positions, especially over winter when the plant is dormant.

Soil and pot

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' grows best in average to moderately fertile, well-drained garden soil. Lean to average soil is preferred; over-rich conditions produce tall, floppy growth. Tolerates clay, chalk, and sandy soils provided drainage is adequate. pH tolerance is 6.0–7.5. 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

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' sits happiest at around 40-65% humidity and -25 to 30°C (-13 to 86°F). More mildew-resistant than Symphyotrichum novi-belgii types, but airflow is still beneficial. Open, sunny border positions are best; avoid still, damp, enclosed spots. 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 aster 'harrington's pink' sparingly. Minimal feeding; a light balanced fertiliser in early spring is sufficient. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds — lean growing conditions maintain the upright habit and reduce disease pressure. 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 aster 'harrington's pink' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Stem lodging — One of the tallest New England asters; stake on exposed sites or use the Chelsea chop to reduce height by 30-40% in late May.
  • Powdery mildew — More resistant than novi-belgii but not immune; ensure full sun and airflow to minimise incidence.
  • Crown congestion — Central crowns become woody and unproductive after 2-3 years; divide regularly in spring.
  • Aphids — Appear on shoot tips in spring; treat early with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
  • Septoria leaf spot — Brown lesions on lower leaves in humid conditions; remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering.

Companion plants

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' pairs well with Helenium 'Waltraut', Pennisetum alopecuroides 'Hameln', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', and Miscanthus sinensis 'Flamingo'. 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 in spring every 2-3 years by lifting the clump and replanting vigorous outer portions; discard the woody centre. Basal cuttings taken in spring when shoots reach 8-10 cm also root readily in free-draining compost. 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

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' is mildly toxic to pets. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. As the genus is not confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA, treat as mildly toxic and prevent ingestion by pets as a precaution. 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.

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink'?

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' is most commonly called Aster 'Harrington's Pink', but it is also known as Harrington's Pink aster, New England aster, Michaelmas daisy. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Aster 'Harrington's Pink' apply identically to anything sold as Harrington's Pink aster.

How much light does aster 'harrington's pink' need?

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Full sun (6+ hours) is ideal for compact upright growth and prolific flowering. Tolerates light shade better than most New England asters but flowering is reduced and mildew risk increases.

How often should I water aster 'harrington's pink'?

Water aster 'harrington's pink' when the top 3-5 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7-10 days. Drought tolerant once established due to its deep root system. Water consistently in the first growing season. Avoid waterlogged positions, especially over winter when the plant is dormant. 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 aster 'harrington's pink' toxic to cats and dogs?

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' is mildly toxic to pets. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harrington's Pink' is not individually listed by the ASPCA as toxic or non-toxic. As the genus is not confirmed non-toxic by the ASPCA, treat as mildly toxic and prevent ingestion by pets as a precaution.

What USDA hardiness zone does aster 'harrington's pink' grow in?

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' is rated for USDA zone 4-8 and RHS hardiness H7. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of aster 'harrington's pink' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Aster 'Harrington's Pink' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Aster 'Harrington's Pink' is also known as Harrington's Pink aster, New England aster, and Michaelmas daisy.