Repotting guide

When & how to repot Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite')

Also called Raydon's Favorite aromatic aster.

More about symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'

About Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite'

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' · also called Raydon's Favorite aromatic aster · flowering

'Raydon's Favorite' is an aromatic aster prized for a late-season blanket of lavender-blue, yellow-centered daisies in autumn. This tough, drought-tolerant North American native forms a mounded clump of fine, fragrant foliage, thrives in full sun and lean soil, and is a magnet for late-flying bees and butterflies. ASPCA-listed asters are non-toxic.

Mature size: 60-90 cm (2-3 ft) tall and 60-90 cm wide; pinching in early summer keeps it compact and self-supporting.

How to tell symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Mounding, bushy herbaceous perennial with arching, well-branched stems clothed in narrow, aromatic leaves; spreads slowly by short rhizomes to form broad, well-behaved clumps..

What size pot to step symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh average to lean, well-drained soil, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' wants average to lean, well-drained soil. Adaptable to clay, loam, sand and dry, rocky ground at pH 5.5-7.5. Sharp drainage is the key requirement; overly rich, wet soil produces lank growth and winter rot. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'. Only repot symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using average to lean, well-drained soil. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' need?

When is the best time of year to repot symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'?

Does symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' like to be root-bound?

Yes — symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'raydon's favorite'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.