Light

Asters do best in full sunlight, which helps keep their stems upright.

 

Water

Asters like soil that stays moist but drains well—too much water can cause root problems.

 

Fertilizer

Asters don’t need a lot of feeding. Too much fertilizer can reduce how long they bloom. Use a balanced fertilizer every two weeks from spring until the buds start to open, then stop feeding them by August.

 

Pruning

Around midsummer, trim the stems back by half to get more flowers in the fall. If you leave the flowers, they’ll self-seed. Leave the dead stems to protect the roots over winter and aid Iowa's wildlife.​