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Native Plant Society of Texas

Calico Aster

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Other common name(s):

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

4
to
5
ft.

Spread

4
to
4
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Purple

Bloom Season

Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Best growth in moist, semi-shaded woodland areas. Tolerates occasional flooding and various soil types. Works well in borders or mass planting. Native habitat: forest margins, stream borders, low wet woods, meadows, wet depressions of prairies, and roadsides. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms August-October. Long horizontal branches spread out from the main stem. Leaves are rough, narrow, with toothed margins, turning coppery in late summer. They significantly decrease in size as they ascend the stems. Small white flowers bloom in clusters along the branches. Each flower has 8-15 white to purple-tinged rays which surround a central disc of 8-16 tiny tubular disk flowers, which mature to purplish-red. The fruit is an achene that is distributed by wind.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Aster lateriflorus

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump division Division Water the Plant: Thoroughly water the plant the day before you plan to divide it. This helps reduce stress on the roots. Dig Carefully: Use a spade or garden fork to dig around the plant, being cautious not to damage the roots. Lift the Clump: Gently lift the clump from the ground, taking care to keep the root ball intact. Separate Sections: Divide the clump into smaller sections, ideally with 3-4 stems each. Replant Immediately: Place the divisions back into the soil at the same depth they were originally growing. This ensures they adapt quickly to their new home. Timing is crucial for successful division. Aim for early spring or fall when your calico aster plants are not actively blooming. https://greg.app/propagate-calico-aster/#:~:text=Best%20Time%20to%20Propagate%20%F0%9F%8C%B1,summer%20is%20your%20best%20bet.
Seed No Treatment Weather conditions play a significant role in propagation success. Avoid extreme heat or frost, as these can hinder growth and damage delicate seedlings or cuttings. Soil temperature is another critical factor. Ensure the soil is warm enough to promote seed germination and rooting. A consistent, suitable temperature creates an environment where your Calico Aster can thrive. For seeds, aim to collect them in late summer to early fall, then sow them during winter for optimal growth. When seedlings have two sets of true leaves, harden off to gradually acclimate them to the outdoors. Set them outside for a few hours a day for three or four days. Then transplant seedlings to the garden. 1) https://greg.app/propagate-calico-aster/#:~:text=Best%20Time%20to%20Propagate%20%F0%9F%8C%B1,summer%20is%20your%20best%20bet. 2) https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-calico-aster/#Propagation 3) https://www.fellabees.com/shop/p/56c8zhm059g5gdos0p21ee3kxs5sqj
Stem Cutting Dip the stem in powdered rooting hormone, and place it two to three inches deep in potting medium, in a container with good drainage. Keep the rooting stem out of direct sunlight, and maintain even moisture. You can make a mini greenhouse by covering the container with a plastic bag. This promotes condensation and keeps the growing environment moist. To take a stem cutting, use clean, sharp pruners to cut a 6 to 7-inch stem of soft, new growth in the spring or summer. Remove the leaves from the bottom three or four inches. https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-calico-aster/#Propagation

Calico Aster

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Other names:

Family:

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

Characteristics
Growth Form:
Herbaceous
Height:
4
to
5
ft.
Spread:
4
to
4
ft.
Leaf Retention:
Deciduous
Lifespan:
Perennial
Soil:
Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist
Light:
Sun, Part Shade
Water:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian
Photo Credit: Reveal, James L., https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=74468
Photo Credit: Brundage, Stephanie, https://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=84362
East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Floodplains and Low Terraces3, Pleistocene Fluvial Terraces, Red River Bottomlands, Southern Tertiary Uplands, Tertiary Uplands
Color:
White, Purple
Season:
Fall
Seasonal Interest:
Fall Color, Nectar, Pollen
Wildlife Benefit:
Butterflies, Bees
Low maintenance. Best growth in moist, semi-shaded woodland areas. Tolerates occasional flooding and various soil types. Works well in borders or mass planting. Native habitat: forest margins, stream borders, low wet woods, meadows, wet depressions of prairies, and roadsides. Propagation: seed.
Blooms August-October. Long horizontal branches spread out from the main stem. Leaves are rough, narrow, with toothed margins, turning coppery in late summer. They significantly decrease in size as they ascend the stems. Small white flowers bloom in clusters along the branches. Each flower has 8-15 white to purple-tinged rays which surround a central disc of 8-16 tiny tubular disk flowers, which mature to purplish-red. The fruit is an achene that is distributed by wind.

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Clump division Division Water the Plant: Thoroughly water the plant the day before you plan to divide it. This helps reduce stress on the roots. Dig Carefully: Use a spade or garden fork to dig around the plant, being cautious not to damage the roots. Lift the Clump: Gently lift the clump from the ground, taking care to keep the root ball intact. Separate Sections: Divide the clump into smaller sections, ideally with 3-4 stems each. Replant Immediately: Place the divisions back into the soil at the same depth they were originally growing. This ensures they adapt quickly to their new home. Timing is crucial for successful division. Aim for early spring or fall when your calico aster plants are not actively blooming. https://greg.app/propagate-calico-aster/#:~:text=Best%20Time%20to%20Propagate%20%F0%9F%8C%B1,summer%20is%20your%20best%20bet.
Seed No Treatment Weather conditions play a significant role in propagation success. Avoid extreme heat or frost, as these can hinder growth and damage delicate seedlings or cuttings. Soil temperature is another critical factor. Ensure the soil is warm enough to promote seed germination and rooting. A consistent, suitable temperature creates an environment where your Calico Aster can thrive. For seeds, aim to collect them in late summer to early fall, then sow them during winter for optimal growth. When seedlings have two sets of true leaves, harden off to gradually acclimate them to the outdoors. Set them outside for a few hours a day for three or four days. Then transplant seedlings to the garden. 1) https://greg.app/propagate-calico-aster/#:~:text=Best%20Time%20to%20Propagate%20%F0%9F%8C%B1,summer%20is%20your%20best%20bet. 2) https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-calico-aster/#Propagation 3) https://www.fellabees.com/shop/p/56c8zhm059g5gdos0p21ee3kxs5sqj
Stem Cutting Dip the stem in powdered rooting hormone, and place it two to three inches deep in potting medium, in a container with good drainage. Keep the rooting stem out of direct sunlight, and maintain even moisture. You can make a mini greenhouse by covering the container with a plastic bag. This promotes condensation and keeps the growing environment moist. To take a stem cutting, use clean, sharp pruners to cut a 6 to 7-inch stem of soft, new growth in the spring or summer. Remove the leaves from the bottom three or four inches. https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/grow-calico-aster/#Propagation
Previous Scientific Name(s): Aster lateriflorus

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason