How much sun does Crooked stem aster need?

Crooked stem aster grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Crooked stem aster bloom?

Crooked stem aster blooms in August, September, and October.

Where is Crooked stem aster native?

Crooked stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) is native to CT, DC, DE, IA and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Crooked stem aster host?

Crooked stem aster is a larval host plant for pearl crescent.

Crooked stem aster

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Symphyotrichum prenanthoides

Last reviewed: October 2026

Crooked stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) is a perennial forb native to CT, DC, DE, IA and 15 more states. It blooms in August, September, and October. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.

Toxicity unknown

Crooked stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

24"–48" H × 18"–30" W

Bloom

Aug, Sep, Oct

Native to

CT, DC, DE, IA and 15 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Crooked stem aster.

Try it with your yard

A late-blooming aster called crooked-stem aster, with zigzagging stems and clasping leaves, topped by loose sprays of pale lavender flowers in fall. Grows along woodland edges and moist thickets.

Growing Crooked stem aster

Grow Crooked stem aster in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for pearl crescent.

A key late-season nectar source for bees and migrating butterflies, and a larval host for pearl crescent butterflies.

Common questions

How much sun does Crooked stem aster need?: Crooked stem aster grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Crooked stem aster bloom?: Crooked stem aster blooms in August, September, and October.
Where is Crooked stem aster native?: Crooked stem aster (Symphyotrichum prenanthoides) is native to CT, DC, DE, IA and 15 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Crooked stem aster host?: Crooked stem aster is a larval host plant for pearl crescent.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Crooked stem aster? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app