Dixie Aster
Sericocarpus tortifolius
Last reviewed: August 2026
Sericocarpus tortifolius, or Dixie aster, blooms from August through October with small white flower clusters and grows well in full sun with low water in sandy, well drained pine woodland and coastal plain soils.
Toxicity unknown
Dixie Aster (Sericocarpus tortifolius) 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
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–24" H × 8"–16" W
Bloom
Aug, Sep, Oct
Native to
AL, FL, GA, LA and 3 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies, beetles
Before you buy
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Dixie aster is a compact native wildflower that produces clusters of small white daisy-like blooms from late summer through fall. This drought-tolerant perennial forms neat clumps and goes dormant in winter, returning each spring with fresh growth.
Growing Dixie Aster
Grow Dixie Aster in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 8 to 16 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Dixie Aster is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, foundation.
- Goes completely dormant in winter
- Small flowers may appear weedy to some
Wildlife value
The late-season flowers provide important nectar for bees, butterflies, and beetles when many other plants have finished blooming. This makes it particularly valuable for supporting pollinators preparing for winter.
Common questions
- When does Dixie aster bloom?
- Dixie aster blooms from August through October, producing clusters of small white ray flowers on wiry upright stems.
- What growing conditions suit Dixie aster best?
- Dixie aster prefers full sun to lightly shaded sites and low water once established, tolerating the dry, sandy, well drained soils common in pine flatwoods and coastal plain uplands.
- What pollinators visit Dixie aster flowers?
- Bees, butterflies, and beetles regularly visit Dixie aster flowers to feed on nectar and pollen during its late summer to fall bloom period.
- Is Dixie aster a good choice for a low maintenance garden bed?
- Yes, because it tolerates low water and dry, sandy soil, Dixie aster works well in low maintenance beds that receive full sun for most of the day.
- Is Dixie Aster HOA-friendly?
- Dixie Aster is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Dixie Aster? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz