Lavender aster
Symphyotrichum turbinellum
Last reviewed: November 2026
Lavender aster (Symphyotrichum turbinellum) is a perennial forb native to AR, IA, IL, KS and 4 more states. It blooms in September and October. The flowers draw bees and butterflies.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Lavender aster, free in the app.
Toxicity unknown
Lavender aster (Symphyotrichum turbinellum) 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
24"–48" H × 18"–30" W
Bloom
Sep, Oct
Native to
AR, IA, IL, KS and 4 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 461 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture 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 Lavender aster.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
An airy, upright prairie aster called prairie aster, with narrow leaves on wiry purplish stems and loose sprays of lavender-blue flowers in early fall. Grows on dry rocky prairie and glades.
Growing Lavender aster
Grow Lavender aster in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for pearl crescent.
An important fall nectar source for migrating monarchs and other butterflies, and a larval host for pearl crescent butterflies.
Common questions
- How much sun does Lavender aster need?
- Lavender aster grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Lavender aster bloom?
- Lavender aster blooms in September and October.
- Where is Lavender aster native?
- Lavender aster (Symphyotrichum turbinellum) is native to AR, IA, IL, KS and 4 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Lavender aster host?
- Lavender aster is a larval host plant for pearl crescent.
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 Lavender aster? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.