China Aster in Zone 2a & 2b
Callistephus chinensis
Yes, China aster grows in zones 2a and 2b. Start seeds indoors Apr 1–Apr 8 and plant out May 27–Jun 3.
When to plant China aster in zone 2b
Zones 2a and 2b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 27–Jun 3 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 25–Sep 1 (~90 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1.5-2.5 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 2b
These go outside within two weeks of China aster in zone 2b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 27–Jun 3
- MarigoldMay 27–Jun 3
- Ageratum (Flossflower)May 27–Jun 3
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)May 27–Jun 3
- Campanula (Bellflower)May 27–Jun 3
- CelosiaMay 27–Jun 3
China aster is not related to the perennial garden asters despite the common name; it's a true annual grown from seed each year for its full, peony-like cut-flower blooms.
How China aster fits zone 2's season
Zone 2b's frost-free window runs about 104 days, from May 20 to September 1. China aster needs about 90 days from transplant to first bloom.
China Aster planting windows in every zone
Zone 2b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b (your zone) | Apr 1–Apr 8 | May 27–Jun 3 | Aug 25–Sep 1 |
| 3a & 3b | Apr 11–Apr 18 | Jun 6–Jun 13 | Sep 4–Sep 11 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 27–Apr 3 | May 22–May 29 | Aug 20–Aug 27 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 22–Mar 29 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 15–Aug 22 |
| 6a & 6b | Mar 7–Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 31–Aug 7 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 20–Feb 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 16–Jul 23 |
| 8a & 8b | Feb 4–Feb 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 30–Jul 7 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 28–Jan 4 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 23–May 30 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 12–Dec 19 | Feb 6–Feb 13 | May 7–May 14 |
| 11a & 11b | Nov 13–Nov 20 | Jan 8–Jan 15 | Apr 8–Apr 15 |
Bloom dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for China aster.
Where to buy China aster seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries China aster seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing China aster" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 2b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing China Aster in USDA zone 2b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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