Asters

Basic Information

Seed Number

135

Seed Name

Asters

Variety

Krallen Dark Purple

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

China aster (Callistephus chinensis)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 10

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jun 15

Plantable Months

March, April, May, June

Indoor Start

Mar 10 – Mar 24

Direct Sow

May 6 – Jun 15

Transplant

Apr 21 – May 31

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

8 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

Not recorded

Germination Days

10–14 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

14 days

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

65-72°F

Planting Depth

1/8 in

Plant Spacing

6-12 in

Row Spacing

12-18 in

Thin-To Spacing

6-12 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Keep soil consistently moist but well drained; avoid prolonged leaf wetness

Soil Preference

Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with good airflow; approximately pH 5.5-7.5

Minimum Container Size

2-3 gal

Plant Height

Not recorded

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

No

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 1 – Jun 20
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 90–120 days to bloom
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Mostly ornamental
Succession / Reusable Notes: Start indoors for earlier blooms.
Zone 6B Notes: Good late-season pollinator flower.
Companion Plants: Calendula, zinnias, marigolds, yarrow, echinacea, herbs, pollinator beds
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowding/wet foliage
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: China asters prefer the cooler portions of the growing season. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before May 5 or direct sow after frost. Avoid planting China asters repeatedly in the same bed because soilborne aster wilt can persist.
Germination: Sow 1/8 inch deep at approximately 70-72°F. Germination generally takes 10-14 days.
Harvest: Harvest for bouquets when flowers are approximately one-quarter to one-half open. China asters have good vase life when harvested into clean water.
Seed Saving: Allow selected flower heads to mature and dry. China asters are insect-pollinated and different cultivars can cross.
Special Care: The exact commercial cultivar name 'Krallen Dark Purple' could not be matched to a sufficiently authoritative current cultivar listing. The name is treated as a dark-purple China aster, but variety-specific maturity, height and flower-form measurements are intentionally left null.
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/aster/china-aster-key-growing-information.html — Callistephus chinensis culture, 10-14 day germination, 70-72°F temperature, 1/8-inch sowing depth, 6-8 week indoor start, direct sowing, full sun and disease precautions
Research Source: Better Homes & Gardens — https://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/china-aster/ — China aster annual habit, 10-15 day germination, 65-70°F temperature, 6-12 inch spacing, rich well-drained soil and cut-flower use
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]