Blooming from September to October, Symphyotrichum lateriflorum prefers full sun to part shade and moist to dry soils. Growing 2–3' tall with a 1.5–2.5' above-ground spread, it provides habitat for Pearl Crescent butterflies, sweat bees, Syrphid Flies, and predatory Thread-waisted Wasps. It is a bushy, clump-forming perennial that spreads by prolific self-seeding