Chrysanthemums, or "mums," are a bright display of color and a welcome addition to any garden or porch. Commonly used in fall for their beautiful blooms, mums are perennials. Part of the aster or daisy family, the Chrysanthemum genus has over 200 types! Home gardeners all over opt to include these flowers in their landscaping.

Here is a guide to all things mums!

Soil and Fertilization

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Mums are great plants, considering their easy-growing nature and hardiness. Chrysanthemums thrive in well-draining, fertile soil that isn't too packed. If there is too much clay or compaction, consider adding organic material such as peat moss, compost, or straw. These additions improve the drainage and aeration of the soil, helping avoid root rot and disease.

Mums will benefit from frequent fertilization throughout their growing season, keeping the plants healthy, colorful, and blooming. As a light feeder, dilute the amount of fertilizer used compared to heavy feeders, such as vegetables. Consider applying the diluted fertilizer several times throughout the growing season before the bud set. Be careful to use only a little, as it can cause too much growth and fewer flowers to bloom.

Planting and Location

planting mum into pot

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With prepared and fertilized soil, it is time to plant your mums! Plant Chrysanthemums by seed, cutting, or purchasing a plant through a local nursery.

When choosing a location for mums, whether in a pot or the garden, place the plant in a spot with direct sunlight for six hours or so a day. Signs of inadequate sunlight are weak growth and few blooms; if this is occurring, find a new home for your mums!

If you want them to come back year after year, the best time to plant mums is spring. If planting from seed, consider starting in an indoor pot over winter.

Space your mums about 18 inches apart and give six weeks or so to allow a hardy root system to take hold before any extreme hot or cold temperatures occur. When planting a mature mum into the ground or pot, avoid burying the root ball. Mums have a shallow root system and so growing this way helps to keep the roots dry and avoid rot.

Water

Steel Watering Can Watering

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As a shallow-rooted plant, watering is essential to keep mums thriving. Early in the growing season, water mums about an inch a week, increasing the amount as they grow bigger and bloom. The well-draining soil will keep the roots free of rot and disease; however, in times of high heat or drought, this can cause the plant to get too dry. Make sure to water a tad more frequently at these points in the year.

Pro Tip: When grown in a pot, note that 2 to 3 inches of dry topsoil means the mum requires more water!

Pinching

Chrysanthemum flowers pruning

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Pinching is a technique to help mums thrive and create healthy, full blooms. Simply pinch off the last inch of the shoot or branch. Depending on the variety and speed of growth, pinch two to three times during the growing season when the plant is 6 to 8 inches tall. Time your last pinch to about 100 days before blooming. If you don't pinch, your mums will grow tall and spindly, with few blooms, making them susceptible to strong winds.

Overwintering

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When mums have established root systems in the ground, it is possible to leave them to overwinter in warmer climates. However, precautions, such as ground covering to protect the roots, are necessary. The mum's shallow root ball will be susceptible to cold temperature fluctuations.

Protect garden mums in the ground by mounding the soil around the base of the plant and trimming the stems to 10 inches above the soil line. Once the ground has frozen, apply a 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as straw or other light materials. Choosing lightweight mulch materials instead of mulch like leaves or compost is essential as the latter can compact and suffocate new growth in the spring. Once the risk of frost has passed, remove the soil and mulch used for protection.

Overwintering your mums inside is a good idea if you live in zone 4 or colder. Once the flowers of a potted mum fade, bring them indoors and keep them in a cool and well-lit location. A cool temperature helps the potted mum climatize to the indoor temperature and keeps it fairly close in temperature for when it is ready to go back outdoors in spring.

Tips to Thrive

Chrysanthemums for fall garden

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As an easy-growing plant, mums do not require too much care. However, here are a few things to note to help your mums live their best lives.

  • Consider moving your mum to a new location after a few years, as this helps prevent pests and disease.
  • Divide mums in the springtime every three to five years, as overcrowding can stunt your plant's growth.
  • Avoid planting mature mums in the fall; they will bloom but have little energy left to get winter-ready.

Mum's the Word

There are no secrets here; taking care of and helping your mums thrive is easy! From ensuring sunshine and plenty of food to replanting every few years, with a few considerations, you'll have healthy, colorful, and thriving mums blooming in your landscape.

Do you have mums on your porch or in your garden? Share any tips you've learned in the comments below!