Mums, short for chrysanthemums, are classic fall flowers that bring a pop of color to gardens, porches, and patios. These hardy perennials come in various shades, including orange, yellow, bronze, pink, red, purple, and white. As Daisy’s family members, mums can be planted in either spring or fall and bloom for several weeks with the proper care. Originally from China, they adapt well to different soil types as long as they have good drainage to prevent their shallow roots from rotting. Whether planted in a garden bed or a decorative container, mums are a great way to add seasonal charm to your outdoor space.
Caring for mums is simple and rewarding. These resilient plants thrive in late summer and early fall, making them a favorite for brightening landscapes as the seasons change. They’ll stay healthy, last longer, and even return for another stunning display next year with proper care!
How To Choose Mums
Start with healthy mums from a trusted garden center or local nursery for the best results. Look for plants with lots of buds and avoid any with wilted leaves or signs of disease.
How To Plant Mums
When planting mums, choose a spot with at least six hours of sunlight daily to ensure they produce plenty of vibrant blooms. They thrive in well-draining soil with good air circulation, so mix in some compost or manure to help improve drainage.
Look for a well-drained area in your garden or yard with full sun. Mums prefer slightly acidic soil enriched with organic matter, so work in 2 to 4 inches of compost or manure before planting. If you’re growing smaller varieties, wait until after the last frost in spring. Larger varieties can be planted in either spring or fall.
When planting, place mums at the same depth they were in their original containers—don’t plant them deeper. If you’re planting multiple mums, space them about 18 to 24 inches apart to give them room to grow. After planting, water them well to help the roots settle into the soil.
How To Care For Mums
Watering and Mulching
Right after planting, give your mums a deep watering to help the soil settle around their roots. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, watering about once a week during the growing season. In the summer, ensure the water reaches 6 to 8 inches deep to keep the roots hydrated. Avoid overwatering or letting water pool around the base, which can lead to root rot.
As temperatures drop in late fall (around November or December), spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of coarse mulch around the plants to help insulate the roots. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems to prevent rot.
Water your mums only when the soil starts to dry out. Instead of frequent, light watering, soak the soil about 5 to 6 inches to encourage strong root growth and prevent disease. Adding 2 to 3 inches of mulch in the summer helps retain soil moisture.
Once winter sets in and your mums stop blooming, add more mulch (about 4 to 6 inches total) to protect them from the cold. Once the soil freezes, use hay, evergreen boughs, or shredded leaves as mulch to help your mums return strong next year.
Pruning for Healthier Blooms
To keep your mums full, bushy, and packed with flowers, pinch back the top ½ inch to 1 inch of each new shoot. If you skip this step, mums can grow tall and spindly with fewer blooms. Start pinching when the plants reach about 6 inches tall, and continue doing it until late June or early July. Pinching two to four times throughout the season helps create a more compact plant with plenty of flowers.
If you’re aiming for big, standout blooms, remove the smaller buds on each shoot and leave only the largest one. This technique allows the plant to put all its energy into producing fewer but much bigger flowers.
For even better results, start pinching back new shoots when the mums are about 3 to 4 inches tall. Pinch off the tips down to the nearest leaf, keeping two to three leaves per shoot. Repeat this process through midsummer. The best times to pinch mums are mid-June and again mid-July for the best shape and bloom production.
Feeding Your Mums
Feed spring-planted mums with a water-soluble fertilizer once a month until July. Stop fertilizing by mid to late July to prevent late-season growth, which can weaken the plant. If you’re planting mums in the fall, you can skip the fertilizer altogether.
In the spring, use a dry, balanced fertilizer for hardy garden mums (about 3 to 4 pounds per 100 feet). After applying, water it in to help the nutrients soak into the soil. Always follow the application rate on your fertilizer package, and stop fertilizing once you start seeing flower buds form.
Keeping Pests Away
Keep an eye on both sides of the leaves and flowers for pests like caterpillars, spider mites, and aphids. If you spot any, spray the plant with soap and water or use an insecticide. You can pick caterpillars off by hand with tweezers.
Thankfully, mums usually don’t have significant pest issues, so chemical treatments are rarely needed. But if pests become a problem, you can use a general-purpose insecticide spray or dust. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
Getting Ready For Winter
As late August rolls around, you can pinch back new growth to encourage bushier mums with more flower buds. Stop pinching by early summer so the plants have enough time to develop buds. Once late summer and fall arrive, keep up with regular watering and fertilizing to support those beautiful blooms.
When colder weather starts, it’s time to prep your mums for winter. After the first frost, trim the old stems and foliage to about 4-6 inches above the ground. Adding mulch or wood chips around the base will help insulate the roots and protect your mums through winter.
How To Care For Mums (Potted)
Keep your potted mum in a bright spot near a window indoors, but avoid direct sunlight to prevent the leaves from getting scorched. The ideal temperature for keeping it healthy is between 60-65°F at night and 70-80°F during the day.
Check the soil daily to keep it evenly moist, but don’t let it get soggy. Water regularly, but ensure the pot isn’t sitting in standing water, which can lead to root rot.
Look for dead leaves or faded blooms and remove them immediately to prevent pests and disease from spreading.
Once your mum stops blooming and the flowers fade, you can toss the plant or move it outside if the weather suits you.
Whether growing them in the garden or a pot, caring for mums is easy and rewarding. These vibrant flowers will brighten your space for weeks with the right amount of sunlight, well-draining soil, and regular watering. A little pruning and seasonal care go a long way in keeping them healthy and full of blooms. Whether you enjoy them as a seasonal decoration or hope to see them return next year, following these simple care tips will help your mums thrive!