Chrysanthemum: Learn How To Plant, Care and Grow Magnificent Flowers

Mums, Chrysanths, Decorative Chrysanthemum, Pompon Chrysanthemum, Single Chrysanthemum, Double Chrysanthemum, Anemone Chrysanthemum, Quill Chrysanthemum, Spider Chrysanthemum, Irregular Incurve Chrysanthemum, Reflex Chrysanthemum, Regular Incurve Chrysanthemum, Intermediate Incurve, Spoon Chrysanthemum, Brush or Thistle Chrysanthemum, Exotic or Unclassified Chrysanthemum

Mums, Chrysanths, Hardy Mums, Garden Mums, Perennial Mums, Decorative Chrysanthemum, Pompon Chrysanthemum, Single Chrysanthemum, Double Chrysanthemum, Anemone Chrysanthemum, Quill Chrysanthemum, Spider Chrysanthemum

Beloved for their late summer and fall flowers, Chrysanthemums or mums are terrific plants for adding color to borders and containers when most summer flowers have faded. Usually easy to grow, these fall garden favorites come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes. They make wonderful, long-lasting cut flowers too. While the genus includes about 40 species, countless horticultural varieties and cultivars are available.

All you need to know about Chrysanthemums or mums

Chrysanthemum belongs to the Asteraceae family, which includes asters, daisies, sunflowers, coneflowers, and many more.
Chrysanthemums are native to East Asia and Northeastern Europe. They were first cultivated in China as a flowering herb in the 15th century B.C. Today, there are over 20,000 cultivars in the world and about 7,000 cultivars in China.
Chrysanthemum blooms are composed of many tiny flowers called florets. Some have both disk and ray florets in the bloom heads, but others lack ray or disk florets. The National Chrysanthemum Society divides bloom forms into 13 classes, from single daisies to multi-petalled pompons, petite to giant blooms. Their spectacular flowers come in many colors, from pink, purple, and red to orange, yellow, and white.
Their blue-green leaves are usually deeply lobed or cut, often feathery, oval to lance-shaped.
Chrysanthemums can be annuals, perennials, or small shrubs. Garden Mums or hardy Mums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) are herbaceous perennials. Most can be planted directly into the soil in hardiness zones 5-9, go dormant in winter, then come back year after year in spring. However, these perennial Mums have two requirements to survive winter: early planting (spring) and excellent drainage.
Florist Mums are typically grown as annuals. Bred to be beautiful for the cut-flower industry, for forcing in pots, and for exhibition, these Chrysanthemums rarely survive the winter.
Some popular species of chrysanthemums are annuals such as Yellow Daisy (Chrysanthemum multicaule) and Painted Daisy (Chrysanthemum carinatum or Chrysanthemum tricolor).
Chrysanthemums can grow from under 12 in. (30 cm) to 36 in. tall (90 cm), depending on the variety.
Chrysanthemums typically bloom for 4 to 8 weeks, from early September to frost. A combination of day length and temperature determines flowering. Most mum cultivars begin to develop flower buds when days are less than 12 hours long. They usually flower in a period of 6-8 weeks after flower development begins. Some cultivars may begin flower development early in the summer in response to heat. Catalogs usually list cultivars as early, mid-season, or late Chrysanthemums.
While many cultivated species are grown as fall-blooming ornamentals and are important in the floral industry, the flowers of some are also used to make tea in some parts of East Asia, which is used for chest pain, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
Chrysanthemums symbolize different things across the world: death in some European countries where incurve Chrysanthemums are reserved for funerals and decorating graves; friendship, happiness, and well-being in the United States where chrysanthemums are one of the most popular fall flowers; adversity, lamentation, and/or grief in China, Japan, and Korea.
All parts of the Chrysanthemum plant are potentially harmful if ingested by mammals. They are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Chrysanthemum flowers contain pyrethrin compounds that are toxic to insects and are commonly used to control mosquitoes, fleas, flies, and many other pests. They are grown as “companion plants” to repel insects from susceptible ornamental or edible plants.

Guide Information

Hardiness	5 - 9
Heat Zones	5 - 9
Climate Zones	2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1
Plant Type	Annuals, Perennials, Shrubs
Genus	Chrysanthemum
Exposure	Full Sun
Season of Interest	Summer (Late), Fall
Maintenance	Average
Water Needs	Average
Soil Type	Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH	Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage	Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics	Cut Flowers, Showy
Attracts	Butterflies
Landscaping Ideas	Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders
Garden Styles	City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden

Chrysanthemum ‘Cheryl Pink’

Chrysanthemum ‘Jolly Cheryl’

Chrysanthemum carinatum (Painted Daisy)

When to Plant Chrysanthemum?

The best time to plant Mums in the garden is in the spring after the last frost date.
Mums can be started indoors from seed 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost date.
Plants bought in summer can be planted straight into borders and containers for instant fall color. Since their roots need at least 6 weeks to establish before freezing weather, they may not survive the winter.

Where to Plant Chrysanthemum?

Garden Mums are winter hardy perennials and can generally perform well in USDA Zones 5-9. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
Chrysanthemums are easily grown in full sun in fertile, well-drained soils. However, in warm climates, the plants often appreciate some afternoon shade.
Since Chrysanthemums set buds in response to day length (12 hours or less), avoid confusing them by planting them near nighttime light sources, such as street or patio lights. Plants that receive light at night will be slow to bud.
Garden Mums require regular watering through the growing season. Never let the soil dry out completely. Do not overwater as they dislike waterlogged conditions and will quickly rot.
Chrysanthemums look great in borders and containers and suit most garden styles, including cottage gardens, exotic gardens, and city gardens.
Plant your Chrysanthemums with other fall-blooming plants such as asters, bluebeards, coneflowers, goldenrods, Russian sage, or sedums for great color combinations.

How to Plant Chrysanthemum?

Chrysanthemums will grow very satisfactorily in most well-drained garden soils. They perform best if the soil contains considerable humus in the form of peat, leaf mold, or well-rotted manure, such as garden compost.
Plant your Chrysanthemums in the ground at the same depth they were in the pot.
Space plants 12-36 in. apart (30–90cm) depending on their expected mature size.
Stake to support tall Chrysanthemum varieties.
Provide good air circulation.

Chrysanthemum ‘Bolero’

Chrysanthemum ‘Clara Curtis’

Chrysanthemum ‘Matchsticks’

Chrysanthemum / Mum Care

Pinching Chrysanthemum

Pinch back the stems to promote a sturdy, well-branched plant that will carry more flowers.
Once new shoots reach about 6-8 in. tall (15-20 cm), pinch off the top with your fingertips to remove the tiny new leaves.
Pinch again every time the plant grows another 6-8 in. tall (15-20 cm).
Continue pinching until buds develop. Never prune away buds.

Fertilizing

Mums are heavy feeders. They respond well to the addition of one or two light applications of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
The first treatment is best applied and incorporated into the soil just before planting.
The second application may be applied during midsummer and cultivated into the soil.
To maximize the display during flowering, you can give a weekly high-potassium feed, such as tomato fertilizer.

Mulching

Add a thick layer of mulch around the Mum to conserve soil moisture and to keep weeds out.
Use well-rotted manure or garden compost.
If leaving Mums in the ground over winter, provide a 4-6 in. (10-15 cm) layer of mulch in late autumn.

Disbudding Chrysanthemum (removing some flower buds)

Disbudding is a technique used to produce big flowers or well-balanced clusters.
Pinch off all buds except the largest and strongest on each stem. Remove secondary buds farther down the stem as they develop, too.

Chrysanthemum ‘Fireglow Bronze’

Chrysanthemum ‘Grandchild’

Chrysanthemum ‘Ruby Mound’

Pruning / Deadheading Mums

Deadheading faded flowers regularly helps to keep a neat display and encourages new buds to form for a longer display.
After frost kills the foliage, prune the plant back to within 8 in. (20 cm) of ground.
Cover the remainder of the plant with several inches of mulch for protection during the winter.

Overwintering

Most hardy Chrysanthemums can generally be kept outdoors (in the ground) through the winter in hardiness zones 5-9.
However, depending on your geographic area, lifting and storing your Mums over winter in light, frost-free conditions (basement or dark, cold closet) may be safer.
After flowering, cut down the stems to about 8 in. (20cm) tall.
Lift the plants and remove the soil from the roots.
Snip off any green shoots and leaves so you get bare stems.
Place the Mums in a shallow tray on a 2 in. (5 cm) layer of slightly damp compost. Cover the roots lightly with loose compost.
Store in a cold but frost-free location.
Keep the compost just moist through the winter

Propagating Mums

Mums can be propagated by cuttings (in spring) and division, and it is also possible to grow a few Chrysanthemums from seed.
Cuttings: Cut a stem at least 4 in. long (10 cm) and root in sterile potting soil. Water daily and keep on a sunny windowsill until established.
Division: Divide plants grown in the garden every two to three years. The best time to divide is 3-4 weeks after the last killing spring frost. The new shoots or divisions should be planted in the garden about 18-24 in. apart (45-60 cm).
Seeds: Seeds are used only to produce new cultivars because seedlings do not come true. Seed may be gathered in the fall, stored over winter, and planted in protected seedbeds in early spring. They should germinate within two weeks, and the resulting plants should flower in the same year.

Pest and Diseases

Chrysanthemums are susceptible to several pests, including aphids, capsid bugs, earwigs, leafminers, spider Mites, tarnished plant bugs, thrips, and whiteflies.
They are also affected by several diseases, including aster yellows, botrytis blight, fusarium wilt, powdery mildew, southern blight, verticillium wilt, or chrysanthemum white rust.
Provide good air circulation and avoid shady sites that cause moisture to remain on the leaves, and provide a habitat for diseases.

Companion Plants for your Mums

Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)

Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)

Caryopteris (Bluebeards)

Hardy Perennial Salvias (Sage)

Salvia yangii (Russian Sage)

Sedum (Stonecrop)

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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.