Mums Flowers: A Love-Hate Relationship (And Why I Still Plant Them Every Year)

Mums flowers: Fall’s finicky favorite. Discover why I love-hate growing chrysanthemums and how to make them last.

Nothing says fall quite like garden mums, am I right? They are bright, beautiful, and instantly evoke the cozy autumn feels. But mums can be frustrating for many gardeners and home decorators because they don’t last long, they dry out easily, and some don’t return the following year.

Hi, I’m Stacy Ling, a trained Master Gardener in USDA Zone 6b, New Jersey, sharing beginner-friendly tips to help your garden thrive. If there is one thing I love in fall, it is to bump up the autumn aesthetic with lots of fall flowers. And mums are a great way to to do that.

But having a little knowledge about how to get the most from them can go a LONG way. The key to success with mums is to change your perspective on how you grow them.

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All About Mums Flowers

Chrysanthemums are undeniably pretty fall flowers, readily available everywhere from nurseries and big box stores to markets and florists. There’s a vast array of garden mum varieties to choose from, offering a wide range of colors, heights, flower sizes, shapes, and bloom times.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: Most garden mums are winter hardy in USDA Zones 5-9.
• Light Conditions: Chrysanthemums thrive in full sun (6-8 hours per day). They can tolerate some shade, but flowering may be reduced.
• Soil Requirements: They prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5
• Bloom Color and Bloom Time: Chrysanthemums boast a wide variety of bloom colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, and even bi-colored varieties. Their typical bloom time is in the fall, from late summer to early winter, depending on the variety and climate

Chrysanthemums thrive in full sun (6-8 hours per day) with ample water and fertilization. As perennials, they establish best when planted in spring, giving their roots time to develop. However, you can plant them anytime, provided you give them about six weeks before extreme weather hits.

Plant mums flowers in well-draining soil in a hole twice the size of the root ball, and mix in organic matter like compost and leaf mold. While I generally emphasize soil quality, chrysanthemums also benefit from balanced fertilizer during the growing season. It’s crucial to fertilize until they’re about to bloom, then stop and let the plant do its thing.

Mums Are a Perennial That I Treat as an Annual

Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) are technically herbaceous perennials, meaning they are supposed to return year after year. However, for many gardeners like myself, especially in cooler climates or when purchased as fully bloomed fall plants, they often behave more like annuals. The ‘why’ behind this common experience lies in a few key factors:

• Shallow Root Systems: The mums you buy in fall are often root-bound or have relatively shallow root systems that haven’t had enough time to establish deeply before winter’s chill.
• Energy Expenditure: When mums are purchased in full bloom, they’ve used a significant amount of their energy reserves for flowering, leaving less stored energy for developing robust roots that can withstand freezing temperatures and provide spring regrowth.
• Drainage Sensitivity: While they need consistent moisture, mums are highly susceptible to root rot if their roots sit in soggy soil over winter, which can be exacerbated by heavy rain or snow followed by freezes and thaws.

Common Pests and Diseases of Mums Flowers

Chrysanthemums can be susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including:

• Aphids: These tiny insects suck sap from the plant, causing stunted growth and distorted leaves. You can control them with insecticidal soap or neem oil, or by introducing natural predators like ladybugs.
• Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease appears as a white powdery coating on the leaves. To prevent it, ensure good air circulation around the plants and avoid overhead watering. If it occurs, treat it with a fungicide like Neem.
• Leaf Spot: This fungal disease causes brown spots on the leaves. Remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering to prevent its spread.
• Rust: This fungal disease appears as reddish-brown pustules on the undersides of leaves. Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation to prevent rust.

Pruning and Deadheading Your Mums Flowers

• Pinching Back: As mentioned earlier, pinching back is essential for promoting bushier growth and more flowers. Pinch back the tips of young shoots when they are about 6 inches tall. Repeat this process a few times until mid-summer. I usually stop pinching mine back around July 4.
• Deadheading: Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, encourages the plant to produce more blooms. Simply snip off the faded flowers just above a leaf or set of leaves.

Overwintering Mums Flowers

Despite being perennials, successfully overwintering garden mums can be a challenge, and like many gardeners in Zone 6b, I often experience them behaving more like annuals. My personal success rate sits around 50%, highlighting that it’s often a bit of a gamble. Understanding why they often don’t return can help you decide if attempting to overwinter is worth the effort for your specific situation:

• Insufficient Root Establishment: Mums planted in fall, especially those purchased in full bloom, have very little time to grow the deep, extensive root system needed to anchor them against frost heave and store enough energy to survive winter dormancy. Their energy is largely focused on their showy autumn flowers.
• Poor Drainage and Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Mums require well-draining soil. If planted in a spot with poor drainage, their roots can sit in cold, soggy conditions during winter. Coupled with repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can heave roots out of the ground, this significantly increases the risk of root rot and plant death.
• Lack of Winter Protection: Even “hardy” varieties benefit immensely from a protective layer of mulch (like straw or shredded leaves) after the ground freezes. This insulation helps prevent the soil temperature fluctuations that can damage roots and aids in consistent dormancy. Without it, roots are more exposed and vulnerable to winter desiccation and temperature swings.
• Variety Hardiness: While some mums are bred for better cold hardiness, many of the showy florist-type mums sold in fall are not truly hardy in colder zones without significant protection.

Thus, in colder climates (Zones 5 and below), chrysanthemums may need some protection to survive the winter. After the first hard frost, cut back the plants to about 6 inches tall. Mulch around the base of the plants with a thick layer of straw, leaves, or wood chips to insulate the roots. In spring, remove the mulch once the danger of frost has passed.

Because I’ve experienced about a 50% return rate of them returning, I don’t care for them the following season so I prefer to save my garden space for other perennial plants that give me more bang for my buck and grow mums as annuals in my zone 6b garden.

Propagating Mums Flowers

Chrysanthemums can be propagated through division or cuttings. I personally don’t do it but if you want to, here are your options!

• Cuttings: Take 4-6 inch cuttings from healthy stems in spring or early summer. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut ends in the rooting hormone. Plant the cuttings in a moist potting mix and keep them in a warm, humid environment until they root.
• Division: In spring, dig up the clump and carefully divide it into smaller sections, each with roots and shoots. Replant the divisions in well-prepared soil.

While propagating mums can be done, I recommend purchasing new plants instead of trying to propagate them. It’s just easier.

Are Mums Flowers Hard to Keep Alive?

Garden mums’ shallow root system makes them prone to drying out, especially in hot weather. Drought-stressed plants are less likely to survive winter than well-hydrated ones. So, monitor watering during dry spells; they may need daily watering in hot, arid conditions.

Planting in well-prepared, fertile soil with mulch or repotting in healthy potting soil with leaf mold and compost helps retain moisture.

While the “garden hack” of dunking mums in water before planting or decorating helps with initial hydration, it doesn’t prolong their life or bloom time. Replanting in good soil and consistent watering at the base is key. A drip irrigation system on a timer offers a hands-off approach that will keep them consistently hydrated.

It’s a Matter of Perspective When Growing Chrysanthemums

I love mums, but I’m not into the high maintenance they require for their limited bloom time. Most of us find them in stores in late summer/early fall, bred as fall decor. They can be perennial, but I treat them more like annuals. It’s easier, and leaves room in my garden for plants that reliably return.

How to Think Differently About Growing Chrysanthemums

Remember, fall mums are grown specifically for fall bloom, lasting only 4-6 weeks. They’re perennial, but not the best at it. I plant them yearly, not expecting them back, but because I love their look. They also dry out less in the ground than in containers.

Out of hundreds planted, only a handful have returned for me. So, my expectation for perennial return is low. There are other, easier fall plants that offer more. How do they grow for you? Let’s chat in the comments below – I’d love to hear your experience!

Are Mums Flowers Annual or Perennial?

Technically perennial, but I consider them seasonal fall flowers, like poinsettias – more holiday plants than garden staples. If your mums struggle, don’t blame yourself. They’re finicky and need lots of attention when first purchased. It’s the plant, not you. Adjust your expectations.

Do Mums Flowers Really Come Back?

They can, but I don’t rely on it. It’s a bonus. If they survive winter, you’ll see new growth at the base in early spring. Last year, maybe 10 out of 30 returned for me.

When to Buy Mums Flowers

Resist buying them in August/early September when you see them come out in nurseries, markets, and big box stories! The best time is mid-to-late September and even early October, depending on the weather.

While the sight of mums in August is tempting, resist the urge to buy them too early. Here’s why early purchases can hinder their long-term success:

• Summer Stress: Mums struggle in intense summer heat. If you buy them in August, they’ll likely endure weeks of heat stress, which can weaken the plant, inhibit root development, and make them more vulnerable to pests and diseases even before fall truly arrives. This stress significantly reduces their chances of thriving, let alone overwintering.
• Premature Blooming: Mums bought fully open in August will likely finish their bloom cycle long before peak fall, giving you less display time and further depleting their energy reserves early. They simply don’t handle summer heat well and only bloom for 4-6 weeks.

To me, the best time is mid-to-late September and even early October, depending on the weather in your growing zone. I always time my chrysanthemums purchase based on that!

Buy Mums Flowers with Intention

Consider your purpose. Are they for a party tomorrow, an event next week, or an impulse buy? Early purchases won’t last into October.

I usually wait until mid-late September, unless I need them earlier for a specific reason. If you buy early during hot weather, you’ve got to keep them well-hydrated!

Thus, if you purchase them in late August through early September on impulse, they won’t last well into October. I’m not telling you not to get them if you want them. But, if you want them to last through October, either plan on replacing them or hold off getting them for a few more weeks.

Timing Your Chrysanthemums Purchase

To avoid replacing mums prematurely, I delay buying them until mid-to-late September, carefully considering the weather. If New Jersey is experiencing hot, dry conditions, I postpone my purchase until those conditions improve.

The only exception is if I need mums for a specific event or early fall decorating. In those cases, I accept their potentially shorter lifespan or plan to replace them if needed.

Remember: If you buy mums early when it’s still hot, be prepared to water them diligently!

Choosing the Right Mums Plant For Your Fall Garden

• For immediate impact: Choose plants in full bloom. They won’t last as long or rebloom.
• For an event a week or more out: Choose a mix of blooms and buds. Water daily.
• For seasonal decor: Pick plants with more buds than blooms for longer-lasting color. Water daily to prevent drying out before blooming.

How Do You Take Care of Potted Mums?

To take care of your potted mums, I strongly recommend repotting them out of the plastic nursery pot and replanting them in another container. This will refresh the soil medium and help it be less prone to drying out as easily.

Potted mums are a great way to add a splash of color to your fall decor, and keeping them looking their best is easier than you think. First, light is so important. A sunny porch, patio, or balcony is the perfect spot. If you notice it not getting enough light, simply move your planter to a better location.

Be smart about watering mums in pots. Water your mum thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. The best way to check this is to stick your finger into the soil and really feel it. Avoid watering the leaves directly to prevent fungal diseases, and never let the pot sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. A well-draining potting mix is essential for this reason.

You can give your mum a boost by applying an all-purpose liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks, but stop fertilizing once the buds begin to open. Honestly, I just add a little slow release fertilizer and call it a day when I pot them up.

Finally, a little maintenance goes a long way. Regularly deadheading, or pinching off, the spent blooms will keep the plant looking tidy and encourage new flowers to emerge, extending its blooming season for as long as possible.

Chrysanthemums Care FAQs

• Do Chrystanthemums Like Sun or Shade? They prefer at least 6 hours of sun for optimal health and blooms but can tolerate shadier spots with fewer flowers. If it’s hot, move them to shade to prevent drying out and scorching.
• Do Chrysanthemums Repel Bugs? Yes, they contain pyrethrin, a natural insect repellent often used in insecticides. Some gardeners plant them specifically for pest control.
• Do Chrysanthemums Grow in Pots or in the Ground? Both! In-ground planting requires well-draining soil and sun. Potted mums need a large enough container with drainage holes and well-draining potting mix. The choice depends on your space and preferences.
• What is the Difference Between Garden Mums and Hardy Mums? There is no difference. Garden mums are hardy mums; nurseries just stopped using the term “hardy.”

Final Thoughts About Growing Chrysanthemums

Growing chrysanthemums can be rewarding, adding fall magic to your space. While not my favorite, I enjoy them yearly. Adjusting my expectations has led to greater success. Remember, gardening is about experimenting and having fun. My easy plants might be different for you. So, get out there and discover what works best for you and your garden!

Have you had success growing chrysanthemums as perennials? Or do you prefer to treat them like annuals? Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.

For more information about growing chrysanthemums in the home garden, please see this article from Penn State Cooperative Extension, NC State Cooperative Extension, and the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension.

To drill down on more beginner gardening techniques and tips, please read these posts:

• Flower Gardening for Beginners
• Growing a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners
• Container Garden Ideas for Beginners
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden
• Herb Gardening for Beginners

Thanks for stopping by the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xoxo