Mum Growing Guide

Mums, also known as chrysanthemums, are a gorgeous choice for autumn flowers. They’re a versatile floral that you can treat as an annual or perennial, but most people prefer to replant them annually, as they can buy whatever color suits them in the fall and compost them once winter arrives.

If you want to learn about the best options for growing mums in pots, check out our tips for mums here!

Getting Started

You’ll want to start with your chrysanthemums in spring, as it will give them lots of time to develop their root system. If you buy mums with flowers, we recommend snipping them off so that the flower concentrates on putting down roots instead of developing blossoms. Plant them in a sunny spot with well-drained soil and avoid overwatering to prevent crown rot.

If you’re growing mums in pots as a perennial, you’ll also want to divide them every spring. Toss out the weak centers in favor of healthier sprouts from the edge of your clump. Since chrysanthemums are heavy feeders, you must fertilize regularly with a granulated 10-10-10 fertilizer as soon as you spot new growth. You can also apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring to minimize work.

Our final tip for mums is to prepare them for winter. They’re a hardy flower that does well in cooler temperatures, but you’ll want to spread 2-4” of straw or loose mulch over the roots to keep them protected from the cold.