I used to think I just had a black thumb when it came to fall flowers. But after years of trial and error here at SpruceShake, I realized I was making two massive mistakes: I didn’t know the difference between the types of mums I was buying, and I was watering them completely wrong.
Mums (chrysanthemums) are the undisputed monarchs of the autumn garden. Whether you treat them as temporary porch decor or permanent perennial shrubs, these flowers offer an undeniable charm. Let’s dig into everything you actually need to know about growing and caring for fall mums so they last straight through to winter.
Quick Answer: How Do You Keep Mums Alive?
To keep potted fall mums alive, you must water them from the bottom up. Mums have incredibly dense, shallow root systems that dry out daily in pots. Never pour water over the top of the blooms (which causes rot). Instead, place the pot in a shallow dish of water for 20 minutes so the roots can drink from the bottom.
The Biggest Secret: Florist vs. Garden Mums
Did you know that not all mums are created equal? The reason your grocery store mums died over the winter is likely because you bought the wrong kind.
- Florist Mums (Floral Mums): These are bred specifically for massive, temporary indoor blooms. They have very shallow roots and almost zero cold tolerance. They are meant to be treated like cut flowers—enjoy them for a few weeks on your porch and throw them away. They will not survive being planted in the ground for winter.
- Garden Mums (Hardy Mums): These are bred to be tough perennials. They put down deep root systems and can survive freezing winter temperatures (usually down to USDA Zone 5) if planted early enough in the season.
Shopping Tip: Don’t Buy Full Blooms
When shopping, resist the urge to grab the plant that is already in full, vibrant bloom. Instead, choose a plant covered in tight, green buds with just a hint of color showing. This guarantees you will get to enjoy the entire 4-to-6 week bloom cycle at your own house, rather than watching them fade days after bringing them home.
Essential Care Guide for Mums
Sunlight Requirements
Mums are unapologetic sun lovers. They need full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) to flourish. A sunny location promotes tight, compact growth and massive flower production. If grown in the shade, mums will stretch out, become “leggy,” and produce very few flowers.
The Golden Rule of Watering
Mums have a very shallow, dense root system. If you buy them tightly packed in a plastic nursery pot, they will likely need to be watered every single day.
However, you must water them at the base of the soil. If you overhead water and get the dense foliage wet, the plant will quickly develop fungal diseases like powdery mildew or crown rot.
Water the soil, not the flowers! Use a long-spout watering can:
Fertilizing Mums
If you are treating your mums as perennials planted in the ground, they benefit from regular feeding during the spring and summer growing season. A balanced 5-10-5 liquid fertilizer is ideal. Stop fertilizing in late August. Pushing new, tender green growth right before the first frost makes the plant highly vulnerable to freezing to death.
Planting and Overwintering (Making Them Come Back)
Although you see mums everywhere in the fall, the absolute best time to plant “Garden Mums” is actually in the spring. Spring planting gives the root system six full months to establish itself deep in the soil before the freezing winter hits.
If you buy a Hardy Garden Mum in October and plant it in the ground, the roots won’t have time to anchor. The winter freeze-thaw cycle will physically push the plant out of the ground (called frost heaving), killing it.
How to Overwinter Fall-Planted Mums
If you do plant in the fall, you must protect them:
- Leave the dead foliage on the plant! Do not cut the brown, dead stems back in the fall. The dead branches act as a natural snow fence and insulate the crown of the plant.
- After the ground freezes hard, cover the base of the plant with 3 to 4 inches of heavy straw mulch or pine needles.
- In the spring, once you see green shoots emerging from the base, you can prune off last year’s dead, brown stems.
Pinching: The Secret to the “Perfect Sphere”
Have you ever wondered how nurseries get their mums to look like perfect, dense, blooming spheres? The secret is pinching.
When the plant reaches about 6 inches tall in late spring, you use your fingers to pinch off the top inch of every single stem. This forces the plant to stop growing upward and instead branch out to the sides. You repeat this process every time the plant grows another 3 to 4 inches. Stop all pinching by the 4th of July! If you pinch too late in the summer, you will accidentally remove the buds that are forming for the fall bloom.
Popular Varieties of Mums
Chrysanthemums have been cultivated for thousands of years in Asia. Today, they are bred into dozens of different flower shapes. Here are a few unique varieties to look out for:
- Pom Pom Mums: These adorable mums have small, tightly packed, round blooms that resemble cheerleader pom-poms. Excellent for container gardens.
- Anemone Mums: These stand out with their raised, cushion-like centers surrounded by flat outer petals.
- Spider Mums: Exotic and dramatic, Spider mums feature long, thin, tubular petals that curl and twist like a spider’s web. They make incredible focal points in cut flower arrangements.
- Spoon Mums: Unique for their tubular petals that flatten out at the very tips, looking exactly like tiny little spoons.
Ready for a Complete Fall Landscape Makeover?
Mums look incredible when planted in massive drifts alongside ornamental grasses, Russian Sage, and late-blooming Asters. If you want a breathtaking autumn yard but don’t want to dig in the cold dirt yourself, connect with local landscaping professionals to design your perfect fall garden.
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Final Thoughts
Growing fall mums is incredibly rewarding once you understand their basic needs. Whether you are creating a temporary, festive porch display in a container or planting Hardy Garden Mums for years of perennial color, the rules are the same: buy them with tight buds, give them full sun, and water them from the bottom up!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my potted mums dry out so fast?
Nursery mums are extremely “root bound.” The pot is so entirely full of roots that there is very little soil left to actually hold onto water. On hot, sunny September days, a potted mum will easily drink all the available water in the pot in less than 24 hours. You must check them daily.
Should I cut back dead mums in the fall?
No! If your mums are planted in the garden, leave the dead, brown stems on the plant all winter long. The old foliage acts as a blanket, trapping snow and insulating the fragile roots against hard freezes. Wait until you see new green growth in early spring to cut the old stems away.
Do mums come back every year?
It depends on the type you buy. “Florist Mums” sold in foil-wrapped pots are bred for massive blooms but lack cold hardiness; they will die in the winter. “Hardy Garden Mums” are true perennials and will come back year after year if planted in the ground and properly mulched before winter.
Are mums toxic to dogs and cats?
Yes. Chrysanthemums contain pyrethrins (the active ingredient in many natural insecticides). If ingested by dogs, cats, or horses, the leaves and flowers can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyper-salivation, and loss of coordination. Keep potted mums out of reach of curious pets.
