Fall Mum Care Guide To Keep Them Thriving For Seasons To Come

The mums you bought at your local grocery store or garden center may be looking pretty ratty several weeks later. Along with apple picking, pumpkin carving, and raking leaves, discarding your chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum spp.) may be an annual fall tradition. But don't throw them out or toss them into the compost pile just yet! If you didn't know how long mums last, you might be surprised to learn that they're actually perennials. With a bit of luck and proper care this fall, you may be able to spare yourself the trouble of buying new ones each year. If you buy the right kind of chrysanthemums and protect them from the harshness of winter, you can enjoy your mums for seasons to come.

Chrysanthemums are hardy only in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9, but their exact hardiness may depend on whether they're garden mums or florist mums. "Florist mums" grown for cut flowers are less likely to overwinter well. They are bred to produce as much of a display as possible in their first year and are essentially too exhausted to have any energy saved in their roots for subsequent years. By contrast, "garden mums" like Korean chrysanthemums or spreading chrysanthemums, as well as mums with single or semi-double flowers (rather than full double flowers) are hardier and can give you multiple years of enjoyment. As long as you take care of them properly, that is.

Unlike floral mums sold as fall annuals, garden mums will usually be available to plant in spring, so it's worth planning ahead to enjoy these perennials in your garden. If your chrysanthemums are in pots, either bring them indoors or plant them in the ground by late fall. Leaving them in pots outdoors will expose their roots to the wind and cold of winter, practically guaranteeing their demise. If you bring the pots indoors, however, keep them in a cool, bright location and water them infrequently. Don't let them completely dry out, but keep the soil only lightly moist, as they won't be doing much growing in the winter. Too much water and the roots will rot.

If you live in a warm climate, you can try planting your mums in your garden over winter. Find a spot where your chrysanthemums will enjoy a full day of sun so that they produce the most abundant flowers. Keep them where they're away from the wind and, preferably, where they will receive some shelter. Don't crowd your mums, however, as they can be subject to powdery mildew and other airborne diseases. Dig holes a few inches deeper than the pots the plants are in, then backfill the holes with some loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Cut back the stems to about 6 inches and plant them in the holes you've dug. Water the mums in only lightly, then apply a thick (3 inches or so) layer of mulch to keep the soil warm. With proper protection, garden mums can even survive in below-zero temperatures.