What time of year do you plant mums?

It's true: the best time to plant mums is in the spring. It gives them plenty of time to put down roots, gather sunlight in the summer, bloom profusely in autumn, and get ready for the cold season ahead.

When can I plant mums in the ground?

If you're using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you're using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they're blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.

Do mums come back every year?

Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn't have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.

When should I buy fall mums?

Mid-September is the earliest time you should consider buying mums. However, each year the longer and hotter summers are pushing that date later and later into September, even into the month of October. As a rule, we at Southern Living recommend "buying plants as they start to break bud.

Can mums survive the winter in pots?

With potted mums, the first key is to never let them endure a freeze in their pot or container. Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently.

PETITTI How to Plant And Care For Fall Mums So They’ll Grow Back

How long do potted mums last outside?

If you wait until things cool off before setting out your mums, you'll be treated to blooms for up to 8 weeks once you have the plants in place.

Can mums survive a freeze?

Most garden mums should be able to endure a light fall frost. Cover the plants at night when freeze warnings are in effect. To keep the plant attractive and healthy, snip off any dead blossoms as soon as they wilt.

Can you plant grocery store mums?

Keep them evenly moist — don't ever let them dry out. Keep them cool — good air circulation is important. At first sign of yellowing of leaves (usually from the bottom of the plant), rush the plant outdoors and plant it in the garden, into its permanent spot.

How cold is too cold for mums?

Different Types of Mums

Given that plants in Zone 5 can withstand temperatures to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (and plants in Zone 3 can survive temperatures of -40 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit), these mums' frost tolerance is pretty high.

Do mums need sun or shade?

Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.

Where Should mums be planted?

Mums should be planted in partial to full sun. If you're trying to decide between the two light exposures, always choose full sun for mums. This helps the plant maintain its energy during the blooming cycle as well as produce new buds, which is important if you want to see color up until the first hard frost.

Are mums perennial or annual?

Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. Cut-flower chrysanthemums, like spider mums or football mums, are perennials in Zones 5 to 9, and these types are becoming easier to find for sale online.

Can I plant mums in the fall?

All the energy is put into blooming. That's why mums are best planted in spring or early fall, as they'll have time to get their roots in the ground before winter's chill comes along.

Can mums be indoor plants?

Growing chrysanthemums indoors is easy and requires little special care beyond watering, good soil and drainage. Once the blooms are spent, you can keep the plant around for its deeply etched foliage.

Will potted mums come back?

Treat your potted mums with care, and they'll come back whether you maintain them in the pot or plant them out in the garden.

Will potted mums bloom again?

If a mum blooms prematurely in the late summertime, it won't bloom again for the season. If it blooms in the spring, as long as you cut it back within 8 inches of the ground, it will bloom again in the fall.

What's the difference between garden mums and hardy mums?

Garden mums are the same thing as hardy mums. Nurseries and garden centers have stopped calling them hardy mums overtime. Mums need special care to over make it through the winter. Mum overwintering is dependent on placement, pruning and conditions.

How do you keep mums alive in pots?

Care of Mums in Pots

While your plant is in its container, keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Mums are thirsty plants, so check them for moisture often. Water them during the morning, so that the leaves have time to dry during the day. Never allow them to wilt.

Can you leave mums outside?

Once your mums stop blooming, you can place them in the ground outdoors once the weather starts to warm. Mums will only bloom once inside but keeping it green until you transplant it outdoors will allow you to enjoy it next season.

What temperature is too hot for mums?

Mums, especially early season varieties, are sensitive to high temperatures during flower initiation. This phenomenon is known as “heat delay.” When short days are provided to initiate flowers, heat delay occurs when temperatures exceed approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is it worth planting mums?

The best time to repot a chrysanthemum is when the plant is actively growing in autumn. Some gardeners advocate repotting mums a second time in spring, but this isn't necessary unless the plant grows so fast that it quickly becomes rootbound.

Are mums toxic to dogs?

Mums. Any plant in the chrysanthemum family is toxic for your dog. The plants contain many compounds that are particularly irritating and dangerous to dogs. Common symptoms of mum ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and incoordination.