Mums are a lovely addition to any home garden, with their bright and colorful blooms. They’re not picky plants, but like any other flowers, they still require proper care to thrive. Watering, light exposure, and fertilizer are the three main factors for how to keep mums alive and healthy. In this blog post, we’ll talk about each of these factors in detail, so you can keep your mums blooming for years to come.
Keys to Keeping Mums Alive in Your Flower Bed
- Water: Mums need a consistent supply of water, especially during the growing season. Over-watering can damage the roots, but under-watering can cause the plant to wilt and die. To keep your mums healthy, water them deeply about once a week. Make sure the soil is well-drained and doesn’t become waterlogged. If you live in a hot and dry climate, you might need to water your mums more frequently. In contrast, if you live in a rainy region, you might need to water them less.
- Light: Mums thrive in full sun, but they can also grow in partial shade. Depending on the variety, mums require between 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Make sure you plant them in an area where they can get enough sunlight. If your mums are not getting enough light, they’ll grow leggy and won’t produce many flowers. Conversely, too much sunlight can burn the leaves and flowers. So, choose a spot that provides your mums with the right amount of sunlight.
- Fertilizer: Mums are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization to grow well. To promote blooming, use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply the fertilizer once a month during the growing season, starting from the early spring. You can use organic or synthetic fertilizers, but make sure you follow the instructions carefully. Over-fertilization can harm the plant and reduce bloom production.
- Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers from your plants. This encourages healthy new blooms to form and keeps plants looking neat and tidy.
- Mulching is also a great way to keep your mums healthy. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, and control weeds. It’s best to use an organic material like shredded bark or compost for mulching.
Remember, consistent care and attention are the key to keeping mums alive and healthy in your flower bed.
How to Keep Mums Alive on Your Patio
Chrysanthemums can bring a splash of color to your patio too. Here’s how to keep potted mums healthy and blooming:
Perfect Pot Size and Type
When it comes to growing mums in pots, selecting the right size and type of container plays a crucial role in the plant’s health. A pot that is too small can restrict root growth, while a pot that is too large can lead to excess water retention and root rot. Generally, a pot with a diameter of 8 to 12 inches is ideal for a single mum plant. Be sure to choose a pot with adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. As for the material, both plastic and clay pots can work for mums. Plastic pots retain moisture better, which is beneficial in hot climates. Clay pots, on the other hand, are better at cooling the soil and are more stable, reducing the risk of top-heavy plants tipping over.
Watering Your Potted Mums
Watering potted mums requires a delicate balance. While mums need to stay hydrated, too much water can be detrimental to their health. As a general rule, water your potted mums deeply once the top one inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This ensures the plant has enough moisture without drowning the roots, which can lead to root rot. The frequency of watering will depend on the weather conditions and the size of the pot. In hot, dry climates, potted mums may need watering every day or every other day. On the contrary, in cooler or rainy climates, watering once or twice a week may be sufficient. Always check the soil before watering to prevent overwatering or underwatering. Remember, proper watering promotes healthy, vibrant blooms and extends the lifespan of your potted mums.
Lighting for Potted Mums
Just like mums planted in the garden, potted mums also require adequate sunlight. Ideally, place your potted mums in a location where they can enjoy at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. This exposure allows them to grow strong and produce a bounty of flowers. However, if you live in a region with intense sunshine, consider providing your mums with some afternoon shade to protect them from sunburn. Conversely, if your mums are placed in an area with insufficient sunlight, they may become tall and spindly with fewer flowers. Therefore, it’s important to monitor your mums and adjust their location as needed to ensure they receive the right amount of light.
Fertilizing your Potted Mums
When it comes to fertilizing potted mums, choosing the right type and balance is key. As with garden mums, potted mums are also heavy feeders. They benefit from a balanced fertilizer that contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can opt for either organic or synthetic fertilizers depending on your preference. Organic fertilizers, derived from plant or animal sources, are great for improving the overall soil quality, while synthetic fertilizers provide nutrients more quickly.
As for the frequency, apply the fertilizer once a month during the growing season, typically starting in early spring. However, always follow the instructions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization, which can cause damage to the plant and impede bloom production. During the non-growing, dormant season, reduce the frequency or stop fertilizing altogether until the next growing season begins. Remember, the aim of fertilizing is to support your mums’ growth and encourage a profusion of blooms, rather than to overwhelm them with nutrients.
Deadheading and Pruning
Maintaining the aesthetics and promoting the health of your mums involves regular deadheading and pruning.
Deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, encourages mums to generate more blooms and maintain an appealing appearance. To deadhead your plant, simply pinch off the wilted blooms at the base of the flower head. Be sure to dispose of the dead flowers to prevent disease and pest infestation.
Pruning, on the other hand, involves cutting back the plant to control its size and shape, and to promote bushier growth. It’s best to prune your mums in the early spring before the new growth starts. Using a sharp and clean pair of garden shears, cut the stems back to about 4 to 6 inches above the ground. This will encourage the plant to produce more stems, resulting in a fuller plant with more flowers.
Remember to sanitize your pruning tools before and after use to prevent the spread of plant diseases. A simple wipe with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol will do the trick. Regular deadheading and pruning not only keep your mums looking their best, but it also helps keep them healthy and productive.
Winter Care for Potted Mums
When winter arrives, the care for your potted mums changes. Unlike garden mums, potted mums aren’t planted in the ground and lack the natural insulation to protect their roots from freezing temperatures. Consequently, they require special attention to survive the winter months.
Firstly, move your potted mums to a sheltered area such as a garage, shed, or inside your home once the outside temperature drops to freezing. This helps to protect them from harsh winter winds, freezing rain or snow. Remember to keep them in a location where they’ll receive indirect light and temperatures remain above freezing.
Secondly, water your mums sparingly during winter. They require less water when they’re in their dormant stage. Only water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering during this time can lead to root rot since the water won’t evaporate as quickly due to lower light levels and temperatures.
Finally, don’t fertilize your mums during winter. They aren’t actively growing during this time and don’t require the extra nutrients. Resume your regular watering and fertilizing schedule when spring arrives and new growth appears.
It’s also worth noting that even with the best care, not all potted mums will survive the winter. They are often treated as annual plants by many gardeners. However, with these winter care tips, your potted mums stand a better chance of surviving and blooming again in the following spring.
Different Types of Mums
There are several types of mums, each with distinct characteristics that make them unique:
- Garden Mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium): These are the most common type of mums and are known for their vibrant fall colors and robust blooms. These perennials are usually treated as annuals but can survive the winter in some climates with proper care.
- Florist’s Mums (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum): This type of mum is often used in floral arrangements. They are not as hardy as garden mums, making them more suitable for indoor growth. Florist’s mums come in many shapes and sizes, from small button blooms to large, decorative flowers.
- Quilled Mums: Named for their long, tube-shaped petals, these mums exhibit a unique and striking appearance. The petals radiate from the center of the flower, creating an interesting texture and depth.
- Pompon Mums: As the name suggests, these mums bear small, round flowers that resemble pom-poms. This variety is popular for its neat, uniform shape and dense clusters of flowers.
- Spider Mums: These exotic mums have long, thin, tubular petals that curve and twist, resembling spider legs. They are often used in bouquets and arrangements for their dramatic effect.
- Anemone Mums: These mums have a raised center filled with tubular petals, surrounded by a layer of flat petals. This gives the flower a two-tiered effect, adding dimension and contrast to the bloom.
- Single and Semi-double Mums: These mums have one (single) or two (semi-double) layers of petals surrounding a visible central disk. They have a daisy-like appearance and come in a variety of vibrant colors.
Each of these mums has its own individual needs and care routines, so it’s important to identify the type you have to provide the most suitable conditions for their growth and blooming.
Happy Gardening!
Mums are easy-care flowers that can add a pop of color to any home garden. By providing them with the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients, you can keep them healthy and blooming for a long time. Remember to water your mums deeply once a week, plant them in a sunny spot, and fertilize them once a month. Keep the soil well-draining and avoid overcrowding. With a little bit of attention, your mums will reward you with beautiful blooms every fall season.
Please be sure to check out my Gardening Blog Post page for more growing tips on growing Mums, Herbs, African Violets, bulbs and how to plant them, Flower Gardening, Vegetable and Fruit Gardening, Indoor Houseplants of all kinds, Cactus, Succulents, Hanging plants, Container Gardening and even Bird, Bee, Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens!