# Fall Mums Care Must-Have Best Planting Guide

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/how-to-plant-and-care-for-fall-mums/
- Published: 2026-09-27T18:17:30-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

In fall, mums will go dormant, so it is best to leave them alone for the winter.
You can trim back the wilted, dead growth, but not the new ones. Mums need their
old growth to survive the cold winter. Remove the old growth from last year. At 
six inches, pinch the growing tips to encourage more blooms. Do this two to three
times during the growing season. Water your mums during periods of dry weather.

## Deadheading encourages new buds to bloom

The best way to prolong the beauty of autumn mums is to deadhead them when their
blooms are past their prime. Deadheading removes only the stems and does not encourage
new blooms. However, removing old flower heads will improve the look of the plant.
To deadhead autumn mums, cut off the flower stems just below the first set of full,
healthy leaves. If you do not wish to harvest the flower stems, wait until the flowers
are completely spent.

If possible, leave mums to flower until they are hard-frozen. If you want to extend
their bloom time, deadhead the flowers once they have faded. Mulch or straw will
help mums survive the winter, but be sure to remove it or thin it before the last
frost. Mulch can inhibit new growth in the spring. Make sure to leave a few inches
of stem above the ground.

If you can’t wait until fall to cut your autumn mums, you can do it at any time 
during the year. You can even do it indoors where you don’t have to worry about 
the cold. Just remember to deadhead your mums after the winter is over. The best
time to do it is early spring or early summer, so that new growth can develop before
the fall blooms.

In the spring, chrysanthemums need pruning, too. You can prune them once they reach
four inches of growth. You can use pruners to cut the spent stems, but you don’t
want to do it two months before the flower is expected to bloom. If you do it later,
you’ll kill the flower buds and they won’t have enough time to bloom.

To avoid overwatering your autumn mums, be sure to remove dead blooms after they
dry out. Too much moisture will kill the plant’s roots, and it’s not healthy for
your mum’s root system. In addition, it may lead to root rot and other diseases.
Leaving your mums unwatered can actually cause them to suffer from a disease or 
be damaged by too much water.

## Watering mums

If you want to grow superior mums, you should follow a four-stage feeding schedule.
It is important to know what the specific type of soil is, as the type of fertilizer
will depend on it. Mums need a consistent amount of moisture, but you can experiment
with different fertilizers. After all, a four-stage feeding plan is the best method
for growing mums. Follow these tips and your mums will flourish this fall.

Start by checking the moisture level in the soil. Mums like to be moist, but don’t
overwater. Otherwise, they will become too dry and die. For containerized mums, 
you can fill a bucket with water to provide the moisture they need. Make sure that
you water the soil up to the root ball. You can also water mums that are already
planted. This way, you’ll avoid wasting water on overwatering.

When watering your mums, make sure they get at least an inch of water per week. 
Freshly planted mums need only an inch of water per week, while established mums
need an inch every week. If their bottom leaves start to turn brown or limp, prune
them more frequently. Watering too much foliage may cause disease. So, it is vital
to follow these steps if you want your mums to look their best.

For a healthy plant, pinch the stems twice a year. This will help create more branching
and keep them compact. The reward will be a thick, solid plant. If you’re growing
mature mums, you’ve already pruned them twice. Pinching your new shoots will result
in a more compact plant and a greater number of flowers. Likewise, you should divide
your mums every two years.

The first step is to select healthy mums. Choose healthy plants from a local nursery
or store. Select mums that have begun to bloom. This will ensure a longer blooming
time. And make sure the soil is moist. Mums can grow in a variety of soil types,
from potting mix to containers. Just make sure you choose a container that offers
good drainage. After all, you don’t want your mums to drown!

## Providing the right amount of light

When planting and caring for fall mums, you will want to provide them with the correct
amount of light. The correct amount of light will encourage the growth of the mums
and keep the soil evenly moist. Mums grown in pots should be placed a few feet from
the south-facing window, preferably in indirect sunlight. They will need bright 
indirect light. When planting and caring for fall mums, avoid placing them near 
heating vents and avoiding overwatering.

Once the ground has cooled, you should stop watering your mums and mulch them to
conserve moisture and protect the roots from hard freezes. Avoid placing mums in
overly shady areas, as this will delay their flowering. Overwatering and poor drainage
can lead to leaf spot, and mums may not bloom as expected. To prevent these problems,
use a time-release fertilizer. A good fertilizer is 12-6-6. This fertilizer releases
nutrients slowly over three months. Don’t feed established mums until after July.

If your fall mums are growing in containers, make sure they get enough light. Mums
grow from roots and should be transplanted every six to eight weeks before the first
frost. Leaving them out too long may result in them not blooming or developing healthy
roots. Keep in mind that different types of mums will bloom at different times, 
so it’s best to experiment with different varieties and keep notes on how they do.

For the best results, place your mums near a window with a steady stream of sunlight.
If you have a sunny backyard, it’s best to plant your mums in that spot. For indoor
mums, choose a window with a good amount of sunlight. Proper light will give them
beautiful blooms for weeks. The amount of light needed depends on the type of mum
you choose.

Mums should be planted in a sunny spot to maximize their chances of survival in 
the cold winter. Make sure to choose a well-drained soil, as they don’t like standing
water. They also need full sun to grow strong and develop large roots. Full sun 
is best for mums, but a protected area will keep them from wind. Avoid using outdoor
lights in the planting area because they can cause confusion about the length of
day, inhibiting the flower formation, and can even stunt the growth.

## Overwintering mums

Mums are easy to overwinter if you know how to plant them in pots. Once planted,
mums need to be dug up from the ground and placed into a pot filled with potting
soil. To dig up a mum’s root system, you can use a garden shovel or spade. Next,
add soil to the pot. Mums should be kept moist and protected from cold winter winds.

When planting mums, choose a cool location. Dark basements and garages are excellent
options. Mums can be planted into the landscape after the soil has warmed up. Make
sure you use fertile soil that drains well. A layer of compost is also beneficial
to the plant. Water your mums at least one inch a week, and more often if possible.
After planting, wait until the last chance of frost has passed.

Mums are best planted outdoors in pots with holes. They should be pruned to about
half their original size. Mums that are not pruned before the ground freezes will
not have much new growth during the winter. After planting, keep the pots in a cool
place until spring. If they don’t survive the winter, they will die. You can also
cut the stem of the mums in July or August. Pinching will also allow new growth 
to show in the fall.

Overwintering mums can be planted in pots and remain outdoors until the first frost.
After this, you can prune them back to a size that allows them to survive the winter.
This will also protect them from winter. You can also cut off the dead flowers and
leave the foliage and branches intact. Bring the pots indoors once the first frost
hits and enjoy your mums for another year.

When overwintering mums in pots, you can choose the best time to plant them. Spring
is the best time to plant mums, as it will have a growing season and a better chance
of survival during the coldest months. Then, just wait until fall, and your mums
will have plenty of time to bloom and grow. Then, pot them up and protect them from
winter in a protected area.

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

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