# Growing Mum Flowers: Stunning Best Care Tips

- Link: https://lifeandwork.blog/tips-for-growing-mum-flowers/
- Published: 2026-09-27T18:32:58-05:00
- Author: Bert Swope

Here are some helpful Tips For Growing Mum Flowers. Mums prefer a moist, but not
wet soil and bloom in almost every color except blue. Repotting your mum is an excellent
way to extend its life. Carefully break up the roots and repot the mum in a larger
pot, but be careful not to damage them. When repotting your mum, the surface of 
the soil should be an inch below the lip of the new pot. Make sure to incorporate
soil around the roots as well. Then, gently tamp down the soil. Watering should 
be drip-free.

## Pinching or pruning is the best way to get the most flowers

One of the best ways to increase the amount of flowers on your mum is by pinching
it. By pinching it, you will double or even triple the number of blooms it produces
each year. The way to pinch a mum is to break off a portion of the stem that develops
into two new flowering branches. The best time to pinch is in the spring when new
growth is four to six inches tall. You should stop pinching the plant about 90 days
before its usual blooming date.

If you’re growing mums from seed, it’s best to prune them early, before they bloom.
During the flowering period, you can prune off a few stems at a time until the plant
reaches about six inches high. Remember to prune two to three inches above the leaf
before you remove it. It’s best to do this once a month until mid-July, because 
pruning after this date will reduce the number of flower buds.

## Mums prefer moist but not soggy soil

To ensure a strong root system, you should plant mums in the spring or early summer.
Deeper roots will help them survive hard freezes and drought conditions. As with
most flowering plants, mums need moist but not soggy soil to grow. It is important
to avoid overwatering, as this will cause root rot and other diseases. If you overwater
a mum, you may not see any blooms at all!

During the growing season, mums need nitrogen and potassium. Fertilize your mums
every month, especially before the flower buds form. Fertilizing will help them 
grow healthy roots and healthy bud growth, so they’ll be stronger when the flowers
open. Use a time-released fertilizer (12-6-6) to feed your mums every three months.
Afterward, wait until the danger of frost is over. Don’t fertilize established mums
until July.

## They are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses

If you’re bringing flowers indoors for your holiday celebrations, you’ll want to
make sure your pets don’t get a dose of mums, which are known to be harmful to cats
and dogs. These flowers are toxic to animals and have even been declared deadly 
by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The main problem with
mums is that they contain chemicals known as pyrethrins, which are commonly used
in insecticides, flea and tick medicines.

Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a perennial plant that blooms in late summer. These
flowers range in size from four to thirty six inches and can be as large as 36 inches
in diameter. While they’re an extremely popular choice among flower-lovers, they’re
highly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Pets that have eaten mum flowers have developed
diarrhea, vomiting, and incoordination. They may also develop skin irritation.

## They bloom in almost every color except blue

A variety of flowers is available when it comes to mums. These plants are known 
for their brightly colored flowers and come in various colors. Some of them are 
shaped like sea urchins, spoons, daisies, and more. Depending on the variety you
choose, you’ll likely find one that matches your decor. And while they may not be
ideal for cutting, they’re still very lovely to look at.

Most species of mums originate in East Asia, with some in northeastern Europe. But
mumdom is centered in China, where over 7000 different cultivars are produced. The
chrysanthemum’s popularity spread to Japan around the 8th century AD, where it played
an important role in Japanese culture. These versatile blooms make them an excellent
choice for any garden. Here are a few tips for growing mums in nearly every color
except blue:

## They are a popular birth flower for November

The mum flower is a golden-hued flora that is the birth flower of November. The 
name of this flower originates from the Greek prefix “chrys,” meaning golden, and
the Greek word “anthemion,” meaning flower. Commonly known as the “mum,” this flower
has been called the winter rose and the golden flower. It is the perfect flower 
for celebrating this month’s birthday, and is a wonderful gift for November babies.

Traditionally, chrysanthemums have been associated with the month of November, and
are a symbol of European cultural traditions. November is the month of Armistice
Day, a day of remembrance for World War I veterans. Chrysanthemums are often called“
flowers of the dead” because of their resemblance to other flowers. This may explain
why they’re so popular as a birth flower for November.

## Irrigation

Garden mums grow best in full sun and need very little supplemental irrigation. 
Planting three to five mums per pot is ideal. The plants should be spaced about 
eight inches apart. The plants should be fertilized regularly. The first fertilization
should be 300 ppm of a general plant food, and it should gradually taper off to 
200-250 ppm after the first month. The next irrigation should be performed when 
the plants are already about two inches tall.

A good potting soil mix is essential for a healthy and beautiful garden. Add compost
or other organic matter to encourage drainage and encourage good drainage. Keep 
the soil moist, but not soggy. Mums require regular watering, but they may need 
extra help to germinate. Overhead irrigation is not recommended, as it wastes water.
Moreover, watering mum plants too late will result in wet leaves and flowers, which
are a breeding ground for diseases.

## Controlled-release fertilizers

Traditionally, garden mums have been fed B-Nine at a rate of 2500 ppm, applied at
intervals of two weeks. Pinching was done every seven days to determine height and
length. Depending on cultivar, additional applications were required at two-week
intervals. A stick or wood label was placed in the pot to record height. When breaks
reached 2.5 to 3 inches, a second pinch was made. Flowering dates varied from seven
to 12 weeks.

The best time to apply a controlled-release fertilizer to mums is once flower initiation
begins. The plant needs a consistent feed of 200-300 ppm nitrogen during flower 
initiation and during flowering. Once flower initiation has begun, fertilizer application
rates should be reduced to 1.0-2.0 mmhos/cm E.C. To prevent burning the plant, a
fertilizer solution containing excess salts should be avoided. Excessive fertilizer
salts can result in Pythium aphanidermatum fungus, a fungus that can kill the plant.

## Black cloth

A quality garden mum must be handled properly after production. Temperatures during
shipping and displaying are between 38 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with high light
levels and even humidity. To ensure flowering success, the plant should be spaced
properly and should not form a stovepipe. Foliage and stems should be kept at least
six inches from neighboring plants. Regardless of cultivar, the plant’s flowering
and fruiting times should be monitored by measuring breakage intervals.

The first thing you should do is determine the photoperiod of your mums. They naturally
require a twelve-hour photoperiod to produce their flowers. If you want to shorten
this time frame, you can pull the blackcloth earlier in the morning until the dark
period reaches 12 hours. However, do not cover them too late at night, as this can
trap hot air in the growing area. You can also use a nighttime covering if you want
to prolong the blooming period.

## Artificial lights

The use of artificial lights can boost your plants’ flowering period, but they must
not interfere with the natural cycles of your Mums. It’s important to plant your
Mums in the right zone for the climate of your garden. Some hardy varieties of mums
need at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, but may also benefit from some
afternoon shade. Hardy mums should be planted in slightly acidic to neutral soil
with sharp drainage.

If you want to increase the longevity of your mum flower plants, re-potting is a
great option. Use a larger container and top soil with quality potting soil. Break
up the roots of your mum plants and add soil around the roots. Water the plants 
well, and make sure to tamp the soil down gently. The soil should be at least one
inch below the lip of the pot. The soil should be lightly tamped down so water will
drain out from the bottom of the pot.

How to Grow Big, Bushy Mums

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