If you’ve brought home a beautiful pot of mums, you might be wondering how to keep mums alive and thriving for as long as possible. These autumn favorites can last for seasons with the right care, and it all starts with understanding their basic needs.
Many people treat mums as disposable annuals, but they are actually hardy perennials. With a few essential tips, you can enjoy their vibrant color year after year. Let’s get started with the fundamental care they need to succeed.
How To Keep Mums Alive
This core principle covers everything from your initial plant choice to long-term maintenance. Success begins the moment you pick out your plant.
Start with a Healthy Plant
Your journey to keeping mums alive begins at the garden center. A good plant has a strong foundation. Look for mums with more buds than open flowers. This means you’ll get a longer display as those buds open at home.
Avoid plants that are wilted, have brown leaves, or look root-bound. Gently check the soil moisture; it shouldn’t be bone dry or soggy. A healthy plant is your first and best step.
The Right Light is Non-Negotiable
Mums love sunshine. For the best growth and most abundant flowers, they need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. A spot with morning sun is ideal, as it dries dew from the leaves, helping prevent disease.
If you’re growing them indoors, place them in your brightest window. Without enough light, the stems will become weak and leggy, and flowering will be poor. They simply won’t thrive in deep shade.
Watering: The Biggest Challenge
Getting watering right is crucial. Mums like consistently moist soil, but they absolutely cannot sit in waterlogged roots. The goal is damp, not drenched.
Check the soil daily by sticking your finger an inch down. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Water thoroughly at the base of the plant until it runs out the drainage holes. Then, let the soil approach dryness before watering again.
Soil and Potting Needs
Excellent drainage is the key. Use a high-quality potting mix if they are in containers. For garden beds, amend heavy clay soil with compost to improve its structure. Good soil prevents the roots from suffocating.
If your potted mum came in a small pot, you may need to repot it. Choose a container that is only 1-2 inches wider and has excellent drainage holes. This gives the roots room without holding to much excess water.
Feeding for Strong Growth
Mums are moderate feeders. To support all those blooms, they need a little nutrition. Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer when you first bring them home.
Once buds appear, you can switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the bottle) to encourage blooming. Always follow the label instructions, and stop feeding about a month before the first expected frost in your area.
Encouraging Bushy Plants and More Blooms
To prevent tall, floppy plants, you can pinch them back. This simple trick encourages branching, leading to a bushier plant with more flowers.
- In late spring or early summer, use your fingers or clean shears to remove about 1 inch from the tip of each stem.
- Repeat this process every few weeks until mid-July. After that, stop pinching so flower buds have time to form for fall.
- Deadhead spent flowers regularly by snipping them off. This tells the plant to produce more blooms instead of putting energy into seeds.
Overwintering Your Mums
This is the secret to keeping mums alive as perennials. After the flowers fade in late fall, don’t cut the plant down. The dead stems actually help protect the crown of the plant through winter.
- Once the foliage is killed by a hard frost, you can then cut stems back to about 2 inches above the ground.
- Apply a thick layer (3-4 inches) of mulch like straw or shredded leaves over the plant base. This insulates the roots from freeze-thaw cycles.
- In early spring, as new growth appears, gently remove the mulch. Divide overcrowded clumps every few years in the spring to rejuvenate them.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even with great care, issues can pop up. Here’s how to handle common ones.
Yellowing Leaves
This is often a sign of watering issues. Check if the soil is too wet or too dry. Poor drainage or lack of nutrients can also cause yellowing. Make sure your plant isn’t root-bound if it’s in a pot.
Wilting
Wilting can mean under-watering, but it can also mean over-watering has caused root rot. Check the soil moisture first. If it’s wet and the plant is wilted, root rot is likely. You may need to repot the plant into fresh, dry soil.
Pests
Aphids and spider mites sometimes bother mums. A strong spray of water from the hose can dislodge them. For persistent problems, use an insecticidal soap, making sure to cover the undersides of leaves where pests hide.
FAQ: Your Mum Care Questions Answered
How often should I water my potted mums?
Check daily. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry, then water deeply. This might be every day in hot sun or every few days in cooler weather.
Can I plant my potted mums in the ground?
Absolutely! For best results, plant them in the ground in early spring or at least 6 weeks before the first hard frost in fall. This gives the roots time to establish before winter.
Why are my mums dying from the bottom up?
This is usually due to a lack of sunlight reaching the lower leaves or a fungal issue from overhead watering. Ensure they get enough sun and try to water at the soil level instead of on the leaves.
Do mums come back every year?
Yes, they are perennials. With proper fall care and winter protection as outlined above, they will return reliably in the spring.
When is the best time to buy mums?
Look for plants in late summer or early fall that have plenty of unopened buds. This ensures the longest blooming period in your garden or on your porch.
Keeping mums alive is a rewarding practice that extends the beauty of your garden well into autumn. By focusing on sunlight, careful watering, and proper seasonal care, you can enjoy these cheerful flowers for many seasons to come. Remember, starting with a healthy plant and giving it what it needs from the start makes all the difference.