How to Grow Chrysanthemum: Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

Want to know how to grow chrysanthemum flowers that look amazing every fall? You’re in the right place. These colorful blooms are easier to grow than you think. Moreover, they’ll reward you with stunning flowers year after year.

Chrysanthemums (or “mums” as many gardeners call them) bring life to gardens when other plants are fading. In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to successfully grow chrysanthemum plants from start to finish.

Table of Contents

What Makes Chrysanthemums Special?

Chrysanthemums originated in China over 3,000 years ago. Today, they’re one of the world’s most popular fall flowers. These tough perennials come in dozens of colors, shapes, and sizes.

And if indoor greenery is more your style, don’t miss Bedroom Plants That Improve Air Health and Wellness for ideas that work inside your home.

The best part? Learning how to grow chrysanthemum flowers isn’t complicated. In fact, they’re quite forgiving plants for beginners.

Understanding Chrysanthemum Types

Before you learn how to grow chrysanthemum plants, you should know about the different types. This knowledge helps you pick the right ones for your garden.

Hardy Garden Mums vs. Florist Mums

There’s a big difference between these two types:

Hardy garden mums survive winter outdoors. They come back every spring. These are the ones you want if you’re learning how to grow chrysanthemum flowers long-term.

Florist mums look pretty but usually don’t survive cold winters. Furthermore, they’re bred for indoor display, not outdoor gardens. Many garden centers sell these in fall. However, treat them as temporary decorations.

Popular Chrysanthemum Varieties

Mums come in many beautiful forms:

Cushion mums – Low and bushy, perfect for borders
Spider mums – Long, thin petals that curve outward
Pompon mums – Small, round, ball-shaped flowers
Daisy mums – Simple flowers with a bright center
Decorative mums – Large, showy blooms for cutting

Choose varieties based on your climate zone and garden design. Additionally, pick colors that match your autumn landscape.

When to Plant Chrysanthemums

Timing matters when you learn how to grow chrysanthemum successfully.

Spring is the best time to plant mums. Plant them in late spring after the last frost. This gives roots time to grow strong before winter.

Many people buy mums in fall because they’re blooming then. However, fall-planted mums often don’t survive winter. Their roots simply don’t have enough time to establish.

If you must plant in fall, do it at least 6 weeks before your first frost. Even so, spring planting gives better results.

How to Grow Chrysanthemum: Choosing the Right Location

Location makes a huge difference in how to grow chrysanthemum successfully.

Sunlight Requirements

Chrysanthemums need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun means more flowers. Plant them where they’ll get morning and afternoon light.

Partial shade causes weak, floppy stems. Additionally, shaded plants produce fewer blooms.

Pro tip: Keep mums away from outdoor lights. Night lighting confuses them and delays flowering.

Best Soil Conditions

When learning how to grow chrysanthemum, soil preparation is crucial:

Mums need well-draining soil above all else
They like slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.5-7.0)
Rich, fertile soil produces the best flowers

Never plant mums in heavy clay or constantly wet areas. Poor drainage causes root rot, which kills plants quickly.

Improving Your Soil

Follow these steps to prepare perfect soil:

Test your soil drainage by digging a hole and filling it with water
If water sits for hours, add organic matter
Mix in 2-3 inches of compost or aged manure
Work amendments 12-15 inches deep
Ensure the planting area drains well after heavy rain

Good soil preparation now means healthier plants later. Therefore, don’t skip this step.

Step-by-Step: How to Grow Chrysanthemum from Plants

Most beginners start with nursery plants. Here’s exactly how to grow chrysanthemum this way:

Planting Instructions

Dig proper holes – Make them twice as wide as the root ball
Space correctly – Place plants 18-24 inches apart for air circulation
Plant at the right depth – Keep the crown (where stems meet roots) at or slightly above soil level
Backfill gently – Remove air pockets without compacting soil too much
Water thoroughly – Soak the soil deeply right after planting

Never bury the crown too deep. Water collecting around stems causes rot.

First Week Care

After planting, your mums need attention:

Water daily for the first week
Keep soil moist but not soggy
Check plants morning and evening
Protect from strong winds

These early days are critical. Consistent moisture helps roots establish quickly.

How to Grow Chrysanthemum from Cuttings

Want more plants for free? Growing from cuttings is easy.

Taking Cuttings

In spring, when shoots are 4-6 inches tall:

Cut healthy stems just below a leaf node
Remove leaves from the bottom half
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone
Plant in moist vermiculite or seed-starting mix
Keep in a bright spot out of direct sun

Most cuttings root in 2-3 weeks. Tug gently – if they resist, they’ve rooted.

Essential Care: How to Grow Chrysanthemum Successfully

Once planted, follow these care tips to grow healthy mums.

Watering Chrysanthemums

Consistent moisture is key when learning how to grow chrysanthemum:

Water deeply once or twice weekly
Let the top inch of soil dry between waterings
Always water at the base, not on leaves
Increase watering during hot, dry spells

Wet leaves invite fungal diseases like powdery mildew. Therefore, keep foliage dry.

In containers, mums dry out faster. Check daily and water when the top inch feels dry.

Fertilizing for Blooms

Mums are hungry plants. They need regular feeding:

Spring feeding:

Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer when growth starts
Use a 10-10-10 formula
Follow package directions for amounts

Growing season:

Feed with liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks
Continue until buds form
Switch to low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus formula before blooming

Stop fertilizing once flower buds show color. This helps blooms last longer.

The Secret to Bushier Plants: Pinching

Pinching makes the biggest difference in how to grow chrysanthemum with lots of flowers.

Why pinch? Removing the growing tip forces the plant to create side branches. More branches mean more flowers. Additionally, pinched plants stay compact and sturdy.

How to pinch chrysanthemums:

Wait until plants reach 6 inches tall
Pinch off the top 1/2 to 1 inch
Repeat every 2-3 weeks
Stop pinching by mid-July (early July in warm climates)

Each pinch creates 2-3 new stems. By summer, you’ll have a full, bushy plant.

Don’t pinch after mid-July. Mums need time to form flower buds before fall.

Mulching and Weed Control

Mulch helps your chrysanthemums thrive:

Spread 2-3 inches around plants
Keep mulch away from stems
Use shredded bark, compost, or straw
Replenish as it breaks down

Mulch keeps soil moist, controls weeds, and regulates temperature. These benefits make it easier to grow chrysanthemum successfully.

Seasonal Care Throughout the Year

Understanding seasonal needs is part of knowing how to grow chrysanthemum year after year.

Spring Care

When shoots emerge:

Remove winter mulch gradually
Cut back dead stems to 2-3 inches
Apply balanced fertilizer
Check for pests and diseases
Divide overcrowded plants (every 3 years)

Spring is also the best time to move or divide mums.

Summer Maintenance

During active growth:

Water consistently, especially in heat
Pinch regularly until mid-July
Fertilize monthly
Watch for aphids and spider mites
Stake tall varieties if needed

Hot weather stresses mums. Therefore, don’t let them dry out completely.

Fall Flowering Time

When mums bloom:

Continue watering regularly
Remove spent flowers (deadheading)
Stop fertilizing
Enjoy the show!

Deadheading extends the blooming period. However, some gardeners leave late flowers for winter interest.

Winter Protection

Proper winter care ensures your mums return:

Don’t cut plants back in fall – Dead stems protect roots
Wait until spring to trim
After the ground freezes, add 3-4 inches of mulch
Use straw, leaves, or evergreen boughs
Remove excess mulch in spring

In extremely cold areas, dig up plants and store them in a cool basement. Keep roots slightly moist through winter.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even experienced gardeners face challenges. Here’s how to grow chrysanthemum while avoiding common issues:

Pest Problems

Aphids – Small insects that cluster on new growth:

Spray with water to dislodge
Use insecticidal soap for heavy infestations
Encourage beneficial insects

Spider mites – Tiny pests causing stippled leaves:

Increase humidity around plants
Spray undersides of leaves with water
Apply neem oil if needed

Leaf miners – Create winding trails in leaves:

Remove affected leaves
Apply neem oil preventatively
Keep garden clean of debris

Disease Issues

Powdery mildew – White coating on leaves:

Improve air circulation
Water in morning
Apply sulfur or potassium bicarbonate

Root rot – Yellowing leaves, wilting:

Check drainage immediately
Reduce watering
Remove affected plants
Don’t replant mums in that spot

Leaf spot diseases – Brown spots on foliage:

Water at soil level only
Remove infected leaves
Avoid overhead watering
Apply appropriate fungicide

Troubleshooting Other Issues

Leggy, weak stems:

Not enough sunlight
Need pinching
Too much nitrogen

No flowers or delayed blooming:

Too much shade
Night lighting interfering
Planted too late in season

Plants dying in winter:

Planted in fall (not enough time to establish)
Poor drainage
Florist mums (not hardy)

Dividing Chrysanthemums

Division keeps mums healthy and vigorous. Here’s how to grow chrysanthemum through division:

When to divide: Every 2-3 years in early spring

Division steps:

Dig up entire clump when shoots are 1-3 inches tall
Shake off excess soil
Cut away the old, woody center
Divide remaining parts into sections
Each section needs several shoots and good roots
Replant immediately in improved soil

Division also gives you new plants to share or expand your garden.

Growing Chrysanthemums in Containers

Container growing works well, especially in cold climates. Follow these tips:

Pot Selection

Choose pots at least 12 inches wide and deep
Ensure drainage holes exist
Larger pots dry out slower

Potting Mix

Use quality, well-draining potting soil. Garden soil is too heavy for containers.

Container Care Differences

Check moisture daily
Fertilize more frequently (every 2 weeks)
Repot annually in spring
Move to protected spot in winter

Container mums make beautiful fall porch decorations. Furthermore, you can move them to showcase blooms where you want them.

Using Chrysanthemums in Garden Design

Now that you know how to grow chrysanthemum, use them creatively:

Placement Ideas

Front of borders – Low-growing cushion types
Mass plantings – Single color for impact
Mixed with – Ornamental grasses, asters, sedums
Containers – Combined with trailing plants
Cut flower gardens – Tall decorative varieties

For even more inspiration on styling greenery with your décor, check out Gorgeous Green Kitchen Ideas where I share cozy, plant-filled kitchen looks.

Color Combinations

Fall classic – Orange, yellow, burgundy
Soft and subtle – Pinks, lavenders, whites
Bold statement – Deep reds and purples
Monochrome – Single color in varying shades

Mums bloom when many other plants have finished. Therefore, they become the garden’s focal point in autumn.

Harvesting Chrysanthemum Flowers

Want cut flowers? Here’s how:

Cut when flowers are fully open
Remove lower leaves
Cut stems at an angle
Place immediately in water
Change water every 2-3 days

Chrysanthemum cut flowers last 7-10 days in a vase. Additionally, frequent harvesting encourages more blooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you grow chrysanthemum from seeds?

Yes, but it takes longer. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. However, most gardeners prefer plants or cuttings for faster results.

How long do chrysanthemums bloom?

Most varieties bloom for 4-6 weeks in fall. Deadheading extends the display.

Do mums attract pollinators?

Yes! Chrysanthemums attract butterflies and beneficial insects. They’re valuable late-season nectar sources.

Can you keep potted mums indoors?

While they’re indoors, place them in bright, indirect light. However, they’re outdoor plants long-term. After blooming, plant outside or store for winter.

Why didn’t my mums come back?

Common reasons include:

Planted in fall (insufficient root establishment)
Poor drainage
Non-hardy florist variety
Severe winter without protection

How tall do chrysanthemums grow?

Most garden varieties reach 1-3 feet tall. Height depends on variety and pinching frequency. Regular pinching keeps plants shorter and bushier.

Final Tips for Success

As you learn how to grow chrysanthemum, remember these key points:

Plant in spring for best winter survival
Choose hardy garden varieties over florist types
Ensure excellent drainage to prevent root rot
Pinch regularly for bushier plants and more flowers
Water consistently but avoid wet leaves
Don’t cut back in fall – wait until spring
Protect in winter with mulch after ground freezes
Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigor

With proper care, chrysanthemums reward you with spectacular fall color year after year. Start with just a few plants. Once you see how easy they are, you’ll want more.

Ready to Start Growing?

Now you know exactly how to grow chrysanthemum from start to finish. These tough, beautiful plants add life to autumn gardens when everything else is winding down.

Start planning your chrysanthemum garden today. Pick a sunny spot, prepare the soil, and order some hardy varieties. Next spring, plant them following this guide.

By fall, you’ll have gorgeous blooms to enjoy. Moreover, with proper care, those same plants will come back bigger and better every year. That’s the beauty of knowing how to grow chrysanthemum successfully!

And once your garden is glowing outside, you can balance things indoors with the calming greenery from Four Unique Bathroom Plants That Can Boost Your Health.

What chrysanthemum variety will you try first? Share your growing plans and questions in the comments below!