Texas A&M AgriLife expert shares simple tips for longer-lasting color at home
Fall chrysanthemums, or “mums,” are a seasonal favorite that brings vibrant color to porches, patios and landscapes each year.
Their colorful blooms range from sunny yellow and crisp white to autumn shades of orange, red and lavender. Mums have become as much a part of the fall season as pumpkins and hay bales.
Andrew King, Ph.D., ornamental specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Research and assistant professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, shares advice for buying and caring for mums so they last as long as possible.
“I grew up growing and selling chrysanthemums,” he said. “They’re widely available and synonymous with fall, but it’s not always easy to keep them looking great.”
Tips for buying the best mums
Follow these tips from King to find the healthiest plants that best meet your needs:
- Shop early to get the best selection. The later you wait, the fewer fall colors and sizes you will find.
- Choose buds over blooms. Look for plants full of tight, green, unopened buds. They will bloom over a few weeks, providing you with more color for a longer period.
- Avoid stressed plants. Skip mums with yellowing leaves, spindly stems or few to no buds. Healthy, compact plants will last longer.
- Match the plant to your purpose. Annual mums provide a pop of color for the season while perennial plants return each year in gardens or landscapes. Your nursery can help you choose the right plant.
How to grow and care for mums
Choosing suitable plants is only the first step. Providing the proper care will keep your mums thriving throughout the entire season. Follow some tips from King to grow mums with long-lasting blooms:
- Water wisely. Too much or too little water can reduce bloom production or kill your mums. Check the soil with your finger and water only when the top feels dry.
- Provide good drainage. Roots need well-drained soil, whether in a nursery pot, planter or garden bed.
- Find the right light. Mums thrive in full sun but need to adjust slowly when moving them from a shady spot. Transition them gradually to avoid stress.
- Watch temperatures. Mums prefer temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees. Move them to the shade if it reaches 90 degrees and bring mums in containers inside before a freeze.
- Repot if needed. Rootbound plants appreciate more room and rich, peat-based soil.
- Deadhead for more blooms. Pinching off faded flowers encourages new buds and often a second round of blooms.
TOP PHOTO: Colorful chrysanthemum flowers in autumn. (Adobe Stock │ #534010119 – eqroy)
