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If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you’re using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they’re blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.
Can I plant potted mums in the fall?
Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Although your potted mums may look dead, they might just be dormant.
Will mums come back every year?
They will grow back and your plant won’t look dead in the middle.” Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.
When should I put potted mums in?
When should I put out pots of mums? Depending on the weather, Labor Day weekend can be a good time to put out your pots of mums and start planning your fall gardening and decorating. If it’s still sweltering, though, you may want to wait a few weeks and put out your mums in mid- to late-September.
How late in the year can you plant mums?
Most gardeners plant mums too late in the fall for the plants to survive over winter. Some of the mums may come back the next year if they are mulched. The shallow-rooted mums that are planted late in fall while in full bud or flower just do not have enough time to establish before winter sets in.
Can mums survive the winter in pots?
Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently. Once potted mums have endured a hard freeze, their chances for surviving winter are slim. Cut mums back to within a few inches of the soil line before bringing indoors.
How do I save my potted mums for next year?
Keep mums indoors until one week before the last expected spring frost. At that time, take the pot outdoors to its summer location for two or three hours, then bring it back indoors to its winter location. Each day, bring the pot outdoors and leave it there for an hour or so longer each time.
Do mums like sun or shade?
Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.
Are potted mums annuals or perennials?
There are potted florist mums, which look just like garden (hardy) mums and even share the same botanical name (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)—and they’re perennials, but their survival depends on when you get them and where you live. Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums.
Should you cut back mums in the spring?
As mums begin to grow through the spring and into summer, they’re going to start producing buds. To get the most out of a mum, it’s best to prune those buds, pinching them back until the time comes to let the plants develop new leaves, branches, and flowers. That way they’ll look gorgeous next fall.
How long do potted mums last outside?
Garden mums may be grown in containers, or planted in beds with existing shrubs and flowers. Flowers generally last about two or three weeks, depending on the outdoor temperatures and how far along the blooming process was when the plants were purchased.
How do you care for outdoor mums in pots?
Care of Mums in Pots While your plant is in its container, keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Mums are thirsty plants, so check them for moisture often. Water them during the morning, so that the leaves have time to dry during the day. Never allow them to wilt.
Are chrysanthemums frost hardy?
If you wish to grow Chrysanthemums in your garden you need to know how to help them survive winter. These plants are not difficult to grow but they don’t do well in cold weather.
Can you plant hardy mums in the ground?
Hardy mum varieties are best suited for planting mums in the ground. Think about what color or type of look you want to create. If you want to add color to a fall flowerbed, choose pom pom or button mums that will create lots of eye catching color.
Can I save my mums for next year?
Overwintering mums is possible. Because people often think that mums (formally called Chrysanthemums) are at best a finicky perennial, many gardeners treat them as annuals, but this doesn’t have to be the case. With just a little winter care for mums, these fall beauties can come back year after year.
Will potted mums bloom again?
A: They won’t flower again this year, but should next fall. You can keep them in containers or plant them in the garden in an organically enriched, well-draining soil and in five to six hours of sun. Since the blooms have faded, cut the plants back to 2 inches above ground and mulch heavily.
Can you keep hardy mums indoors?
Mums are spectacular fall plants that can be brought indoors and used for decorating. Caring for mums indoors is easy and with only a few tips you can keep a mum plant healthy for three to four weeks. They are a big bang for your buck as they are less expensive than most bouquets of flowers.
