How to care for mums is one of the most common questions gardeners ask each fall—and for good reason. These vibrant blooms add a burst of color to porches, garden beds, and containers just as other plants begin to fade. Whether you’re growing them in pots on your patio or planting them directly in your garden, mums can thrive with the right care. Knowing when and how to plant, water, and maintain your mums ensures they bloom longer and return stronger year after year.

Proper care goes beyond just watering. It involves choosing the right variety, understanding sunlight needs, prepping your soil, and even seasonal tasks like pinching and winterizing. In this complete guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to keep your mums looking their best—from early planting tips to protecting them through the colder months.

Table of Contents

Are Mums Perennials or Annuals?

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If you’ve ever bought mums in the fall, you might wonder whether they’ll return next year—or if you’ll need to replace them. The answer depends on the type of mum you have. Understanding how to care for mums begins with knowing whether you’re working with florist mums or garden mums.

Florist mums, often sold in grocery stores or garden centers in autumn, are typically grown for short-term display. These mums have shallow roots and are not built to withstand cold temperatures. They’re best treated as annuals—enjoy them while they last, but don’t expect them to survive the winter.

Garden mums (also called hardy mums), on the other hand, are perennials in USDA zones 5–9. When planted in the spring, they have time to develop strong root systems that can endure winter conditions. With proper planting and seasonal care, garden mums can return year after year with vibrant blooms.

📝 Tip: If you’re hoping to overwinter your mums, always choose garden mums and plant them in the spring, not fall.

How to Care for Mums in Pots

Knowing how to care for mums in pots is key if you’re decorating patios, balconies, or entryways with these autumn favorites. Potted mums, especially florist varieties, are widely available and make a bold seasonal statement. But to keep them thriving, a little extra attention goes a long way.

Choose the Right Mum

Start by selecting a plant with more tight buds than open flowers. This ensures a longer bloom period and reduces stress during transplanting. Look for firm stems, healthy foliage, and no signs of pests or mildew.

Use the Right Container

Choose a pot with good drainage holes and enough room for root expansion. Mums hate soggy roots, so avoid containers that hold too much moisture. A slightly larger pot than the nursery container allows the roots to settle in comfortably.

Repot Immediately

Most mums come root-bound from garden centers. Gently loosen the root ball and repot them in fresh potting mix enriched with compost. This helps your plant absorb nutrients more effectively and reduces transplant shock.

🌿 Tip: After repotting, water thoroughly and keep the pot in bright but indirect sunlight for a few days to allow the roots to adjust.

Repotting Florist Mums

Repotting is one of the most important steps in learning how to care for mums, especially florist mums that come packed into tight nursery pots. These containers often restrict root growth and dry out quickly, making your mums more vulnerable to stress and dehydration.

Why Repot?

Florist mums usually have compacted roots from growing in small plastic pots. If left as-is, the roots can struggle to absorb moisture and nutrients efficiently. Repotting gives your mum a better foundation for healthier blooms and longer-lasting flowers.

How to Repot Properly

1. Gently remove the plant from its nursery pot.
2. Loosen the root ball carefully with your fingers—don’t worry if a few roots break.
3. Place it in a clean container with fresh well-draining potting mix.
4. Water thoroughly, making sure excess water drains out the bottom.
5. Place the pot in a location that gets at least 6 hours of sun each day.

🚫 Avoid using garden soil in pots—it’s too dense and can lead to poor drainage.

Repotting may seem like a minor task, but it plays a big role in helping your mums thrive through the season.

Watering Mums

When it comes to how to care for mums, consistent watering is non-negotiable. These plants are thirsty, especially when in full bloom or growing in pots. But there’s a fine line between enough and too much.

General Watering Guidelines

• Newly planted mums need a deep soak to help establish their roots.
• Potted mums often need watering every 1–2 days, especially in warm, sunny weather.
• Garden mums typically require about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation.

Signs of Underwatering

• Drooping or limp leaves
• Dry, brittle stems
• Flower buds that fail to open

Avoid Overwatering

Overwatering is just as harmful. If your soil stays soggy, the roots can rot. Always check soil moisture before watering again—stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it’s still damp, hold off.

💡 Pro Tip: Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage. This reduces the risk of fungal diseases like powdery mildew.

A regular watering routine will keep your mums lush, colorful, and blooming beautifully all season long.

Decorating with Mums

Learning how to care for mums isn’t just about maintenance—it’s also about showcasing their beauty. Mums are a staple in fall decorating thanks to their rich colors, tidy shape, and long-lasting blooms. Whether you’re sprucing up a front porch or adding late-season color to garden beds, mums deliver bold seasonal charm.

Porch & Patio Displays

Group mums in odd numbers—three or five pots together creates visual balance. Use different heights by placing pots on crates, stands, or steps. Combine them with pumpkins, gourds, and ornamental cabbage for a festive autumn look.

Color Combinations

Stick to one or two bold colors for a more cohesive effect from a distance. Or create a subtle ombre design by blending related shades like:

• Deep burgundy to burnt orange
• Bright yellow to creamy white
• Lavender to rich purple

Garden Bed Accents

Mass-plant hardy mums in garden borders or use them to fill gaps where summer flowers have faded. Their mounded shape and dense blooms create structure and contrast, especially when paired with ornamental grasses, sedum, or evergreen shrubs.

🎨 Want maximum impact? Plant by bloom time to stagger flowering and enjoy color throughout the season.

When to Plant Mums in the Garden

Timing is everything when learning how to care for mums, especially if you want them to return year after year. The biggest mistake many gardeners make is planting mums in the fall—right when they’re in full bloom. Unfortunately, that’s too late for them to establish strong roots before winter.

The Best Time to Plant

Spring is the ideal time to plant garden mums (hardy mums). This gives them an entire growing season to develop a deep, healthy root system that can handle cold weather.

Fall-planted mums may look beautiful initially, but without sufficient time to settle in, their survival rate through winter drops dramatically.

What Happens If You Plant in Fall?

• Shallow roots make them vulnerable to frost
• Lack of root development weakens the plant
• Often treated as annuals instead of perennials

If you’ve fallen in love with fall mums at the store, enjoy them in pots or as seasonal accents—but don’t count on them returning next year unless you live in a very mild climate.

🌱 For long-term success, plant garden mums in early to mid-spring, and mulch well before winter.

How to Plant Mums

Once you’ve got the timing right, the next step in how to care for mums is learning how to plant them properly. Whether you’re transplanting nursery mums or dividing mature ones, good planting technique helps your mums thrive and bloom beautifully.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

1. Choose a sunny spot: Mums need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce strong stems and full blooms.
2. Prepare the soil: Loosen soil 8–12 inches deep and mix in compost for drainage and nutrients.
3. Dig the hole: Make it about 1 inch deeper than the pot they came in.
4. Loosen the roots: Gently break up the root ball before planting to encourage outward growth.
5. Backfill and water: Fill the hole, press the soil gently around the plant, and water thoroughly.

🪴 Spacing Tip: Give mums room to grow—space them 18–24 inches apart to avoid overcrowding and disease.

By following these steps, you’re giving your mums the foundation they need to grow into full, mounded plants with lasting blooms.

Sunlight

Sun exposure is a major factor in how to care for mums effectively. These sun-loving plants won’t perform well in shady spots, no matter how much water or fertilizer you provide.

How Much Sun Do Mums Need?

Mums need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day—and more is even better. Full sun encourages strong stems, compact growth, and plenty of vibrant blooms.

What Happens Without Enough Light?

• Plants grow tall and leggy
• Fewer buds and smaller flowers
• Blooms may be pale or delayed

If you’re growing mums in containers, place them on a sunny porch or deck that gets light most of the day. For in-ground mums, choose a garden bed with unobstructed sun exposure.

☀️ Pro Tip: Morning sun is especially helpful because it dries off overnight dew, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.

Sunlight is non-negotiable—it’s one of the easiest ways to ensure your mums are happy, healthy, and blooming for weeks on end.

Soil

Getting the soil right is crucial for growing vibrant, healthy mums. These plants don’t tolerate soggy roots or compacted soil, so drainage is the name of the game.

What Kind of Soil Do Mums Need?

Mums thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. If your garden soil is heavy clay or tends to stay wet, it’s time to improve the structure before planting.

How to Prepare the Soil

• Mix in compost or aged manure to improve drainage and add nutrients
• Loosen soil to a depth of 8–12 inches to help roots spread easily
• In very poor or compacted soil, consider raised beds filled with a quality garden mix

🌱 Container Tip: Use a lightweight potting mix with added perlite or sand for excellent drainage in pots.

Avoid using garden soil in containers—it’s too dense and holds water, which increases the risk of root rot.

Good soil not only supports healthy growth but also helps your mums bloom longer and return stronger next season.

Water

Even in the garden, mums have specific watering needs—and consistent moisture plays a big role in how to care for mums successfully. Neglect this step, and your mums may wilt, brown, or produce fewer blooms.

How Often Should You Water Mums in the Garden?

• Newly planted mums need to be watered deeply and regularly until established.
• Once settled, mums need about 1 inch of water per week—either from rain or irrigation.
• In hot or dry conditions, check the soil more frequently to prevent stress.

Signs Your Mums Need Water

• Lower leaves turn brown or limp
• Buds may fail to open or fall off prematurely
• Soil feels dry 1–2 inches below the surface

Best Watering Practices

• Water at the base of the plant to keep foliage dry and avoid fungal disease.
• Avoid overhead sprinklers, especially in humid climates.
• Add organic mulch to retain soil moisture and prevent evaporation.

💧 Reminder: Mums have shallow roots, so even short droughts can cause damage if ignored.

Consistent, thoughtful watering leads to stronger plants, longer blooms, and fewer pest or disease problems.

Fertilizer

Feeding mums properly is a key part of how to care for mums, especially if you’re growing them as perennials. The right nutrients help mums build strong roots, grow fuller, and produce more blooms.

When to Fertilize

• Garden mums planted in spring benefit from regular feeding.
• Start fertilizing after new growth appears and continue every 2–4 weeks until mid-summer.
• Stop fertilizing by late summer to allow the plant to focus on bud formation and winter hardiness.

What Kind of Fertilizer?

Use a balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 blend. Phosphorus helps promote root development and flower production.

How to Apply

• Follow package instructions—never over-fertilize.
• Water the plant before and after applying to prevent root burn.
• For potted mums, apply diluted liquid fertilizer every few weeks during the growing season.

🚫 Don’t fertilize fall mums that are grown as annuals or bought already blooming—extra nutrients won’t help, and could stress the plant.

Proper feeding keeps your mums vigorous and ensures they reward you with lush blooms and strong growth year after year.

How to Winterize Garden Mums

If you’re serious about how to care for mums as perennials, proper winter care can mean the difference between a thriving plant next spring—or one that never returns.

When to Start Winterizing

Begin winter prep after the first hard frost, when your mums have finished blooming and the foliage starts to die back. Don’t rush—wait until nature signals that the growing season is truly over.

Step-by-Step Winter Prep

1. Stop fertilizing by late summer to slow growth before winter.
2. Leave the stems intact—don’t cut them back in fall. The extra structure helps insulate the crown.
3. Apply mulch 3–4 inches deep using straw, shredded leaves, or bark mulch.
4. Cover the base of the plant, but don’t bury the crown completely.

🥶 In colder zones, consider covering mums with a breathable frost cloth or even digging them up and overwintering in containers indoors.

Spring Care Tip

Once the weather warms, remove the mulch and prune away dead stems. If your mums survived, you’ll see fresh green shoots near the base.

Winterizing correctly boosts your mums’ chances of returning stronger and blooming beautifully year after year.

Pinching Mums

Pinching is a simple pruning method that plays a big role in how to care for mums, especially if you want that classic, full dome of blooms. This technique encourages bushier growth and more flower buds by stimulating side shoots.

What Is Pinching?

Pinching means removing the growing tip of each stem. This causes the plant to branch out, resulting in a denser, more compact shape with significantly more blooms.

When to Pinch Mums

• Start in spring when stems reach about 6 inches tall
• Repeat every 2–3 weeks until early July
• Stop pinching after July 4th to give the plant time to set flower buds

How to Pinch Properly

1. Use your thumb and forefinger (or clean shears) to remove the top 1–2 inches of each stem.
2. Focus on new growth that’s at least 3–5 inches long.
3. Continue regularly until mid-summer.

✂️ Don’t pinch fall-blooming florist mums—they’ve already been pruned to shape before being sold.

Pinching may seem minor, but it’s one of the best ways to shape your mums into dense, flower-covered mounds that last through fall.

Types of Mums

Understanding the different types of chrysanthemums helps you select varieties that match your garden’s style and blooming goals. While learning how to care for mums is essential, knowing what you’re growing is just as important.

Decorative Mums

These are the most common mums sold in fall. They feature densely packed petals that curve either inward (incurved) or outward (reflex). Popular cultivars include:

• ‘Coral Charm’ – shades of purple, peach, and pink
• ‘Fireflash’ – bold orange with yellow highlights

Pom Pom Mums

Also called button mums, these produce small, rounded blooms that resemble fluffy spheres. Ideal for borders and containers, with colors from soft pinks to deep reds.

• Examples: ‘Tinkerbell’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Ruby Mound’

Single & Semidouble Mums

These resemble daisies, with a flat center and 1–3 layers of petals. They’re airy, elegant, and great for naturalistic gardens.

• Notable varieties: ‘Single Apricot Korean’, ‘Crimson Glory’

Spoon Mums

Named for their spoon-shaped petals, these mums are compact and eye-catching. The most well-known is:

• ‘Kimie’ – golden petals with a bold central disk

Quilled Mums

Quilled mums have tube-like petals, giving them a spiky, dramatic look. Often used for statement displays.

• Try ‘Mammoth Yellow Quill’ or ‘Seatons Toffee’

Anemone Mums

These blooms feature flat petals with a raised central button made up of tiny florets. They’re charming and petite—perfect for mixed beds.

• Examples: ‘Dorothy Mechen’, ‘Adrienne Mechen’

Spider Mums

With their long, spindly petals, spider mums are bold and architectural. They add texture and height to fall arrangements.

• Popular picks: ‘Western Voodoo’, ‘Seiko Fusui’

🌸 Mixing types in your garden or pots can create an impressive visual range—just be sure their bloom times and care needs align.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mums deer-resistant?

Mums are not a favorite snack for deer, thanks to their slightly bitter taste and strong scent. However, in areas with high deer pressure or limited food, hungry deer may still nibble. If this is a concern, apply a deer repellent spray or plant near other deer-resistant plants.

Can I divide mums?

Yes! If you’re growing mums as perennials, divide them every 2–3 years in the spring after new growth appears. Dig up the whole plant, then separate and replant the outer sections. Discard the older center portion for best results.

Why are my mums turning brown?

Browning is usually due to inconsistent watering, poor drainage, or the plant being past its prime bloom. Make sure the soil stays evenly moist and remove spent blooms to encourage fresh ones.

Do mums attract pollinators?

Yes—bees and butterflies love mums, especially single and semidouble types that have accessible centers. Planting mums can support local pollinator populations well into fall.

What can I plant with mums?

Mums pair beautifully with:

• Ornamental grasses
• Sedum
• Kale or cabbage
• Pumpkins and gourds

These companions highlight the mums’ texture and color while keeping your fall garden visually balanced.

🌼 Still wondering how to care for mums long-term? The key is consistency—sun, water, space, and seasonal attention will keep them looking great year after year.

Conclusion

Mastering how to care for mums means more than just watering and watching them bloom. With the right planting time, location, and seasonal maintenance, mums can reward you with brilliant color well into fall—and even return year after year if treated right. Whether you’re planting hardy mums in your garden or decorating your porch with florist mums, consistent care makes all the difference.

Keep their roots healthy, give them sun, pinch at the right time, and mulch before winter. Follow these simple steps, and your mums will remain a standout feature in your fall landscape for seasons to come.

🌿 Love gardening inspiration? Follow me on Pinterest for bold plant ideas, tips, and seasonal color!

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