Outdoor Mum Plant Care

Proper care of mums produces plenty of beautiful blooms.

Mums provide beautiful blooms and attractive foliage year round. With proper planting and care, mums will develop into a reliable perennial in your garden for years to come.

Significance

Not all mums are outdoor-hardy. Hardy mums are indicated by the words garden or hardy. Select these types of mums if you wish to over-winter them. Otherwise, regular mums will suffice.

Timing

Plant mums outside in the spring to allow them enough time to establish a strong root system. An established root system is essential in over-wintering the mums.

Considerations

Plant mums in full sun for optimal success. Avoid planting mums too close to trees and shrubs. Confirm the soil has good drainage ability, as mums don't tolerate soggy soil. Provide the mums with a dry fertilizer such as a 5-10-10 or a a soluble fertilizer such as a 20-20-20. Follow label instructions carefully to prevent over-fertilizing, also called fertilizer burn.

Watering

Water mums during the day, so the foliage has a chance to dry off before nightfall. This is crucial to preventing disease.

Pruning

Prune dead leaves and stems away from the mums after fall bloom.

Warning

Failure to cover mums during periods of frost may result in injury or death of the plant.

References

• University of Illinois Extension: Growing Mums
• Iowa State University Extension: Mums the Word for Fall Color in the Garden
• Penn State University Extension, Franklin County: Chrysanthemums

Resources

• National Chrysanthemum Society
• Evergreen Chrysanthemum Association
• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service: Garden Mums