How to Propagate Spider Mums

Spider mums, a type of chrysanthemum, produce showy blooms up to 6 inches across with multiple petals, in the shape of long and thin tubes. Propagate spider mums in the spring by division of the plant or from cuttings of new growth. In either case, plant them in a well-drained soil amended with compost and choose a sunny spot. Many spider mum cultivars are not hardy but you can improve their chances of winter survival by applying mulch in the fall.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• Hormone rooting powder
• Perlite
• Seed tray
• 3-inch pots
• Potting compost
• Garden fork
• Spade
• Fertilizer

Instructions

Cuttings

1. Cut new shoots from the plant with a sharp knife in early spring, when they are between 3 and 5 inches tall. Slice off the leaves from the bottom half of the cuttings and dip the base of the cutting in hormone rotting powder.

2. Plant the cuttings in a seed tray or pot filled with damp perlite so that the remaining leaves are just above the surface of the perlite. Keep the perlite moist.

3. Uproot the cuttings carefully after two to three weeks when the roots are 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.

4. Plant the cuttings in 3-inch pots filled with potting compost or directly where they are to grow in the garden. Keep the new plants wet but avoid leaving them in standing water.

5. Pinch out the top of cuttings after planting and continue to remove new shoots every two or three weeks until late June. This promotes a bushier, more vigorous plant.

Division

1. Dig up mature plants with dead centers in spring when new shoots appear, with a garden fork. Do this every three to four years.

2. Cut the new shoots with their growing roots from the plant, discarding the central part with no new growth.

3. Dig holes and plant the new sections so that the growing shoots are just below the surface. Plant them 18 to 24 inches apart and water regularly until established.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage strong growth and increased flowering by regular application of a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Follow the fertilizer manufacturer's instructions.

• Growing from collected seed is possible, but the resulting plants will not be true to type.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: Planting and Propagating Chrysanthemums
• University of Minnesota Extension: Garden Chrysanthemums
• National Chrysanthemum Society: Chrysanthemum Classes

Resources

• Ohio State University Extension: Growing Chrysanthemums