How to Care for Mums in Containers

Care for your potted mum so the blooms last longer.

Chrysanthemums, or mums, are attractive flowering plants that belong to the daisy family. Crisp blooms in shades of orange, lavender, red, pink and yellow usually appear in November to brighten the dull landscape and signal the arrival of winter. Grow low-maintenance mums in containers to add a splash of fresh color to an indoor or outdoor spot. With proper care, your plants will continue to bloom throughout autumn.

Things You'll Need

• Watering can
• Well-balanced fertilizer
• Organic mulch
• Pruning scissors

Instructions

1. Place the potted mums in an outdoor spot that's exposed to full sunlight. If growing them indoors, place the pot near a window exposed to bright but indirect light, with daytime temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the potted plant away from any heating or cooling source.

2. Water the mums regularly to prevent the soil from drying out, preferably early in the morning. Irrigate the soil deeply two to three times a week; potted mums thrive in evenly moist soils.

3. Feed the potted plant a well-balanced, 10-10-10 fertilizer once a month, except from November to January. Follow manufacturer direction for application rates to avoid over-fertilizing the plant. Irrigate the plant before and after applying fertilizer to prevent the roots from burning.

4. Pinch off spent or dead flowers from the plant as soon as possible to prevent them from turning into seed. Remove the blooms flush against the stem to encourage the plant to produce more blooms.

5. Allow the potted mum to become dormant during winter. Plant the mums in the ground by the end of fall if temperatures in your region fall below freezing. Spread a deep layer of organic mulch over the mums to protect them from freezing. Alternatively, bring the potted mums indoors during the winter and position them near a sunny window.

6. Prune the mums in early spring, before new growth appears on the plants. Cut back taller stems down to 1 to 1 1/2 feet with sharp scissors so the plant grows bushy. Collect debris, dead leaves or petals from the base of the plant to maintain aesthetics.

Tips & Warnings

• Plant mums in well-draining, commercial soil or a mix composed of peat moss, organic compost and potting soil.

• Do not let the container soil become dry between watering, or the mum plant will wilt.

References

• Auburn University; Chrysanthemum; Dr. Raymond Kessler, Jr.
• University of Missouri Extension; Care of Flowering Potted Plants; David Trinklein, et al.; December 1998
• Acorn Farms: Caring For Your Mums
• Ohio State University FactSheet; Growing Chrysanthemums; Charles T. Behnke