Chrysanthemum plants are commonly known as mums, and these are some of the easiest flowering plants to grow. There are more than 150 varieties of mums that bloom bright color non-scented flowers. Chrysanthemum enhances the beauty of your garden, terrace, back yard, etc, with its colorful flowers. It is preferred as an indoor plant as well. The following article includes all the information regarding how to care for mums in pots.

Mums require very little care and love sunny spots. However, if you want your flowers to last longer than a week or two, there are a few things that you need to know. In this quick guide, we have mentioned all the important factors to help your mums to bloom.

How to Care for Mums in Pots

Mums plants are easy to take care of and make wonderful additions to homes or gardens. Here are some tips on how to grow them healthier with full bloom.

Size of the Pot/Container

The size of the pot is very much responsible for the healthy growth and good flower bloom for mums. It is always recommended to plant mums in a small or medium-sized container at the initial stage and change the size of the pot gradually as the size of the plant increases. This procedure helps the roots to grow better.

Location for Chrysanthemum

The chrysanthemum plant must be located in an area where there is bright but indirect sunlight. The chrysanthemum leaves should not have direct exposure to the sun because this can cause them to become burned or dry out.

Potting/Soil Mix

Chrysanthemums are winter plants, and they love moist and airy soil that helps in root development. The best soil mix for mums plants is in the ratio of 2:1 (i.e., approx. 60% Garden Soil & 40% River Sand). In addition to that small amount of fungicide can be added according to the size of the potting container.

Water Requirement  

Mums plants should only be watered when the soil has dried out completely. If you water them too often, they will become overwatered, and the plant’s leaves may begin to rot.

Also Read – How to Grow Pomegranate From Seed | In 3 Easy Steps

Overwatering can also cause stems or roots to develop mold or fungus that can kill the plant. Water your mums once or twice a week depending on how much light they receive and the weather conditions.

Nutrients for Good Bloom

Fertilizing is necessary for your mums to grow healthy and strong. A balanced, 10-10-10 NPK fertilizer diluted to ¼ strength every two weeks is usually enough to provide your plant with the nutrients it needs. Nutrients play an important role concerning how to care for mums in pots. When they are in full bloom during the spring season, use a fertilizer with high phosphorus content to ensure colorful blooms. For continuous blooming, use fertilizers that contain micronutrients, like Zinc.

Ideal Temperature for Mums

The optimum temperature for a chrysanthemum plant is 65°F-75°F, or 18°C-24°C, but they can survive 10°F colder or hotter. If the weather becomes too cold outside, you should move the plant inside during the colder months to keep it healthy and thriving.

Pruning

Pruning plays a vital role in branch development and the overall growth of a plant. Pinch the plant back when it reaches about 6 inches tall to encourage bushy, compact growth.

If you want more flowers, cut the stem just above a leaf node on the stem – this is where new leaves will emerge. Just make sure you cut the stem with a clean snip of your scissors or pruners, else the plant may catch disease.

5 Tips to Grow More Flowers & How to Care for Mums

• If you are planting your mum in a pot, ensure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes to avoid overwatering.
• Chrysanthemum plants do best when slightly root-bound, so you may want to re-pot your plant every couple of years. It will allow the roots of the chrysanthemum plant to continue growing and keep it producing beautiful blooms.
• Make sure to monitor the moisture of the soil closely, as dryness can quickly kill chrysanthemum plants. If you are unsure whether or not your plant needs watered, you should wait until the top inch of the soil is dry before watering it again.
• If you choose to fertilize your potted mums plant, add fertilizer once a month and water thoroughly after application.
• Do not let the top of your pot sit in water; this can cause problems with fungus or mold that can kill your plant.

How to Care for Potted Mums

Provide your potted mums with at least 4-5 hours of sunlight daily and water them only when the soil is dry but not desiccated. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer.

When growing mums in containers, make sure you choose a pot with at least one drainage hole and fill it with potting soil that has excellent drainage. You can also mix some sand into the soil to ensure good drainage before adding the mums.

How to Protect Mums from Pests

Aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies are common pests that can infest chrysanthemum plants if they are not kept in a clean environment. Watch your plant’s leaves carefully for small yellow or brown dots; this may indicate that you have an infestation. If so, you can remove the affected leaves of the plant and spray it with neem oil to kill the bugs.

Closure

The bright pigmented flowers of chrysanthemum will surely make your garden look appealing and give you inner joy. Mums can be easily grown in pots/containers in places with cool temperatures. Very little care is required for the mums to grow. We have compiled this article on the topic – how to care for mums in pots that will help you with a lot of flowers in your mums’ plants.

We have researched all over the internet to compile this plant care guide. If you find anything, do let us know in the comment section. If you have any further questions or queries, let us know, we will get back to you soon.