When it comes to autumn, chrysanthemums are ranking queens. One bloom is actually a composite of tiny florets within. You can find these lovely flowers at hundreds of nurseries, all of which have different heights, colors, and blooming times. Unless you buy a cold-hardy plant, you can consider your mums as annuals. In either case, plant them in spring to maximize chrysanthemum care.

There are 13 types of mums classified by the National Chrysanthemum Society, one of which is sure to suit your tastes.

An Ancient Flower: The Chinese originally cultivated Chrysanthemums, writing about them some 3,000 years ago. In the healer’s kit, these flowers became remedies for things like headaches. There are four noble plants in Chinese culture. Chrysanthemum is one. The others are plum, orchid, and bamboo. Each flower represents the four seasons and virtues. Chrysanthemum’s season is fall, and the virtue is nobility.

Some say chrysanthemums are difficult to care for. That’s really not the case. With the right soil, water, and sunshine, they’re content. The only thing mums need is plucking dead flower heads right away.

If you start a chrysanthemum in a pot, you can transfer it into the soil. Just cut it down to about 6 inches and plant it in a sunny spot with good drainage. You can add some organic compost to your soil to boost the plant’s energy. They feed heavily.

TIP: Make sure your potted plants aren’t in a spot where they receive light from your porch or the street. This will slow the budding process.

Your mums thrive best when planted in spring. Set them about 3 feet apart (less if they are smaller cultivars).

Chrysanthemums in Japan

The generalized meaning of chrysanthemums is joy and a positive attitude. Looking more closely, in Japan, there is a National Chrysanthemum Day (September 9) nicknamed the “Festival of Happiness.” They hold this flower in such high regard that there is a military award, the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, which is the highest honor the Emperor can bestow.

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Mums are pretty straightforward plants. You need to keep their soil moist (not too dry and not too wet). Always water at the base of the plant.

Your mums are hungry and benefit from receiving a balanced fertilizer monthly (10-10-10). When you put the mums into the ground, mulch them. This deters weeds and conserves the soil moisture around the plant. You can stop fertilizing once there are buds.

If you’re looking for a bushy plant, the key is in pinching. When new shoots appear and reach 4” tall, pinch off the top. Make sure there are always 3 leaves on a shoot. Continue this process until you see buds developing.

Varieties Beyond Words: The Chrysanthemum name comes from two Green works: chrysos and anthemon, meaning gold flower. But these days, Chrysanthemums are anything but just gold. You can choose from orange, pink, purple, red, white, and yellow. Along with color, each has a specific size and floral pattern.

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Estimates place the varieties of chrysanthemums near the 20,000 point so that you won’t be wanting for options. Of those, forty are naturally occurring.

Tea Time

The Chinese enjoy chrysanthemum tea, made from dried flowers. They may also add the leaves to salads. It’s best to gather the flowers yourself or get them from an organic supplier. Make yourself a treat with .2 oz dried chrysanthemum flowers and three cups of water. Put the petals into a strainer. Boil the water and place the strainer into it. Steep for 5 minutes. A little honey is a nice touch.

When you first plant your chrysanthemum, you want it completely soaked to about 5 inches down. When you only give your plant regular light sprinklings, roots may not form properly. Always apply water directly to the soil, avoiding splatters on the foliage.

If you notice sad, droopy foliage or leaves turning brown, your plants are saying, Hey! I’m thirsty. If a chrysanthemum’s roots dry out, it’s nearly impossible to revive the plant. Conversely, waterlogged plants often lead to root rot (and they smell pretty bad).

Watch for the signals your garden provides. With time and attention, you’ll naturally know the rhythm of your plants and can care for them better.

What’s Bugging You? Chrysanthemums can protect against frustrating insects, like mosquitos. Unfortunately, just stuffing your garden full with them isn’t quite enough. Rather, the condensed oil extracted from chrysanthemum is the hero of the day. On bug repellants, it appears as “pyrethrum.”

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Mums do well with division every 2 to 3 years. Remove the plant from the pot or soil, and remove the old growth. Cut the rest into sections, each of which has roots and several shoots. Plant them.

When you first buy these flowers, they often come home rootbound. So give them a space 1-2” larger (diameter) than previously. Make sure to use soil with good organic ingredients. If your yard wants for nutrients, you may need to amend the soil before planting. Also, wherever you put your chrysanthemum, remember it needs excellent drainage (runoff). If you can hold off on moving your plants until autumn when they’re actively blooming, that’s best.

Floral Arrangements: When you’re thinking cut flowers, chrysanthemums are long-lasting. They remain fresh for between 2 and 4 weeks. If you change the water regularly, that extends their life even longer.

Come the spring, it’s time to cut back your mums, stopping about July 4th. Going too long into July can hinder fall flowers. When left to their own, they may grow leggy and unable to hold up blossoms. Pinch back your plant to maintain a compact shape. Without pruning, your summer blossoming period may be short.

When your plant reaches 6 inches tall in spring, begin pinching. Go to about 3 inches above the soil, above the leaf. New stems start growing. As those new stems reach 6 inches, pinch them back again.

The Meaning of Color

The Victorian Language of Flowers not only assigned symbolism to plants but also to each color of a plant. So, each color of a chrysanthemum has a slightly different connotation. Red traditionally means passion, white loyalty, purple thoughtfulness, and violet a wish for health and renewal.

Once they begin blooming, mums last for between 4 and 8 weeks. Each variety has a different time at which they’re expected to bloom, going from late July until October’s end. There are only some mums that are cold-hardy. If yours are not, it’s best to plant them in potters so you can overwinter them where it’s safe from frost.

If you live in USDA Zones 5 to 9, plant your mums in late September, covered with 3” of mulch. In colder zones, you should move the plant to a cool, dark place such as your basement or cellar. The best temperature range is 32F-50F. Sprits the roots periodically through winter so they don’t dry out completely. Wait until after the last killing frost to return them to your garden.

Chrysanthemum Factoids: If you were born in November, chrysanthemum is your birth flower. Chrysanthemums are not just one blossom, but rather a cluster of smaller flowers. Because chrysanthemums are the largest commercially produced flower in the United States, it has earned the designation Queen of Fall Flowers.

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Among the insects that may nibble on your flowers, aphids are typical. They suck on the plant’s sap, particularly new growth or the undersides of buds. The foliage, as a result, may slow in growth and look distorted. When aphids are around, sooty mold often follows because of the sticky substance the insect secretes. You can knock aphids off your plants with a solid spray of water. Do this every other day until you see no further signs.

Mites are also common, typically appearing when it’s hot and dry. These tiny critters have piercing mouths for puncturing the plant and sucking out the sap. The leaves on your plant develop yellow spots and look rather dusty. Flowers become discolored. Forceful water can work as it does on aphids, but if that doesn’t work, try insecticidal soap.

One disease that occurs is Leaf Spot. You’ll notice pinpoint spots of yellow that slowly become brown, and eventually black increasing to 1 inch. Lower leaves show problems the soonest, withering prematurely. Look to fungicides for assistance.

Chrysanthemum Myth

An ancient Chinese legend tells of an elderly emperor who heard rumors of an herb that would grant eternal youth. The stories said it grew on Dragonfly Island, and could only be picked by young people. Curious and hopeful. The emperor sent twenty-four children to the island. Oddly, upon arrival, nothing was there but a golden chrysanthemum. It now represents family ties.

Discolored leaves; mushy stems: too much water. Dry out the plant and make sure to provide proper drainage.

Flopping stems: Too much shade. Give your plant 6 hours of sun daily.

Woody stems; lower leaf loss: Underwatering. Adjust your watering schedule.

Blossoms and stem tips disappear: Potentially deer.

Folk Uses: People felt that having chrysanthemums around offered protection. The aroma inspires passion and romance. Magical practitioners saw it as a plant that motivates creativity and improves one’s connection to the world of Spirit.

With so many plants starting to fade come fall, chrysanthemums stand by to liven things up. They are not difficult flowers. Give them plenty of sun and moderate water. So doing increases the chance your mums will bloom until the first frost!

The study of chrysanthemum diversity is worthy of a lifetime, and one filled with beauty. I find them delightfully easy, requiring little in the way of time investment (great when you’re on a busy schedule). Just pay attention to your plants. They’ll often tell you what they need just by the way they look.