QA

Question: When To Plant Potted Mums In The Ground

If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you’re using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they’re blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.

Can you plant a potted mum in the ground?

Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Plant them at the same depth as they were in the pot and water them thoroughly after planting.

Is it too late to put mums in the ground?

Most gardeners plant mums too late in the fall for the plants to survive over winter. Some of the mums may come back the next year if they are mulched. The shallow-rooted mums that are planted late in fall while in full bud or flower just do not have enough time to establish before winter sets in.

When can I put mums outside?

The bottom line is that there’s not a “best” time to put out your potted mums, but you’ll get optimal plant performance in cooler weather. Mid- to late-September is ideal if you want to love your mums for as long as possible.

Can you replant potted mums outside?

The mums sold as potted or gift plants in spring are usually florist mums. They are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. You can transplant them outdoors any time of year except the hottest part of summer.

When should you plant potted mums in the ground?

If you’re using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you’re using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they’re blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.

Do mums come back every year?

They will grow back and your plant won’t look dead in the middle.” Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.

Can mums survive the winter in pots?

With potted mums, the first key is to never let them endure a freeze in their pot or container. Mums can survive light frosts and cold fairly easy, but a hard freeze can kill roots in pots permanently. Once potted mums have endured a hard freeze, their chances for surviving winter are slim.

What type of mums come back every year?

Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. Cut-flower chrysanthemums, like spider mums or football mums, are perennials in Zones 5 to 9, and these types are becoming easier to find for sale online.

Can hardy mums survive frost?

Most garden mums should be able to endure a light fall frost. Cover the plants at night when freeze warnings are in effect. However, if you are in a cold climate, leaving the dead foliage on the plants has been found to help the plant survive colder temperatures better than pruned plants.

Are mums frost hardy?

Mums do not respond well to frosts and freezes, which may not occur until December or January in warmer areas. If you don’t want your mums to suffer damage, you can protect them by moving them to a sheltered area such a garage or porch if they are potted.

Will potted mums bloom again?

A: They won’t flower again this year, but should next fall. You can keep them in containers or plant them in the garden in an organically enriched, well-draining soil and in five to six hours of sun. Since the blooms have faded, cut the plants back to 2 inches above ground and mulch heavily.

What to do with potted mums after blooming?

After they finish flowering, garden mums should be cut back far enough to remove all of the faded flowers (about one-quarter their height). If the winter stays very mild, some mums will produce a few more flowers. In late January or early February, garden mums should be cut back to about three inches from the ground.

Can Indoor chrysanthemums be planted outside?

The unusual new flower shapes also make the potted chrysanthemum a feature plant both indoors and outdoors.

Can mums be transplanted?

Mums are so easy to transplant that some gardeners grow them in rows through the summer in an out-of-the way place, perhaps even in the vegetable plot, until they are ready to be moved to flower beds, planter boxes, containers or wherever they are wanted for autumn color. They can be moved safely even when in flower.

What is the best time to transplant mums?

Transplant spring mums after frost danger has passed, and transplant fall mums at any time in late summer or fall, at least six weeks before the first expected frost.

Can you replant hardy mums?

Hardy mums (Chrysanthemum morifolium) bloom throughout the fall. They can be transplanted from pots to the ground in early spring after the first frost, giving them time to develop a full root system, or in the fall before the first frost.

How do you plant mums in the ground?

Garden mums are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10a. Prepare a location with full sun and well-drained soil by digging in a 2-inch layer of compost to a depth of about a foot. Garden mums will survive in partial shade, but they won’t bloom as well and tend to sprawl.

Do mums like sun or shade?

Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.

How do you care for outdoor potted mums?

Caring for outdoor mums Give mums plenty of space. It’s wise to plant your mums about 18 inches from other plants so their roots have room to expand. Water, but not too much. Deadhead. In colder climates your mums may need to be mulched using leaves, wood chips, or straw. If frost gets your mums, don’t fret.

How do I save my potted mums for next year?

Keep mums indoors until one week before the last expected spring frost. At that time, take the pot outdoors to its summer location for two or three hours, then bring it back indoors to its winter location. Each day, bring the pot outdoors and leave it there for an hour or so longer each time.

How do I get my mums to come back?

Newly purchased potted mums need to be kept consistently moist but not wet and in bright, indirect light indoors. They need at least five hours of full sun outdoors to stay healthy enough to successfully come back the next season.