Chrysanthemums: Facts, types, grow and maintenance tips

Chrysanthemum plants are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful plants on this planet. These plants are believed to be very auspicious and come in an array of jewel-toned colours.  A member of the Asteraceae family, Chrysanthemum Morifolium is a plant that can be grown indoor, in gardens or patios.

Commonly known as mums, these plants are primarily used as ornamental plants and are undeniably the most popular plant in stores. These plants are sold in full bloom, which means that they don’t last as long when they are store-bought. This may be fine if you purchase it only as a seasonal decoration. The mums are usually planted in the spring, which gives them plenty of time to root properly so that they can bloom for several years.

These plants are best when grown as an annual and can be in full bloom right around the fall season, which the chrysanthemum plant is synonymous with. 

 

Chrysanthemums: Quick facts

Scientific name	Chrysanthemum morifolium
Common name	Chrysanthemum, mums
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Mature size	2-3 ft. tall
Sun exposure	Full sun
Soil type	Rich and moist
Soil pH	Neutral to slightly acidic
Bloom time	Late summer, fall
Flower colour	Gold, white, cream, pink, lavender and purple
Nativity	Asia and northeastern Europe
Toxicity	Toxic to pets
Hardiness zones	3 through 9

 

What are Chrysanthemum?

Chrysanthemums are a class of perennial, herbaceous flowering plants from the Chrysanthemum genus of the family Asteraceae. It is characterised by alternate leaves arrangement, divided into leaflets, and connected to stalks with hairy bases.

 

Chrysanthemums: Types

There are three main types of chrysanthemums based on their colour, bloom time and petal shape. 

Ruby mound

Source: Pinterest

This variety of chrysanthemums blooms early in the season and reaps large maroon-red flowers. 

Patriot

Source: pinterest

These mums bloom during the mid to late season and bloom with ivory white pom pom-shaped flowers. 

Tripoli

Source: Pinterest

This variety of chrysanthemums blooms very late with vibrant pink daisy-like flowers that are vibrant pink with yellow centres. 

 

Steps to planting Chrysanthemums

Plant Chrysanthemums during spring gives the perennial plant time to establish and adapt to the new surroundings. This enables the root system to become stronger throughout the summer and fall, thus improving the plant’s ability to survive the winter.

• Use a shovel to dig a hole twice the size of the plants’ roots. That it, it should have the same depth as the flowerpot but twice in width, to allow ample space for the roots to grow.
• Place the chrysanthemum plants carefully in the hole. Maintain a space of 18 to 24 inches between the plants to avoid overcrowding.
• Pour fresh soil to cover the roots and empty spaces. Pack down the soil with your hands to ensure it is even with the ground.

 

Chrysanthemums: How to grow?

Chrysanthemums are ideally planted in the spring and given adequate time to grow in their place all season. They need to be given enough time to get their space and grow enough to be truly hardy. The mums sold in nurseries are not meant to be grown and are strictly sold as ornamental plants. 

In warmer climates, plant the mums in late summer for them to bloom in time, and a little bit of deadheading will ensure proper blooming of the flowers. In colder climates, perennial plants like the chrysanthemum plant need stronger roots to hold onto the ground. The incessant freezing and thawing of the ground underneath may cause the roots to die. 

Chrysanthemums planted in the spring will get enough time to grow their roots. These mums will start blooming by the end of summer. Moreover, pinch the plants intermittently throughout the summer to get fall flowers as a resultant. To achieve this, begin pinching when the plants are 4-5 inches tall and repeat every 2-3 weeks until the first week of July. Due to this, the plant will get bushy and, by the end of summer, will be covered by flower buds. 

Source: Pinterest

Mums need full sun to ensure proper functioning. These plants thrive under full sunlight and should not be planted near street lights or lamps. This is to prevent disrupting their photoperiodic cycle.

Mums need rich, well-drained soil that is fertile and has a lot of organic matter in it. They prefer slightly acidic soil. 

Mums can tolerate cooler temperatures but do way better in warmer climates. 

 

Chrysanthemums: Maintenance

Chrysanthemums prefer soil that is moist but not soggy. Water should be fed when the top one inch of the soil is dry to the touch. If grown in a pot, water until moisture begins to drain from the bottom of the pot. There should be enough drainage holes for mums to grow properly. Keep the soil moist but not soggy to prevent diseases and pests. 

In hotter climates, a condition known as ‘heat delay’ may affect the plants and cause them to bloom later than the anticipated time, and this can lead to uneven flowering, uneven leaf withering and a lot more. To combat this problem, go for cultivars with higher heat tolerance. 

Source: Pinterest

Feed fertilisers to the plant during its vegetative phase and use only a 20-10-20 grade fertiliser to ensure proper growth. To help with root development, use superphosphate and then switch to a 5-10-5 fertiliser during the growing phase. All this is strictly suggested to be done after the last frost of winter has passed. 

Diseases and pests  

There are numerous diseases like leaf spots, powdery mildew, pythium root, verticillium, and a lot more. These ailments can be curbed by removing the infected parts of the plant. 

As for pests, the chrysanthemum is vulnerable to aphids and spider mites, which can be combated by using neem oil. 

 

Chrysanthemums: Uses 

The chrysanthemum flower doesn’t just sit idle and look pretty. It has numerous medicinal benefits such as: 

• Used to treat chest pain, blood pressure, diabetes, ailments like fever, cold, headaches, etc. 
• Increases blood flow to and from the heart. 

 

FAQs

What does photoperiodic mean?

A plant is said to be photoperiodic if they bloom in response to shorter days and longer nights.

Can you eat parts of chrysanthemums?

Although they look delicious, chrysanthemums should be avoided when it comes to edible plants, and in most cases, they have been found to be toxic as well.

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at [email protected]