Updated at: 02-11-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

In gardens, Chrysanthemum, or “mums,” are a popular choice because of their vibrant colors and attractive qualities. It’s a common goal for gardeners to find strategies to keep their mums blooming during the winter months.

Tender perennials, such as mums, are more susceptible to frost damage than hardy perennials. If the plants are not covered or protected in some way, frosts are likely to inflict damage to mums.

When it comes to protecting your mothers from the harsh winter cold, there are a number of issues to consider. In this post, we’ll talk about the finest kind of mothers for dealing with frost, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of planting mums in the ground as opposed to pots.

Mums Container Culture

According to the Jim Jenkins Lawn and Garden Center, potted mums bloom joyfully from late summer through fall if they are positioned in full light and protected from late afternoon heat. In order to avoid drying out, chrysanthemum potted plants need to be watered daily because they are such moisture hogs. Trim back the top growth to within an inch of the earth as fall flowers fade. Removing the blooms helps the mums have a greater chance of surviving the winter, whether they’re indoors or outside.

How Cold Can Mums Tolerate - Krostrade

Frost-Free, Not Worry-Free

Keep potted chrysanthemums outside in the winter if temperatures don’t fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. They should start growing again in the spring. But in mild winter climates, the mothers may suffer from being overly wet during the season. To avoid becoming flooded, keep potted plants on a covered, unheated porch or in a carport. Remove chrysanthemums from their pots if there is no protected place. To avoid the root rot that can destroy chrysanthemums in the winter, cover the root balls with sand or mulch and use it to shield them from the wind and cold.

Mums Cold-Snap Precautions

Perennials in pots are often two hardiness zones more delicate than their indicated in-ground hardiness rating would imply. This would limit the hardiness of potted garden mums to USDA zone 9, which has an average minimum temperature of 20 to 30 F. The plants should be watered thoroughly when frost approaches, and they should be moved to a covered area or placed in groups of potted plants on grass or soil, not on concrete or decking, so that they can absorb heat and moisture. You can protect your chrysanthemums from frost by covering them with spun fleece fabric or even a sheet. Mulch around the pots if the cold lasts longer than a few of days.

Indoor Mums Option

Garden mums, being sensitive perennials, require a resting period before blooming again the next year. Even if you bring them indoors, they will not go into dormancy because they will not be exposed to sunlight. If you arrange your potted chrysanthemums in a location that gets full sun or additional light, you can bring them indoors when frost is imminent. The University of Missouri recommends a daytime temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a nighttime temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

How cold is too cold for mums?

Moms have a certain tolerance for cold. Mums can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making them ideal for containers. They can tolerate temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but they’ll require plenty of water and some protection from the sun.

When bringing moms indoors, what temperature should you keep them at? Moms who want to stay inside can choose this option.

If you arrange your potted chrysanthemums in a location that gets full sun or additional light, you can bring them indoors when frost is imminent. The University of Missouri recommends a daytime temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a nighttime temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does frost harm mums? A light fall frost should be no problem for most garden mothers. Cover your plants at night if there are freezing warnings. Plants that are allowed to remain unpruned in cold climates do better in the cold than those that have had their dead foliage removed.

For how long may a mother be out and about? Don’t choose flowers that have already started to wilt. It is possible to cultivate garden mums in containers, or to put them with other plants and flowers in the garden. Floral displays can endure anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on weather conditions and how far along the plant’s blooming process was when it was bought.

Is the cold bad for mums?

Frosts and freezes, which in milder climates may not occur until December or January, have a negative impact on mums. While garden or hardy perennial mums are likely to survive the winter, pot mums are usually done for the year. For as long as the freeze lasts, you should perform this at all hours of the day and night.

How to Overwinter Hardy Garden Chrysanthemums | Gardener's Path

Should I bring my mums inside?

In cooler climates, you may be able to leave your mums in the ground all winter long if you cover them with a thick layer of mulch. As a precaution, bring your mums within for the winter to protect them from the cold. Mums should be left outside until the first frost, at which point the foliage and blooms will begin to wither.

What is the lowest temperature mums can tolerate?

Most species of mum are hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, but this can vary slightly depending on the particular variety. Temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit are safe for mothers, according to the USDA map.

Should you deadhead mums?

In order to keep your mothers from drying out, you don’t want to give them too much water. Keep your flowers looking their best by deadheading frequently. Mums that have wilting flowers and rotting stems/leaves look better and last longer if you remove them.

How do I save my potted mums for next year?

Before bringing mums indoors, trim them back to within a few inches of the soil line. Prior to bringing inside, trim back the mum by a couple of inches above the soil line of the pot. Storage in a cold basement or semi-heated garage is ideal for optimal results. To avoid freezing, the goal is to allow them to go dormant.

Can fall mums handle frost?

Mums that are able to resist the chilly winters in our area. Return to video

It’s time to introduce the toughest garden mums, grown in Alberta and Minnesota and capable of surviving a zone 3-4 climate. As they bloom continuously from August to October, they are the most eye-catching autumnal plants.

What kind of mums come back every year?

Two types of mothers exist: garden mums, which can be grown year-round, and hardy perennial moms. Garden mums are the potted annuals that are sold across the United States each fall.

When should I trim my mums?

Mums should be pruned every spring as soon as they start to grow. This cannot be overstated. Cut back mums in early spring, and they are more likely to produce an early and disappointing bloom phase in summer, and a subpar bloom period in fall.

Will potted mums come back?

Mums in pots are an autumn staple that adds curb appeal or enhances a Thanksgiving table with their late-season hues. As long as you take care of your potted mums, whether you keep them in the pot or plant them in the garden, they’ll return each year.

Do mums come back every year?

A lot of people think that mums are annuals when they purchase them in the fall. After the blossoms have faded, these people throw away the mums. You may, however, keep your hardy mums blooming year after year if you purchase them. Planting can begin in late October.

Do mums like sun or shade?

Why Do Moms Require So Much Sunlight? Plants such as chrysanthemums thrive in full sun. They need only six hours of sunlight each day, but the more light they get, the better their growth and blooms. To avoid sunburn on hot summer days, place a shady umbrella or parasol nearby.

How do you winterize mums in pots?

The ideal temperature range is 32 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be found in an unheated garage shed or basement. Wrap the pots in several layers of newspaper if temperatures are expected to fall below freezing. Make sure the soil around your mums is wet but not soggy.

How long can mums live indoors?

If you follow a few simple guidelines, you can keep a mum plant alive for three to four weeks in your home. When compared to other types of floral arrangements, they offer excellent value for money.

Can a mum live indoors?

Grow chrysanthemums indoors: Indoor mum care Aside from watering, appropriate soil, and drainage, chrysanthemums may be grown indoors with little effort. After the flowers have faded, the plant’s finely carved foliage is worth keeping.

How often should I water mums in the fall?

Mums need to be watered at the same rate as your lawn in the early part of the season: one inch per week. As the plants grow and the weather warms, you should increase the amount of water you give them. Watering three times a week isn’t excessive by the time of blossoming in September and October.

How long do mums last?

It’s fine to buy discounted mums with fully opened flowers, but keep in mind that they won’t live as long outside. For four to six weeks, depending on the weather and the type of mum you have, you can expect a good display of color. Flowers will fade faster if the temperature stays high for an extended amount of time.

Will mums bloom in cold weather?

Florist mums are unable to withstand the cold. In contrast, garden or robust mums can withstand the cold better. An early spring frost can destroy some varieties because they are less hardy. Cut off wilting flowers from potted mums to encourage reblooming.

How to Overwinter Hardy Garden Chrysanthemums | Gardener's Path

What do I do with my mums after they fall?

When the mum’s blooms have faded, around the end of winter or early spring, trim the stems down to 6-8 inches above ground level. It is possible to leave the stems in place until the spring growth begins if you think the dead stems of winter important to wildlife or of personal interest.

What do Overwatered mums look like?

Overwatering can cause yellow leaves to turn black and fall off, as well as wilting plants. A well-watered mom will produce the most beautiful flowers.

Can you plant potted mums in the ground?

Planting them in your garden is technically possible at any time before the first fall frost. This means that you can remove your potted mums and put them in the ground in the fall. Following their transplanting, make sure to carefully water them and replant them at the same depth as they were in the container.

Is Miracle Grow good for mums?

You can get the most out of your garden mums if you put them in a bright spot and feed them with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food every 7-14 days or so. You can also use Miracle-Gro® LiquaFeed® to feed and water your moms at the same time.

Best Time of Year to Plant Mums

Ground planting or potting your mums might dramatically affect the ideal time of year to plant your mums. Mums bloom all the way into the fall, so planting them in the middle or late summer is a good idea for anyone new to the genre or who prefers to grow them as annuals rather than perennials.

When it comes to planting mums, spring is often thought of as the greatest season since it allows them to thrive and create robust root systems that will survive them through the winter.

If you plan to keep your potted mums indoors for a long period of time, planting them in the spring might be just as advantageous as doing it in the fall. Your potted mums’ resistance to frost and cold weather will improve as they spend more time indoors.

To Prune or Not to Prune

A common practice for most plants is pruning, which entails cutting down and eliminating certain sections of the plant in order to encourage its development.. If you’re trimming mums in late fall or early winter, don’t cut down to the ground, since this could harm the plant’s ability to retain heat in the cold.

Trim the stem only a few inches from the ground so that the plant has a good amount of stem to sprout from in the future.

Final Thoughts

Frost does not have to be a death sentence for you mums. Because they are perennials, hardy mums are more than capable of surviving and re-emerging in the springtime. Even though your mums are dormant, they will still need some winter care to keep them healthy and ready for the spring when they awaken from their slumber.