Different colors of chrysanthemums a mass planting.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are the classic autumn flower. Mums start blooming in late summer and last into deep fall. Rather than purchasing cut flowers at the store, why not grow yours at home? Browse through our guides to find out how best to care for these plants both inside and outside along with pruning tips, preventing and treating plant problems, as well as cultivar selection. Happy gardening!

How to Grow and Care for Chrysanthemums

A close up horizontal image of white and purple chrysanthemums growing in a garden border.

To extend this year’s flowering season, look no further than hardy garden mums. With a beautiful variety of flower colors, shapes, and plant sizes, this easy-care and cold-hardy autumn mainstay adds blooming brilliance as the other flowers finish for the year. Here’s how to grow chrysanthemums for late season color.

Identify and Control 13 Common Chrysanthemum Pests

A close up horizontal image of pink chrysanthemums growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

If your late-season gardens feature perennial chrysanthemums, it’s crucial to know how to identify and manage common pests that may feed on or make your plants their home. From beetles to sapsuckers, hungry pests can wreak havoc in a garden bed, chewing leaves and stunting growth. Learn about 13 types of mum pests now.

How to Fertilize Chrysanthemums for a Bountiful Display

A close up horizontal image of colorful chrysanthemums growing in the garden.

Chrysanthemums can benefit from a little fertilizer if you want to maximize their colorful late-season show. But it’s not as simple as tossing some food onto the soil and hoping for the best. Learn all about how to feed chrysanthemums, including when and how to apply fertilizer, and the best types to use. Read more now.

How to Identify and Manage Powdery Mildew on Chrysanthemums

A close up horizontal image of orange chrysanthemums growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

Powdery mildew is extremely common in home gardens, and despite being tough little plants, even chrysanthemums are sometimes plagued by this fungal pathogen. This guide helps you identify and get rid of powdery mildew on your mums using natural and highly effective methods like milk spray and copper fungicides.

Fusarium Wilt in Chrysanthemums: Identify and Control This Disease

A close up horizontal image of white chrysanthemums growing in the garden pictured on a soft focus background.

If part of your chrysanthemum plant looks sad and wilted, you could be dealing with fusarium wilt. This fungal disease is bad news and it can spell doom for your plant if you don’t address it. We’ll help you to identify and deal with this increasingly common issue in mums, and learn how to prevent infection. Read more.

How Long Do Chrysanthemums Last?

A close up horizontal image of orange chrysanthemums growing in the fall garden fading to soft focus in the background.

Chrysanthemums have a longer lifespan than many people realize. These fall-blooming favorites have much more to offer than a single season of color. This guide explains how long mums last and provides tips on how to keep them thriving for years to come, including how to save seeds from your favorites. Read more now.

How to Use Chrysanthemums for Pest Control in the Garden

A close up horizontal image of white Dalmatian chrysanthemum (Tanacetum cinerariifolium) flowers growing in the garden pictured in light sunshine on a soft focus background.

Chrysanthemums are used to make pyrethrins, which are the most popular insecticides on the planet, and for good reason. They have low toxicity for birds and mammals, but kill insects rapidly on contact. You can make your own insecticide using the mums that you grow in your own garden. This guide explains the process.

How to Winterize Hardy Garden Mums

A close up horizontal image of pink chrysanthemums growing in the garden with frost on the plants.

You’ve enjoyed their vibrant autumn color and now winter is creeping in. But what if you’re not ready to say goodbye to your mums? Rather than tossing them out, our helpful guide will show you how to overwinter your plants so you can enjoy them year after year, from fall prep to spring care. Read more now.