Plant Care
Hardy Mums are fairly easy to maintain which makes this flowering plant suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners. Like any plant, they do best when you pay regular attention to their basic needs — sunlight, soil and water. With proper care, these perennials will return with colorful flowers that will brighten your garden well into the fall season.
To keep your Hardy Mums healthy and growing strong, plant them in well-draining soil and make sure they get plenty of sunlight. Watering them regularly, particularly during hot or dry periods, will help them set down strong roots. A few seasonal chores — pinching, pruning and mulching — will help them encouraging bushy growth and a lengthy blooming season. With a bit of extra effort, your mums will return to your garden stronger every year, becoming a reliable, colorful focal point in your autumn garden.
Light
Hardy Mums flourish best when they receive full sun or at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. They are also tolerant of some partial shade, but in order for the plant to thrive and produce vibrant blooms, they must receive full sun. Accessibility to sunlight also aids in preventing disease and rot by helping the foliage dry after rainfall.
Soil
Hardy Mums do best when planted in well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (approximately 6.0-7.0).
It’s important to add compost to the soil to help with drainage and fertility. Opposite to this, Hardy Mums do not grow in heavy, clay-like soil that retain too much moisture. Well draining soil is essential to prevent root rot and maintain a healthy plant.
Watering
If you are growing Hardy Mums — first and foremost, keep them watered, particularly during the summer when it is hot and dry. Water regularly so the soil stays evenly moist, but not wet. Water deeply, so that the soil absorbs moisture down to the root level. Refrain from overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases such as powdery mildew. In the fall blooming period, water frequently to keep the plant hydrated while preparing for blooming.
Pruning
Pruning is one of the key routines for getting the best out of your Hardy Mums, so they have a compact bushy form and you have lots of flowers!
To encourage a fuller, bushier plant and full blooming, pinch back the stems in early spring, before new growth emerges. Pinching encourages side shoots, making the plant fuller. When the plant is approximately 6-8 inches tall, pinch off the top few inches to encourage branching.
You can also deadhead, or remove spent blooms in late summer to encourage more blooming and to keep the plant looking tidy. If your Hardy Mum gets too leggy or tall, you can cut it back after it has finished blooming to maintain its shape.
Propagating
Hardy Mums are easily propagated by division or cuttings.
- For division, dig up the plant in spring or fall and divide the root ball into smaller pieces, each with some roots and some stems. Plant these divisions in soil prepared for them, and they will grow into new plants.
- If propagating from cuttings, snip a healthy, non-flowering 4-6 inch stem in late spring or early summer. Snip off the lower leaves, dip the cut end into rooting hormone, and place the cutting in moist potting mix. Put the cutting in a warm spot as bright as you can find, and it will root in a few weeks. When it establishes roots, transplant the new plant outdoors.
Growing in Pots
Hardy Mums do well in containers, which you can use on porches, balconies or even a small patio.
- For containers, use an appropriate potting mix that drains well, but retains moisture without becoming swampy. You can select a container with a diameter of at least 12-18 inches, so there is enough room for root development.
- Make sure to position the pot in a spot where it gets full sun to promote healthy growth and flowering.
- When grown in pots, Hardy Mums need to be watered more often in summer, as pots dry out more quickly.
- In the fall, if the temperatures drop, bring the pots indoors or protect the plant from frost by providing insulation.
Overwintering
Hardy Mums are cold resistant, and can withstand winter temperatures in USDA zones 5-9. But they need some protection in cooler weather. After the first frost in the fall, cut the plant back to a few inches above the ground. Add mulch or straw around the base of the plant to insulate roots and make it less likely to translate below freezing.
In regions where temperatures drop below zone 5, it’s wise to bring potted mums indoors, or pile on extra mulch around the base to shield the roots. If you’ve planted Hardy Mums in the ground, they should be able to return robustly the next spring after a period of winter dormancy.
Blooming
Hardy Mums flower during the fall season with blooms appearing in autumn months from September through November. These flowers bloom in all kinds of colors, such as deep reds, oranges, pinks, and purples. Hardy Mums are living their best life in cooler weather where the loosening of the temperatures makes their blooms more colorful longer.
For best blooms, plant in full sun and water well. The plant will require some special care when it gets to blooming time, just to keep the flowers full of life. Deadhead regularly to encourage continued blooming, and consider applying a balanced fertilizer to boost the plant’s energy for a spectacular fall display.
Common Issues
Hardy Mums are fairly pest- and disease-resistant but can experience a few issues.
- Common pests that can infest the plant include aphids and spider mites, particularly during the growing season. Reeve infestations with insecticidal soap, or spray the plants with a strong stream of water to knock pests off.
- The leaves can occasionally be subject to powdery mildew if they’re too crowded or air circulation is insufficient. To prevent this, space your mums well away from each other and in a location where they'll get plenty of sunlight. Don’t overhead-water; wet foliage is a recipe for mildew.
- Lastly, root rot can occur if the soil is too heavy or poorly drained, so be sure to plant your Hardy Mums in well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging.
Summary
Hardy Mums are the quintessential fall flower for your garden as the rest of the landscape goes dormant. With their low maintenance, colorful flowers and cold-hardy disposition these mums will reward you with stunning blooms year after year, transforming any garden or landscape into a vibrant fall showcase.
