how to care for mums in pots

Those vibrant, cheerful pots of mums are a sure sign of autumn. They bring a final, brilliant burst of color to our porches and patios just as summer flowers begin to fade. While they look stunning when you bring them home from the garden center, keeping them healthy and blooming can sometimes feel tricky. The good news is that with a few simple tips, you can enjoy their beauty for many weeks. Learning how to care for mums in pots is the key to helping these seasonal stars thrive.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Care for Mums in Pots

Your potted mums have a few basic needs: the right amount of sunlight, consistent water, and a little bit of food. Start by placing them in a spot where they will receive at least six hours of bright, direct sunlight each day. A south or west-facing location is often perfect. Without enough sun, the plant may become leggy and its flower production will slow down.

Watering Your Potted Mums Just Right

Watering is often where gardeners go wrong. Mums don’t like to dry out completely, but they also hate having soggy roots. The goal is to keep the soil consistently moist. A good rule is to stick your finger about an inch into the soil; if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Water the soil directly until you see it run out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Avoid watering the foliage and flowers, as this can promote disease.

Keeping Your Mums Looking Their Best

To encourage a bushier plant and more blooms, give your mums a “haircut” early in the season. You can pinch off the top inch of each stem until early July. Once they are in full bloom, your main job is deadheading. Simply snip off any flowers that have faded and started to turn brown. This neatens up the plant’s appearance and encourages it to put its energy into producing new buds instead of going to seed.

Preparing for the Season’s End

As the blooms finally finish and the plant begins to die back after a hard frost, you have a choice. Many people treat potted mums as annuals and simply compost them. However, if you’d like to try to overwinter them, you can cut the stems back to a few inches and move the pot to a cool, sheltered location like an unheated garage. Water it very sparingly throughout the winter, just enough to keep the soil from turning to dust.

With this gentle care, your potted mums will reward you with a spectacular, long-lasting display of fall color. Enjoy their vibrant hues and the cozy feeling they bring to your outdoor space.