how to take care of mums

As the air turns crisp and summer flowers fade, garden mums burst onto the scene with their vibrant, cheerful blooms. These autumn classics are a staple for fall decorating, offering a final, brilliant splash of color before winter arrives. Whether you’ve just picked up a pot from the local nursery or are tending to mums in your garden, knowing how to take care of mums is the key to helping them thrive through the entire season.

The Ultimate Guide on How to Take Care of Mums

Caring for these fall beauties centers on a few simple but crucial steps. First, let’s talk about sunlight. Mums are sun worshippers and need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to produce the most abundant and vibrant flowers. If they’re in too much shade, their stems will become leggy and the flowering will be sparse. For watering, consistency is your best friend. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and always aim for the soil, not the leaves, to prevent disease.

Keeping Your Mums Looking Their Best

To encourage a bushy, compact plant loaded with flowers, a little pinching goes a long way. In the spring and early summer, you can pinch off the top inch of new growth every few weeks. This promotes branching and leads to a much fuller plant come fall. Once your mums are in full bloom, you don’t need to pinch anymore—just sit back and enjoy the show. Don’t forget to deadhead, which is the simple act of removing spent flowers. This neat trick encourages the plant to put its energy into producing more blooms instead of going to seed.

Helping Mums Survive the Winter

Many people treat garden mums as annuals, but with a little effort, you can help them return next year. After the blooms have faded in late fall, don’t cut the plant down. The dead foliage actually provides some insulation for the roots during the cold winter months. Instead, wait until spring arrives to cut the old stems back to the ground. A thick layer of mulch applied around the base of the plant after the ground has frozen will also help protect the roots from harsh temperature swings.

With these simple care tips, your mums will provide stunning, long-lasting color that celebrates the beauty of the autumn season. A little attention to their needs for sun, water, and a simple trim can make all the difference, ensuring your garden is filled with their cheerful presence year after year.