All about MUMS!
Nothing says fall like mums! These mum plants are a seasonal favorite for porches, gardens, and fall décor. Ever wonder how long it will take a mum to bloom out? Or whether it’s better to buy tightly budded mums or ones already showing color? Keep reading for a full guide on bloom timing, mum plant care, and tips on caring for mums in fall.
Bloom Timing for Flower Mums
When you get a mum early in the season, showing no color and the bud isn’t yet ‘cracking’, it could take a few weeks for it to show color, especially if the buds are still small. It does depend on temperatures and sun, so the timing can vary but this is a good rule of thumb. A few weeks beyond this, they will be fully open. If the buds are ‘cracking’ this means there is a maybe a thin film over the leaf petal and you can start to see some hints of flower color; these are a few days to a week or more ahead of the tightly budded mums. These will show more and more color each day, and should be fully open within a few weeks. If we have a warmer than normal fall, the blooms open up faster than during a cool fall season.
Tips on Watering Mums
There are all different kinds of mums, and the bloom season can be early, mid or late, depending on variety. We get all of our Monster Mums from Arkansas growers, and they are growing them outside all summer, on drip irrigation. We get questions about whether it’s too early to buy mums yet and the answer to this is, it’s never too early! However, the warmer the temperatures are, the more they will need water, so plan accordingly. Because every situation and gardener is a bit different, we don’t like to give set watering advice. However, while temperatures are still warm, we check daily, and usually need to water at least once a day. Ideally, mums are kept moist but not overly wet.
A moisture meter can really help with mum plant care, especially for container mums where soil is packed with roots. Consistent watering is the key to caring for mums in fall and keeping them healthy all season.
Sun Needs for Mum Plants
For best blooming, mum plants need at least six hours of sun per day. If they are kept in too much shade and the buds are still tight when you get them, you may end up without open flowers. Mums were once bred mainly for cold hardiness, but now the focus is more on bloom color. Often, we see mums used in fall décor arrangements alongside crotons, ornamental grasses, and pumpkins on porches, entryways, or in pots. However, you can also plant them in the ground and see if they return next year. After the first few frosts in fall, the leaf tips will begin to brown, and this is the best time to plant and focus on caring for mums in fall. Be sure to mulch well to protect the roots.
How to Create a Fall Display with Mum Plants
The sky is the limit on this! Pair mums for fall with pumpkins, gourds, crotons, and pansies to create a colorful seasonal display. Don’t forget the straw bales and cornstalks, and yes, we have these in the fall months! We have a whole Pinterest board on fall decor, it’s called Finally Fall. Here is a link for ideas, or come visit The Good Earth and we will help you create a plan!
Planting Mums in Ground After Blooms Fade
Did you know that your mums may survive the winter and come back next year? The best time to remove from your fall display and plant them in ground is right after the first frosts, when leaf tips begin to brown. At this stage, planting ensures the roots have time to settle before winter. Add mulch for protection.
A quick note; some older varieties of mums are winter hardy but more and more, mums are developed for bloom color and less for cold hardiness. That being said, you can always plant them after they fade this season, and cross your fingers… you never know!
