Chrysanthemum
The potted mum from the grocery store, bought in bloom for a few weeks of colour. Indoors it is a temporary plant: enjoy the flowers, then plant it out or compost it. Toxic to pets.
Pot mums are grown under controlled light to bloom on demand and sold at peak flower. That is what you are buying: three to six weeks of colour on a windowsill. They are not really houseplants, and we would rather say so than pretend they will thrive in a living room.
If you have a garden, the hardy types can be planted out after flowering and will come back next autumn.
Light
Bright light, with some direct sun, to keep the flowers coming. A cool, bright windowsill is ideal.
Water
Evenly moist while in bloom. Check every couple of days; a mum in flower wilts within hours of drying out and the flowers brown. Do not let it sit in water.
Soil and potting
It comes in what it needs. If you keep it, repot into a standard mix after flowering and cut it back by half.
Feeding
None while flowering. A balanced feed monthly if you keep it growing afterwards.
Propagation
Stem cuttings in spring from a plant that survived. Most indoor mums are not kept long enough.
In a hot, dry home
A cool-weather plant. Indoors here in autumn it does fine on a bright sill for its few weeks. In summer heat the flowers fade fast. Planted out in a shaded garden bed it can return in autumn in the milder parts of the valley.
Problems and fixes
Wilting and browning flowers
Likely cause: Dried out, or too warm
Fix: Water and move to a cooler, bright spot.
Yellowing lower leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering or the plant reaching the end of its bloom
Fix: Water less; accept that it is a temporary plant.
Sticky leaves, small insects
Likely cause: Aphids
Fix: Rinse under the tap; insecticidal soap.
Chrysanthemum questions
Is chrysanthemum toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. It contains compounds that cause vomiting, drooling and skin irritation.
Can I keep a potted mum as a houseplant?
Only briefly. It is bred to bloom once for the shops. Enjoy the flowers, then plant it out if you have a garden, or compost it.
How do I make my mum flowers last longer?
Keep it cool, bright and evenly moist, and deadhead spent flowers. Warm rooms shorten the display.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Kalanchoe
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Every 10 days
- Pets
- Toxic
Geranium
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
African Violet
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Safe
