Fall mums in full flower have an instant impact for any autumn event. Their many warm colors can complement almost any home color scheme. (Photo by MSU Extension/Gary Bachman)
by Bronwynne Bailey
Tips for Buying and Caring for Mums
Each year nurseries grow acres of mums for us to enjoy during the autumn season. We call these
plants mums, which is short for Chrysanthemum. Nothing says fall like buying mums to incorporate into your home landscape! They’re the perfect plant to transition from hot to cool weather. With
several gorgeous colors to choose from, mums are a must for fall weather.
Dr. Gary Bachman, MSU Extension horticulturist, has a few tips to keep in mind when buying and tending to your mums.
- When picking out mums to take home, select plants that still have several tight buds on them.
Over time, the buds will open, making the flowers last longer. - Since mums are a seasonal plant and will only last a few weeks, place your mum in its original
container straight into a pot. Make sure you place your mums where they will get plenty of
sunlight! - Always water from the bottom! Find a place where you can place your watering can’s spout
near the soil. If your soil is dry, it’s time to water your mums. Wet leaves make it easy for
fungal growth to set in, making plants look bad. There’s nothing you can do about the rain but
keeping water from the hose or watering can at the base of the plant can help you avoid
problems. Be sure to keep an eye on your mums to make sure they don’t wilt.
to select plants that still have tight buds and are just starting to show color. This choice
increases the period of showy display as the buds begin to open in the garden.
Plants in 4-inch pots can be easily used to refresh a combination container that is tired from the long
summer. For larger projects or as stand-alone specimens, choose plants grown in 10-inch, 12-inch or
larger sizes. When you’re planning your project, check with your local garden center for size
availability. For the best color, plant or place fall-flowering mums in locations that get the most sun,
and water the plants consistently. Watering is especially important for mums in containers; never let
them dry out. As soon as the plants begin to be water stressed, the showy colors diminish as the
plants slowly recover. If you do not use container planting, you can still use fall garden mums
because they perform well transplanted directly into the landscape. Some gardeners use them as
container plants until the flowers fade and then transplant them into beds so they can enjoy their color
next year.
Plant mums in raised beds to increase the chances of success next year. Many fall garden mums are
intended to be one-season plants and may not be winter hardy, even in Mississippi. Transplanting for
subsequent years is always a leap of landscape and garden faith. If you want to try to bring your
beautiful mums back next year, prune the stems back after they have died down, and mulch with a
layer of pine straw. In the spring, peek in the pine straw for signs of fresh, new growth.
Choose fall mums in full flower to have an instant impact for any autumn event. Fall mums also can
serve as party decorations. Mums in full bloom are fantastic for their color impact for autumn parties
and cookouts.
In my experience, buying mums with tight buds means every once in a while, you get a surprise.
Plants can get mixed up during production at the greenhouse, and those mums that you thought were
going to have yellow flowers suddenly open up red or white.
Lafayette County Master Gardener Association 2025 Fall Lecture
The Lafayette County Master Gardeners are hosting a Fall Lecture on Saturday, October 4 from
10 until 11:30 am. The presentation will be held at the Lafayette County-MSU Extension Office at 70 F.
D. Buddy East Parkway. The program is FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. If you have any
questions, contact the Lafayette County Master Gardeners at lcmga38@gmail.com. Doors open at
9:30 am for registration and refreshments.\
Name of presentation: Fall and Winter Gardening.
This program will highlight key gardening practices to keep landscapes thriving through the cooler
months and lay the groundwork for a vibrant and successful spring.
Presenter: Dr. Eddie Smith
Dr. Smith is the Mississippi State University Extension (MSU-ES) County Coordinator/Extension
Agent in Pearl River County. He has been employed with MSU-ES since July 1, 2008. He was the
2014 State Master Gardener Coordinator of the Year. He is also an International Society of
Arboriculture Certified Arborist. On January 1, 2023, he accepted the additional responsibility as the
Host for Southern Gardening. Eddie was a schoolteacher for seven years prior to working for MSU-
ES. He has a B.S. and master’s from William Carey University and a Ph.D. from The University of
Southern Mississippi. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Picayune, MS, Eddie has always loved
plants and animals. In his free time, he likes to work in his yard and garden, travel, fish, and spend
time with friends and family
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