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Flower of the month · November

Chrysanthemum

The flower of fall. Mums open as the days get shorter, come in almost every color except blue, and last for weeks in a vase.

Warda PatelDreamDrop Gardens, Plano TX7 min readUpdated November 2026

About mums

Chrysanthemums, or mums, are fall flowers in the daisy family. They bloom when the nights get long, which is why they take over garden centers and front porches every autumn.

You'll find two kinds for sale. Garden (hardy) mums are perennials that can come back every year if they're planted early enough. Florist mums are grown for pots and bouquets and usually won't survive winter outside.

After roses, mums are one of the most popular cut flowers in the world.

Quick facts

Lives for
Many years (garden mums)
Sun
Full sun, 6+ hours
Water
Keep evenly moist
Height
1 to 3 feet
Plant apart
18 to 24 inches
Blooms
Late summer to frost
Cold hardy
Zones 5–9 (garden mums)
Pets
Toxic to cats and dogs

Flower shapes you'll see

  • Pompon

    Pompon

    Small, tight, round balls of petals. Tough, long-lasting and great for drying.

  • Spider

    Spider

    Long, thin petals that curl and dangle. A showstopper in bouquets.

  • Daisy (single)

    Daisy (single)

    A ring of petals around a button center. The easiest kind to press.

How to care for them

When they bloom

Mums bloom when the nights get long, from late summer until frost. Most are at their best in September and October.

  1. January: not in season
  2. February: not in season
  3. March: not in season
  4. April: not in season
  5. May: not in season
  6. June: not in season
  7. July: not in season
  8. August: in flower
  9. September: best month
  10. October: best month
  11. November: in flower
  12. December: not in season
Sun
At least 6 hours of sun. In very hot zones a little afternoon shade helps the flowers last.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist and water at the base. Potted mums dry out fast, so check them daily.
Soil
Rich soil that drains well. Mix in compost before planting. Soggy soil in winter kills more mums than cold does.
Pinching
For a bushy plant covered in buds, pinch off the tips every 2–3 weeks in spring and early summer. Stop by mid-July, or you'll pinch off the fall flowers.
Feeding
Feed lightly in spring and summer. Stop once you see buds.
Cold and frost
Garden mums are hardy in zones 5–9. Plant them in spring or by early fall so the roots settle before the ground freezes. After a few hard frosts, leave the dead stems standing and add mulch over the base.
Deadheading
Snip off faded flowers to keep the plant tidy and help the rest of the buds open.

Are they good in a vase?

Yes. Mums are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers there is, which is why florists use them all year.

How long they last
2 to 3 weeks in a vase.
When to cut
When the flowers are almost fully open. Mums don't open much more once they're cut.
Keep them fresh
Strip the leaves that would sit under water, trim the stems, and change the water every few days.
Pairs well with
Dahlias, roses, marigolds, eucalyptus, dried grasses and ornamental kale.
Chrysanthemums in a bouquet
Chrysanthemums in a bouquet

Can you dry or press them?

Mums dry well, especially the small pompon kinds. Big blooms need a little help.

Hang to dryGood
Hang small bunches upside down somewhere dark and dry for 2–3 weeks. Pompon and button mums hold up best.
PressingSometimes
Daisy-type and small single mums press nicely. Big, round blooms are too thick, so press the loose petals instead.
Silica gelGood
The best way to keep large blooms looking full. Ready in about a week.
Pressed mums
Pressed mums
Dried mums
Dried mumsPhoto: Moss & Embers

Colors they come in

Almost every color except true blue, including a few surprising greens.

  • WhiteClassic for bouquets
  • YellowThe most traditional color
  • Bronze and orangeThe fall-porch favorite
  • Red and burgundyDeep, rich fall tones
  • Pink and lavenderSofter and romantic
  • Greene.g. 'Kermit' button mums

Meaning & history

Mums were treasured in China and Japan for centuries before they reached Europe and America.

What it means

In the US
Joy, friendship and good cheer. A classic fall and Mother's Day gift.
In China and Japan
Long life and happiness. In Japan the chrysanthemum is the emperor's emblem.
In parts of Europe
In countries like France, Italy and Belgium, mums are placed on graves on All Saints' Day (November 1), so there they mean remembrance. Skip them as a cheerful gift there.

  1. China, around 1500 BC

    Mums were first grown in China as an herb. People used the boiled roots for headaches.

  2. Japan, 700s AD

    Mums arrived in Japan and became so loved that the flower became the emperor's crest and seal. Japan still celebrates a Festival of Happiness for it.

  3. Europe, 1700s

    Dutch traders brought mums to Europe. French growers made the small round 'pompon' kinds, named after the wool pompoms on soldiers' hats.

  4. America, 1798

    A New Jersey nurseryman brought the first mum to America. Today the US has a national society just for chrysanthemums.

A Japanese chrysanthemum display
A Japanese chrysanthemum displayPhoto: Thursd
An heirloom mum variety: 'Kokka Hougiku'
An heirloom mum variety: 'Kokka Hougiku'Photo: 3 Porch Farm

The best way to plant them

Most mums are grown from cuttings, not seed. Here are your three options.

  1. Our pick

    From young plants (cuttings)

    Easy · Flowers this fall · Mid-price

    Young plants grown from cuttings give you the exact color and shape you picked. Planted in spring, they have all season to settle in, so they're the most likely to come back next year.

    1. Plant after your last frost, 18–24 inches apart, in full sun.
    2. Pinch the tips every 2–3 weeks until mid-July.
    3. Feed lightly until buds appear, then let them bloom.

  2. From a grown plant

    Easiest · Flowers right away · Highest price

    The classic fall mum. Instant color for porches and pots. Planted in the ground by early fall, garden mums may come back. Kept in the pot, treat them as a one-season plant.

    1. Pick plants with lots of tight buds, not open flowers. They'll bloom longer.
    2. Plant as soon as you can and loosen any roots circling the pot.
    3. Water every day or two for the first few weeks.

  3. From seed

    Tricky · Flowers in 4–5 months · Cheapest

    Possible, but slow, and plants grown from seed rarely look like the parent. Mostly for curious gardeners.

    1. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost.
    2. Press the seeds onto the soil surface. They need light to sprout.
    3. Keep warm and damp, then move outside after frost.

Questions about mums

Do mums come back every year?

Garden (hardy) mums can, in zones 5–9, if they're planted in spring or early fall. Florist mums usually don't survive winter outside.

Why did my mum die over winter?

Usually it was planted too late to grow roots, left in its pot, or sat in wet soil. Plant early, in soil that drains well, and leave the old stems on until spring.

Are mums safe for pets?

No. Mums are toxic to cats and dogs and can cause vomiting, drooling and diarrhea. Keep them out of reach.

Why is the chrysanthemum November's flower?

Mums are at their peak in late fall, when little else is blooming. They stand for joy, friendship and long life.

Can I keep a potted mum indoors?

For a while. Give it a bright window and keep the soil moist. Indoors, expect 2–4 weeks of flowers.

Coming in DecemberPaperwhite & hollyRead December's flowers