Fall Mums & How to Care for Them

A guide to bringing vibrant fall color and bright spring blooms

Fall isn’t just for harvesting, it’s also the perfect time to add life and color to your garden with mums! Short for chrysanthemums, mums are a classic fall favorite with bright blooms. They’re available in early September at select Murdoch’s locations outside of Texas, but check with your local store to confirm.

Why Choose Mums for Fall?

Mums are low maintenance, drought-resistant, generally free from insect and disease problems, and a reliable way to bring color to your outdoor space in fall. If you’re intent on planting mums to bloom in the fall, plant early, ideally by early September, so they have time to get established.

What Makes Mums Unique?

These flowers feature dense clusters of petals ranging from pom-poms to daisies and boast vibrant fall hues. Their sturdy stems and bushy leaves make them perfect for containers or garden beds.

How to Care for Your Mums

While hardy varieties of mums handle cool fall weather well, they need sunshine. Provide full sun – aim for six or more hours daily – and keep the soil well-drained and consistently moist. Avoid soggy roots. Apply fertilizer once new growth appears.

As a heads up, container mums need more frequent watering. Newly transplanted mums should never be allowed to wilt.

After blooming has ended, cut stems down 4- to 6-inches and apply a couple inches of mulch to prevent frost damage.

Tips for Planting Bulbs

Plant mum bulbs in early fall for strong root growth, preferably 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Position bulbs with the pointed end facing up, about three times as deep as their height. Looking ahead for color that lasts all spring, be sure to mix early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties to stagger the bloom times. Space your chrysanthemums about 18- to 24-inches apart.

Add mulch after planting to protect both bulbs from temperature swings and help soil retain moisture. Water well after planting, then let nature do its work.

Care Checklist: Tools & Tips for Happy Mums & Bulbs

Pruning Shears or Scissors: Deadhead spent mum flowers regularly to encourage new blooms and keep plants looking tidy.

Watering Can or Hose: Keep soil evenly moist, especially for container mums that dry out faster.

Trowel or Small Shovel: Essential for planting bulbs at the right depth and transplanting mums if needed.

Mulch: Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer around mums and bulbs to protect roots from temperature swings, retain soil moisture, and suppress weeds.

With these simple tips and the right tools from Murdoch’s, your fall garden will shine with mums in the fall and burst into life with beautiful blooms next spring.