When to plant mums
Plant mums from the last spring frost to 3 weeks after it in spring, or 6–8 weeks before the first fall frost for a fall crop. That works out to zone 5b (early May to late May), zone 7a (mid April to early May) and zone 9a (early March to late March).
Mums planting dates by zone
| Zone | Spring | Fall | mums ready from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a | May 15 – Jun 5 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 | Aug 24 |
| 4b | May 13 – Jun 3 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 | Aug 22 |
| 5a | May 11 – Jun 1 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 | Aug 20 |
| 5b | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 | Aug 14 |
| 6a | Apr 30 – May 21 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 | Aug 8 |
| 6b | Apr 24 – May 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 | Aug 2 |
| 7a | Apr 15 – May 6 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 | Jul 25 |
| 7b | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 | Jul 15 |
| 8a | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | Jul 5 |
| 8b | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 20 – Oct 4 | Jun 25 |
| 9a | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Oct 1 – Oct 15 | Jun 11 |
| 9b | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Oct 15 – Oct 29 | May 16 |
How to plant mums
| Plant as | transplants |
|---|---|
| Depth | Same depth as the pot |
| Spacing | 18–24 in |
| Light | Full sun |
| Time to bloom | 90–120 days |
| Hardiness | Perennial in zones 5–9 |
Spring-planted mums have a full season to root and survive winter far better than fall-bought ones.
Fall-bought mums should go in the ground at least 6 weeks before the first frost.
Leave dead stems on over winter for extra protection.
Florist mums sold in gift pots are bred for indoor display and rarely survive winter outside; buy hardy garden mums for beds.
Water mums deeply: their shallow roots dry out fast in fall sun and wind.
Divide clumps every 2–3 years in spring to keep plants vigorous.
When to expect flowers from mums
Garden mums bloom in late summer and fall. Pinch tips until early July for compact, bushy plants.
Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.
More flowers to plant
Begonias · Coleus · Marigolds · Zinnias · Sunflowers · Cosmos · Lantana · Hydrangeas