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Bright light with direct morning sun is ideal. Chrysanthemums need good light to open their buds fully and sustain long blooming. Avoid intense afternoon sun in summer, which causes heat stress. A south or east-facing window works well.Light
Keep soil evenly and consistently moist. Florist mums are typically root-bound in small pots with minimal soil, so they dry out fast - check daily and water every day or two during bloom. If the root ball dries out completely, revive it by standing the pot in a tray of water for 30 minutes. Do not let it sit in standing water long-term.Water
Average room humidity (40-50%) is fine. Avoid high humidity (60-80%. Group your plants together, set them on a pebble tray with water, or run a humidifier nearby) combined with poor air circulation, which invites powdery mildew. Do not mist the flowers directly, as this causes botrytis petal blight.Humidity
Cooler temperatures of 13-18°C (55-65°F) significantly extend bloom time. Warm rooms above 21°C will shorten the display noticeably. A cool hallway, conservatory, or unheated porch is ideal for maximum longevity.Temperature
moderateDifficulty
Chrysanthemum morifolium plant

Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum morifolium

Moderate

Chrysanthemum morifolium is the florist's workhorse — the densely petalled, vividly coloured bloom you find in shops every autumn in shades ranging from white and yellow through pink, burgundy, and deep purple. As a houseplant it tends to be treated as a long-lasting cut flower substitute, blooming gloriously for several weeks before being composted, but with the right conditions you can coax it to rebloom. Keep it cool, keep it bright, and keep it well-watered, and it will earn its spot on the windowsill.

Chrysanthemum morifolium plant
katorisi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chrysanthemum morifolium plant
katorisi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care Guide

How to grow Chrysanthemum

Light

Bright light with direct morning sun is ideal.

Water

Keep soil evenly and consistently moist.

Humidity

40-50%

Temperature

13-18°C

Soil

Well-drained sandy loam with neutral

Propagation

Stem cuttings: take 4-inch cuttings

Common Problems

Aphids, spider mites, leaf miners,

Did You Know

Fun Facts

Chrysanthemums have been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years — they appear in the earliest Chinese medical texts as a 'superior drug' associated with longevity and were so revered that for a period only the nobility were permitted to grow them.

Pet Safety

Toxic to pets

Toxic to cats, dogs, and horses according to the ASPCA. Ingestion causes vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis. Keep away from pets and children. The foliage contains sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins.

Sources

  1. Chrysanthemum (Pot Mum / Florist's Mum) | OurHouseplants (opens in new tab)Reference
  2. Chrysanthemum (Pot Mum / Florist's Mum) | OurHouseplants (opens in new tab)Reference
  3. Chrysanthemum x morifolium - Wikipedia (opens in new tab)Reference
  4. Chrysanthemum x morifolium — Wikipedia (opens in new tab)Reference
  5. Florist Chrysanthemum Care | Guide to Houseplants (opens in new tab)Reference
  6. Florist Chrysanthemum Care | Guide to Houseplants (opens in new tab)Reference
  7. Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) | Gardenia.net (opens in new tab)Reference
  8. Garden Mum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) | Gardenia.net (opens in new tab)Reference
  9. Chrysanthemum Care | Penn State Extension (opens in new tab)University Extension
  10. Chrysanthemum Care | Penn State Extension (opens in new tab)University Extension
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