How Much Cold Tolerance Do Chrysanthemums Have?

Hardy garden mums can withstand temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit if their roots are established and protected. Most varieties of chrysanthemums can survive in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 degrees). Winter care for mums starts when planting them, with well-draining soil being crucial. Cold tolerance varies between cultivars due to their complex genetic makeup. Winter survival may also vary with location, culture, site, or winter severity.

USDA Hardiness Zones 5 and warmer perennial chrysanthemums can be kept outdoors through the winter, but in extremely cold areas, overwinter plants in a basement or dark location. Plant chrysanthemums a month before frost to ensure survival, as they won’t have time to get a good root system before they have to contend with the cold.

Mums are hardy and can tolerate cool, almost-freezing temperatures relatively well, but they are not immune to frost. The lowest minimum temperature that planted mums can generally survive is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. In the garden, they are more likely to survive a cold winter when they have had a few months to become established before frost and are mulched.

Ideally, garden mums thrive in daytime temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (15°C to 21°C) and can withstand nighttime temperatures as low as 45°F (7°C). Ground-grown plants can handle air temperatures below 20°F because the roots are insulated by the surrounding earth. However, roots are often not established enough to survive the freeze, so a cool, dim location is best. Most garden mums can handle temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with sufficient water and some shade.

What temperature do florists chrysanthemums like?

Chrysanthemums are large, fibrous stems with a single large blossom at the end. They consist of an outer circle of ray florets resembling petals, surrounding a round center of shorter disc florets. Each petal is a small floret, and there are over 13 recognized bloom forms. Chrysanthemums come in various colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, lavender, gold, and bronze. Storage temperatures range from 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long do potted chrysanthemums last?

Potted mums are best suited for cooler temperatures, as they can last up to eight weeks before frost. To ensure their longevity, it’s recommended to buy them when the temperature is cooler, as the flowers may fade soon. To care for potted mums, follow these simple tips:

1. Choose the best chrysanthemums for your fall containers. Ensure that the plants are not under or overwatered, as this can stress them and affect their performance.

2. Avoid placing the mums in warm conditions, as the flowers may fade soon. Waiting until it’s cooler will help maintain their beauty for up to eight weeks before frost.

What is the lowest temperature for chrysanthemums?

Garden mums can thrive in temperatures up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with adequate water and shade. They can continue to bloom even in low temperatures, and their roots can survive winter soil temperatures below zero degrees Fahrenheit. However, it’s best to choose varieties bred for your region’s specific conditions. A moderate humidity level is ideal for mums, as excessive humidity can encourage fungal diseases. Mums are heavy feeders, so use slow-release fertilizer in spring or water-soluble fertilizer monthly through July to prevent damage to tender new growth.

Can mums survive indoors?

Mums, also known as Chrysanthemums, are bushy perennials belonging to the aster family. There are 13 varieties, each with unique colors, shapes, and sizes. They can be grown as bedding plants in gardens or indoors with minimal care. There are two types of mums: florist mums, found in florist shops or pots for special occasions, and garden or hearty mums, perennials in zones 5 through 9. These are often showy but unsuitable for outdoor planting. Hearty mums, also known as fall plants, bloom from September to frost, and are considered the most representative flower of fall. Both types of mums can thrive indoors with minimal care.

Do chrysanthemums like cold?

Potted mums, cultivated in containers, are unable to withstand cold weather due to their lack of insulation from the surrounding earth. To prevent the plants from freezing, it is necessary to overwinter them indoors and repot them into slightly larger containers before relocating them. This procedure ensures that the plants are protected from freezing temperatures and can flourish in colder environments.

How cold is too cold for mums?

Potted mums can withstand light frosts but prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage their foliage and reduce their cold tolerance. Protective measures include placing them in a sheltered location near a building or under an overhang, and surrounding them with insulating material like straw or mulch to regulate soil temperature and protect roots. Mulching also helps retain moisture, preventing soil drying out during winter months.

At what temperature should I cover my mum?

To encourage new growth in mums, remove wilted blooms and use mulch to cover the base when temperatures reach 20°F. Maintaining a consistent temperature is crucial for their health, as soil temperature fluctuates from freezing to thawing, damaging roots. Mums bloom throughout the fall, with some species providing blooms from late spring through November. However, some mums may be fooled by cool weather and short days into blooming in spring, so it’s important to cut them back to ensure they bloom again in the fall. Keeping the soil well-drained and consistent in temperature is essential for maintaining the health of your mums.

Should I cover mums at night?

It is advisable to take measures to protect your mother from frost, which has been known to occur as early as September in some areas of Minnesota. It is recommended that the plants be covered with a light fabric or relocated indoors to prevent frost damage. It is recommended that the aforementioned guidelines be followed in order to extend the blooming period of mums, which typically lasts between four and eight weeks. Should any queries or concerns arise, the experts at Sargent’s are available to provide assistance. Best wishes for a fruitful planting season!

Can potted mums survive winter?

To keep your mum plants alive for next year, bring them indoors by cutting off the brown foliage and stems, wrapping the pot, and bringing them to an unheated garage or shed between 32 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plants are in the ground, move them to a pot before freezing or heavily mulch the surrounding area. Add potting soil and organic fertilizers to the pot for a good start in spring.

In warmer areas like New York, overwintering mums can be done outdoors by using heavy mulch, such as straw, leaves, or grass clippings. Remaining frozen during winter is less damaging to the plant than repeatedly freezing and thawing. Mums can even stay in the ground, provided they receive enough mulch. Cut off dead stems and bury them in mulch shortly after the first frost. By following these steps, you can continue using your mums year after year, ensuring they grow bigger and lusher each year.

Do mums not like heat?

Michigan growers produce the second largest crop of potted garden chrysanthemums, with wholesale sales of at least $15 million each year. Mums, especially early season varieties, are sensitive to high temperatures during flower initiation, known as “heat delay”. High temperatures can lead to poor branching, reduced growth, fewer flowers, flower color reversion, and flower color fading. Early-season mums flower fastest under short days and eventually flower under long days, while at higher temperatures (over 75 F), short days are required for flowering. Late-season cultivars also require short days for flowering, but high temperatures are usually not a problem.

About 15 years ago, Faust and Terri Starman at the University of Tennessee showed that some cultivars grown at a constant 75 F flowered earlier when the photoperiod was quite short (10 hours or less), compared to a photoperiod of 12 hours or longer. To mitigate high temperature flowering delay in mums, growers should ensure the photoperiod is 12 hours or less for early season varieties, and keep plants as cool as possible. For example, don’t pull blackcloth until very early in the morning and keep it pulled until the dark period is at least 12 hours long.

How long do hardy chrysanthemums last?

Chrysanthemums, particularly the exhibition types (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum) and garden types (Chrysanthemum × morifolium), have shorter lifespans due to their high energy expenditure in blooming. These plants were not bred to survive winter as perennials. However, garden types are liberal self-seeders, allowing them to sow seed on their own, resulting in numerous new plants emerging the following spring. This allows chrysanthemums to live a long time.