When They Bloom, Should Chrysanthemums Be Trimmed?

The optimal time to prune chrysanthemums in your garden is in spring to remove dead foliage before new growth has emerged. Trim the plant to within a couple inches of the soil surface and remove any dead material that feels brittle. Once the flowers and foliage have died back, the stems of a chrysanthemum will become quite brittle. If you’re planting a potted mum, place it in a larger pot for longer survival. After the plant has finished blooming in the fall, and the foliage has gone completely dormant, cut the dead stems back to just above the ground. Northern gardeners can leave the plant in a larger pot.

Pinch mums during summer and discontinue pruning in early fall to allow blooms. Prune carefully using proper methods to create bushier, compact, and more floriferous plants. Chrysanthemums are short-day plants, so the arrival of shorter days will trigger the blooming process. After the plant finishes blooming, enjoy the remaining fall display by pinching off 1 inch from each shoot every three weeks until the start of summer. Cut back on spent flowers during the fall to make them more attractive.

Most growers suggest pinching mums 2-3 times each growing season. After they finish flowering, cut back far enough to remove all faded flowers (about one-quarter their height). When the plant is finished blooming, remove the spent flowers and transplant it into a larger pot. Choose a pot that’s at least a half-inch deep.