What to Do With Potted Mums After Blooming: Expert Tips for Care and Renewal

What to Do With Potted Mums After Blooming?

After potted mums have finished blooming, there are several options for what to do with them.

One option is to deadhead the flowers to encourage a second blooming.

Another option is to plant them in the garden if you are located in USDA hardiness zones 5-9.

If you prefer to keep them indoors, you can overwinter them by either keeping them in their nursery pots or transferring them to a larger pot.

Additionally, you can compost the mums or replant them in the same pot.

If you don’t want to keep them, you can give them to a friend or neighbor, or use them for holiday decorations.

Another idea is to transfer them to a larger container and mix them with other plants for a year-round display.

Just make sure to snip off spent flowers and water them regularly to care for potted mums.

Key Points:

  • Deadhead potted mums to encourage second blooming
  • Plant them in the garden if in hardiness zones 5-9
  • Overwinter indoors in nursery pots or larger pots
  • Compost or replant in same pot
  • Give to friend/neighbor or use for holiday decorations
  • Transfer to larger container and mix with other plants for year-round display

Did You Know?

1. The word “mums” is actually short for chrysanthemums, which are native to Asia and were first cultivated in China over 2,500 years ago.

2. Don’t be too quick to throw away your potted mums after they finish blooming! With proper care and trimming, they can actually rebloom for several seasons, providing you with beautiful flowers year after year.

3. Potted mums are often used to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Mexico. The vibrant colors and cheerful appearance of these flowers are believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living during the festival.

4. Did you know that mums come in a wide variety of colors? While we commonly associate them with yellow, orange, and red hues, they can also be found in shades of purple, pink, white, and even green!

5. Mums are not only pleasant to look at but can also serve a purpose in your home. These plants are known for their air-purifying qualities and can help remove common household toxins, making for cleaner and fresher indoor air.

Deadheading For Second Flower Flush

Potted mums, also known as Chrysanthemums, are popular flowering plants that bring vibrant colors to the fall garden. After the initial bloom, deadheading the spent flowers can stimulate a second flower flush. Deadheading is the process of removing the faded or wilted flowers to encourage the plant to redirect its energy into producing more blooms. It is recommended to snip off the spent flowers with pruning shears or snap them off with your fingers when deadheading mums. This practice not only promotes additional blooming but also helps maintain the plant’s overall appearance.

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Planting Potted Mums In USDA Zones 5-9

For those residing in USDA hardiness zones 5-9, potted mums can be a wonderful addition to the garden borders. These mums can be transplanted directly into the soil to continue their growth cycle as perennials. Before transferring them to the border, ensure that the mums have finished blooming. Plant them during the spring or fall, before the arrival of the first frosts.

To prepare the garden soil:

  • Dig a hole
  • Add compost or organic manure
  • Water it

Then, remove the mum from its pot and gently tease out its roots. Place the mum in the hole and cover the roots with soil, pressing it gently to secure the plant. Snip off any dead or dying roots before planting mums in the border for the best chance of success.

Overwintering Potted Mums Indoors

In areas where winters are harsh, overwintering potted mums indoors is a popular method to protect these plants from frost and ensure their survival. To overwinter potted mums, they can be kept in their nursery pots or transferred to larger containers. Opt for containers that provide enough space for the plants to grow.

Before moving them indoors, it is advisable to observe the presence of any pests or diseases. Take necessary precautions to address any issues before bringing the plants inside.

Place the potted mums in a location that receives abundant sunlight and ensure adequate watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly before each watering.

While indoors, potted mums can continue to provide a cheerful display of flowers throughout the winter months.

  • Consider keeping potted mums in nursery pots or larger containers
  • Check for pests or diseases before bringing them indoors
  • Place them in a location with abundant sunlight
  • Water adequately, allowing the soil to dry out slightly before each watering
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Options For Disposing Of Potted Mums

After the blooming period, if you find yourself with potted mums that you no longer wish to keep, there are several environmentally friendly options for disposing of them.

One option is to compost them. Mums can be added to the compost bin as they form green waste, contributing to the nutrient-rich material that can be used to fertilize gardens. However, before composting, it is essential to remove the mums from their pots and inspect them for any signs of diseases like powdery mildew. If there are no issues, they can be safely added to the compost pile.

Another option is to give the potted mums to a friend or neighbor who will appreciate the low-maintenance perennials. Sharing plants not only creates a sense of community but also ensures that the mums find a new home where they can be enjoyed for years to come.

Moreover, potted mums can be used for holiday decorations. Their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms make them perfect for creating festive displays during special occasions.

Transferring Or Replanting Potted Mums

If you wish to continue growing potted mums, transferring them to a larger container or replanting them in the same pot is a viable option. This allows the plants to have more space to thrive and can create a stunning year-round display when mixed with other plants like winter pansies, daffodils, and evergreens. When transferring to a larger container or replanting in the same pot, pay attention to the plant’s watering needs and ensure the soil is well-draining to prevent root rot. Potted mums offer several possibilities after their blooming period. Whether you choose to deadhead them for a second flower flush, plant them in the garden borders, overwinter them indoors, compost them, give them to others, or use them for holiday decorations, these hardy plants can enhance your outdoor space and bring joy for years to come. Choose the option that suits your preferences and gardening goals, and enjoy the beauty and resilience of potted mums.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What to do with mum plants after they bloom?

After your mums have bloomed, it is essential to practice the technique of deadheading. By removing the old leaves and spent blooms, you enable your mums to conserve their energy and direct it towards producing new blossoms. Deadheading acts as a foolproof method to ensure that your mums remain in their prime condition after flowering, as it allows them to focus on producing vibrant and fresh blooms rather than trying to sustain the old ones. Embracing this practice will result in a rejuvenated mum plant that continues to dazzle with its renewed floral display.

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Incorporating deadheading into your routine gardening tasks will undoubtedly benefit your mums, as it diverts their energy towards the growth and development of new blooms. By removing the spent blooms and old leaves, you facilitate a continuous cycle of flowering, enhancing the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your mum plants. Your attentive care will be rewarded with a thriving mum plant that provides a constant stream of beauty and color to your garden or home.

How do I save my potted mums for next year?

In order to save your potted mums for the following year, consider transplanting them into a larger pot with fresh potting soil. This will provide the plants with adequate space to grow and develop strong roots. Additionally, place the potted mums in an area that receives indirect sunlight and maintain moderate watering to ensure their survival.

Should mums be cut down after blooming?

It is generally recommended to cut down mums after they finish blooming. Removing the faded flowers by cutting them back about one-quarter of their height helps promote new growth and prevents the plants from expending energy on producing seeds. In some cases, if the winter remains mild, the mums may surprise with a few more flowers. However, to ensure healthy growth and strong blooms in the following season, it is advisable to cut back garden mums to around three inches from the ground in late January or early February. This practice helps rejuvenate the plants and encourages robust growth in the coming year.

How long should potted mums last?

Potted mums have a shorter lifespan in the heat, with their flowers fading within a few weeks. However, if you wait until the temperature cools off, these plants can thrive and provide a vibrant display for up to 8 weeks. To maintain a colorful show throughout the season, it is recommended to replace potted mums more frequently in hotter conditions.

References: 1, 2, 3, 4

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