Wondering how to know which mums at the store are the best to pick for long lasting blooms this fall?
When autumn rolls around, nothing signals the season quite like pots of bright, cheerful mums. Whether you place them on your front porch, along sidewalks, or in garden beds, mums instantly bring fall to life with their bursts of color.
But mums can be a problem for sure. Why? Because many people head out early, grab a cart full of beautiful blooming mums, and within just a few short weeks, those blooms are already fading. By the time the true fall season is in full swing, the plants already look tired and spent. And anything but cheerful!
Sometimes, homeowners even end up buying a second round of mums just to keep their displays looking fresh until Halloween. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way.
The truth is, armed with just a few simple tips when buying mums, you can stretch out their blooms much longer and get more for your money. Better yet, you can even choose varieties that come back again the next year so you aren’t starting from scratch each fall!
How To Pick The Best Mums At A Store
Unlike most annual flowers that need regular deadheading and weekly feeding to keep blooming, mums come loaded with buds that will all flower on their own. That means even if you don’t have a green thumb, mums can still look amazing in your landscape. Simply set them out and give them regular water, and they reward you with weeks of color.
But here’s the catch: not all mums are sold at the same stage of growth. And even more, not all mums are even the same kind of plant. If you pick the wrong ones, their beauty will be short-lived. Which is exactly why it’s so important to know what to look for before loading them into your car.
Tip #1 – Wait For Cooler Weather
Mums usually appear in stores by the end of August. The display tables are full, the colors are eye-catching, and the temptation is strong. But buying too soon is the number one reason mums don’t last through the season.
Mums are at their best in cool temperatures, ideally when the days are in the 60s or 70s. If you set them outside during the hot and sunny end of summer, they stress quickly. Plants already covered in blooms will fade even faster, cutting weeks off their life.
Even though mums can technically handle full sun, the late summer heat is not the same as the gentler sunshine of October. The August and early September sun is harsh and drains the plant. This is especially true when mums are placed on driveways or porches where heat reflects back up from concrete and pavement.
To get the most from your mums, hold off buying until the weather cools down. Waiting until mid to late September gives your plants the perfect environment to bloom slowly and last well into October – sometimes even up to Thanksgiving if frost holds off.
Tip #2 – Pick Mums With The Best Buds, Not Full Blooms
The second tip is just as important: don’t fall for the showiest plant in the store.
It’s easy to be drawn to the mum covered in bright, open blooms. They look perfect for instant porch decoration. But those full flowers are already halfway through their bloom cycle. No matter how much care you give them, they only have a couple of weeks left before fading away.
Instead, look for mums filled with tight buds. Ideally, the plant should be packed with green buds that are just starting to show a hint of color. A few open flowers are fine, but the majority should still be closed.
Why does this matter? Because mums open their blooms gradually. If you start with buds, you’ll enjoy watching the plant come to life at your home, not in the store. Those flowers can last four to six weeks, sometimes longer, giving you maximum color throughout the fall season.
The plant’s foliage is another clue. Mums with strong, green leaves and firm stems are healthier and will carry the blooms longer. Avoid plants with yellowing or drooping leaves, as that usually signals stress or poor care.
Tip #3 – Buy The Right Type Of Mum
The last key to long-lasting fall mums is making sure you’re buying the right kind. Stores often sell two different types: floral mums and garden (hardy) mums.
Floral mums are annuals. They are grown for a single season of color and will not survive the winter. Once the blooms are done, the plant is finished. These are usually the cheapest option, but they’re a one-time purchase.
Garden mums, sometimes called hardy mums, are perennials. These can survive the winter and return year after year. You can plant them in your garden beds or overwinter them in large containers. By doing this, you’ll not only save money the following year, but you’ll also get bigger, stronger plants with fuller foliage and larger blooms.
When shopping, always check the plant tag. If it doesn’t specifically say “hardy” or “garden” mum, chances are it’s just a floral mum.
Caring For Mums After Purchase
Once you’ve picked the best mums, how you care for them plays a huge role in how long they stay vibrant.
Choose a spot that gets partial sun or light shade. While mums can handle sun, giving them protection from harsh light and strong winds will keep the blooms fresh longer. Covered porches, patios, and spots under trees all work well.
Water is another big factor. Mums in containers dry out quickly, especially when they’re full of blooms. Always water at the base of the plant rather than spraying from above. Watering overhead can damage petals and shorten bloom life.
For even better results, try bottom watering. Set your pot inside a shallow tray of water and let the soil soak up moisture from below. This keeps the foliage dry while ensuring the roots get plenty of water.
Although mums will bloom without much effort, you can extend their life even more by removing faded flowers. Snip off dying blooms as they appear, and the plant will push its energy into opening more buds.
Getting Mums To Come Back Next Year
If you bought hardy mums, you can save them for another year. In late fall, after the blooms fade, cut the stems back to just a few inches above the soil. Mulch around the base to help insulate the roots from the cold.
In spring, remove the mulch, and you’ll see new shoots appear. As the plant grows, pinch back the tips in early summer to encourage fuller, bushier growth. By the time fall arrives again, you’ll have a lush, blooming mum ready to shine.
It’s also important to know that many mums can also be saved by saving their seed and growing next year. See our article: How To Save Mum Seeds – Grow Your Mums For Free Next Year From Seed!
Here is to knowing what to look for in stores – and to know how to pick the best mums for your fall decorating!
Simple Garden Life
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