Chrysanthemums, or mums as they’re often called, are a fall favorite.
Their vibrant colors and full blooms are the stars of autumn gardens, brightening up porches and flower beds alike.
But while they may look hardy during these crisp, fall days, the real challenge is getting them through the winter.
I’ve been growing mums for years, and believe me, I’ve learned from my share of mistakes.
October is a crucial month for making sure your mums survive the cold months ahead.
With a little preparation and care, you can keep them healthy and ready to bloom again next year.
Here’s everything you need to do to ensure your mums make it through the winter in top shape.
Choose the Right Mums: Hardy vs. Florist Mums
Before you even think about winterizing your mums, it’s important to know which type you’re dealing with.
Not all mums are created equal when it comes to surviving the winter.
There are two main types of mums: hardy mums and florist mums.
Hardy mums are the ones you want if you’re looking for longevity.
They’re bred to withstand colder temperatures and can survive the winter with the right care.
Florist mums, on the other hand, are typically grown for short-term use and are often sold as indoor plants or seasonal decorations.
I learned this the hard way a few years ago when I bought some beautiful mums at the local nursery, only to find out later they were florist mums.
They didn’t stand a chance against the first frost.
So, if your goal is to keep your mums around for more than one season, make sure you’re buying hardy mums.
These are often labeled as garden mums, and they’re well-suited for outdoor planting.
Plant Mums Early Enough for Roots to Establish
Timing is everything when it comes to planting mums.
If you’ve just bought your mums in October, you may be cutting it too close to get them established before the first hard frost.
In general, it’s best to plant mums in early fall—late August or September is ideal—so they have enough time to establish strong roots.
This doesn’t mean October is too late to plant, but it does mean you’ll need to be a little more diligent with your care.
I’ve planted mums in October before, and while they survived, I had to give them some extra attention, especially when it came to protecting their roots.
If you’ve already got mums in the ground or in pots, your main focus in October should be to give their roots as much support as possible before winter sets in.
The deeper and stronger their roots are, the better chance they’ll have at surviving the cold.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch: Insulating the Roots for Winter
One of the best things you can do in October to help your mums survive the winter is to mulch around their base.
Mulching is like giving your mums a cozy blanket to protect their roots from the freezing cold.
A thick layer of mulch helps regulate soil temperature, keeps moisture in, and shields the plant’s roots from the freeze-thaw cycle that can do serious damage in winter.
I usually apply a 3-4 inch layer of mulch around my mums in late October.
I prefer organic mulch like straw, shredded leaves, or pine needles because they break down over time and add nutrients back into the soil.
One year, I used wood chips because that’s what I had on hand, and they worked fine, but I’ve found that lighter mulches provide better insulation for mums.
Make sure you spread the mulch evenly around the plant, extending it about 6-8 inches beyond the base.
Just be careful not to pile the mulch directly against the stems, as this can cause rot.
Water Deeply Before the Ground Freezes
Even though the temperatures are cooling down in October, mums still need water to help them get through the winter.
One mistake I made early on was thinking that I could cut back on watering once fall hit.
Big mistake!
Mums need to go into winter with plenty of moisture in their root system.
In October, I make sure to give my mums a deep watering about once a week, especially if the weather has been dry.
The key is to water deeply enough that the moisture reaches the roots but not so much that the soil becomes waterlogged.
I usually use a soaker hose to slowly water around the base of the plant.
The goal is to make sure the soil is thoroughly moist before the ground freezes, because once it does, your mums won’t be able to take up any more water until spring.
Cut Back the Stems, But Not Completely
One question I often get is whether or not to cut back mums in October.
The answer? Yes, but with a bit of caution.
Trimming back mums in October helps tidy them up and prevents the stems from breaking in the snow or ice during the winter months.
However, it’s important not to cut them back too much.
I usually trim my mums down to about 4-6 inches above the ground.
This leaves enough of the plant to help protect the crown through the winter and gives it a better chance of coming back strong in the spring.
A few years ago, I made the mistake of cutting my mums all the way to the ground in October, thinking I was doing them a favor.
Unfortunately, they didn’t survive the winter.
Leaving a few inches of stem above ground helps the plant retain some structure and increases its chances of survival.
Consider Moving Potted Mums Indoors
If you’re growing mums in pots, October is the time to think about whether you want to leave them outside or move them indoors.
Mums in pots are more vulnerable to freezing temperatures than those planted in the ground, simply because their roots are more exposed.
I’ve had mums in pots that survived mild winters outside, but I’ve also lost a few to harsh cold snaps.
To be safe, if you live in an area where winters get particularly cold, consider moving your potted mums to a more protected location.
This could be an unheated garage, a basement, or even a sheltered spot on a porch.
The idea is to give them some protection from freezing temperatures while still allowing them to go dormant for the winter.
Make sure they’re in a place that stays cool, but not freezing.
You don’t want them to start growing prematurely because of warm indoor temperatures.
If you do move them inside, cut back on watering and let the soil dry out a bit more than usual.
Avoid Fertilizing in October
It might seem like a good idea to give your mums one last feeding before winter, but resist the urge to fertilize in October.
At this point in the season, mums are winding down and preparing to go dormant, so they don’t need a boost of nutrients.
I used to fertilize my mums in the fall, thinking it would help them survive the winter better.
What I didn’t realize was that fertilizing late in the season encourages new growth, which is the last thing you want before winter.
New growth is tender and won’t have time to harden off before the frost, making it more vulnerable to cold damage.
The best time to fertilize mums is in the spring and early summer, when they’re actively growing.
In October, it’s best to let them rest and focus on getting ready for winter.
Provide Wind Protection for Exposed Mums
If your mums are planted in a spot that’s exposed to strong winds, consider giving them some wind protection in October.
Cold, drying winds can be tough on mums, especially during the winter months when the soil is frozen and they can’t take up water.
I’ve lost a few mums over the years to wind damage, especially those planted in more exposed areas of my garden.
To protect your mums from the wind, you can use a simple windbreak made from burlap or landscape fabric.
Just place it around the plants, leaving enough room for air circulation but blocking the worst of the wind.
Alternatively, if you have a sheltered spot in your garden, you might want to move your potted mums there for the winter.
Monitor the Weather and Be Ready for Frost
In many parts of the country, October brings the first frost of the season.
Frost can be damaging to mums, especially if they haven’t had time to harden off properly.
I’ve found that watching the weather closely in October is key to protecting my mums.
If there’s a frost warning, I cover my mums with a light cloth or frost blanket overnight.
This simple step can make all the difference in helping your mums survive the first frost.
Just be sure to remove the covers in the morning once the temperature starts to rise.
Stop Deadheading in October
Throughout the summer, deadheading mums (removing spent blooms) helps encourage more flowers.
But by October, it’s time to stop deadheading.
Mums need time to start slowing down and preparing for dormancy, and continuing to deadhead will stimulate new growth that won’t survive the winter.
I used to deadhead my mums well into October, thinking I was helping them stay healthy, but what I was really doing was stressing them out.
Let the blooms fade naturally and allow the plant to focus on conserving energy for the winter months.
Final Thoughts
October is a crucial month for preparing your mums to survive the winter.
By focusing on the right care—like mulching, watering, and providing protection from the elements—you can give your mums the best chance to come back strong next year.
Remember, hardy mums are the key to long-term survival, and timing is everything.
From planting at the right time to trimming back the stems just enough, every step plays a role in helping your mums endure the winter chill.
I’ve learned a lot from trial and error over the years, and hopefully, these tips will save you from making some of the same mistakes I did.
With the right care, your mums will reward you with vibrant blooms year after year.