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Velvet Digest

Are mums perennial or annual?

Author

Emily Wilson

Updated on May 12, 2026

Mums are considered tender perennials. Whether they come back the next year depends on when and where they are planted: Spring or summer – If planted in spring or summer, mums will have ample time to establish a good root system.

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Also know, what type of mums are perennials?

Garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennial mums. Cut-flower chrysanthemums, like spider mums or football mums, are perennials in Zones 5 to 9, and these types are becoming easier to find for sale online.

Also, can you plant mums in the fall? The early to mid-spring is the best time to plant mums. Mums may die off and only last for a single year if added later in the year such as during the fall or the onset of winter. With proper care, they will become a perennial fixture in your flower garden.

Secondly, how do you winterize mums?

The next step in winter care for mums is to properly insulate them in the fall. The leaves of the plant will die back and become brown after a few hard frosts have hit your area. After the foliage of the plant has died back, you will need to cut it back. Cut back the stems of the mums to 3 to 4 inches above the ground.

How long do potted mums last?

Garden mums may be grown in containers, or planted in beds with existing shrubs and flowers. Flowers generally last about two or three weeks, depending on the outdoor temperatures and how far along the blooming process was when the plants were purchased.

Related Question Answers

Should you deadhead mums?

Deadhead mums in late spring to mid summer. The best time to deadhead or prune mums you are growing outside is during the late spring up to mid summer. If you are growing your mums in a greenhouse or indoors, you can deadhead them as soon as you see dead growths since the mums won't be exposed to cold weather.

Which mums come back every year?

Whether they come back the next year depends on when and where they are planted: Spring or summer – If planted in spring or summer, mums will have ample time to establish a good root system. If the soil is not too wet during the winter, they will overwinter just as other perennials.

Will deer eat mums?

Mums are somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits, which tend to avoid plants that have fragrant leaves or a fuzzy texture -- both of present on many varieties of mums. No plant is entirely deer-resistant, however, according to Rutgers University Cooperative Extension.

Can mums survive the winter in pots?

You can leave your garden mums in the ground during winter, especially with a layer of mulch in the cooler zones. However, because potted plants are more susceptible to cold damage, bring your mums indoors for winter safekeeping. Keep mums outdoors until the foliage and flowers die back after the first frost.

When should I trim my mums?

As a general rule, the time to prune -- or "pinch" -- your mums is from spring into the early summer. Start doing it in spring, when the shoots are about 4 to 6 inches long. Keep pinching every two to three weeks through the spring and all the way through July.

Are mums toxic to dogs?

Toxicity. According to the ASPCA, chrysanthemums are among many toxic plants that can harm your dog. Clinical signs that might indicate your pup has ingested flowers, leaves or stems of mums include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drooling, lack of coordination and dermatitis.

Can you plant mums in the ground?

Plant Them Anyway Technically, however, they can be planted in your garden any time before the first frost of fall. This means you can try removing the mums from your pot and planting them in the ground in the fall. Although your potted mums may look dead, they might just be dormant.

Do mums grow back every year?

They will grow back and your plant won't look dead in the middle." Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. These people toss the mums in the trash once the blooms have faded. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.

Can I transplant mums in the fall?

They are perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9, although they also grow well as annuals. Transplant any potted mums in spring after frost danger has passed or in fall six weeks before the first expected freeze. Turn the soil again immediately before planting.

Do you cut back mums in the fall?

You may opt to wait and cut mums back in late winter or early spring when new green growth emerges or cut the plants back in late fall or early winter shortly after they finish blooming.

Can I plant my mums in the ground?

Garden mums are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10a. Prepare a location with full sun and well-drained soil by digging in a 2-inch layer of compost to a depth of about a foot. Garden mums will survive in partial shade, but they won't bloom as well and tend to sprawl.

How do I save my potted mums for next year?

How to Overwinter Mums in Pots
  1. Remove the mums from the pot they came in once flowering completes. Divide the roots of the separate plants.
  2. Cut back the old flower stems on each mum plant. Trim the stems after the foliage begins to die back naturally.
  3. Water the mums when the top of the soil begins to feel dry.

Can you plant mums in October?

Early season varieties can be expected to come into flower in early to mid-September, mid-season varieties from middle to late September, late season varieties from late September to early October and season extenders from early to mid-October. Most mums are purchased in late August through September.

How do you take care of mums in the fall?

Cut back the foliage after it dies naturally in fall. Leave the potted mums outdoors in winter if the temperature rarely drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, or overwinter the potted plants indoors by a window that receives indirect sunlight. Water the mums' soil only enough so it doesn't dry entirely.

How long will mums last?

four to six weeks

Is it too late to plant mums in the ground?

In cold regions, this is too late to plant mums and expect them to survive winter. Early planting—even as early as late August—helps plants develop a strong root system. Plant garden mums too late, and winter freeze-thaw cycles can shove plants out of soil, a condition known as frost heave.

Are mums toxic to cats?

The chrysanthemum species, including popular daisy mums (commonly just called daisies), are toxic to animals like cats because they contain chemicals known as sesquiterpene lactones, which are terpenoids that serve diverse functions within the plant.

Do mums like sun or shade?

As much as you can give them. Mums will thrive in full sun conditions, given adequate moisture. About three hours of direct sunlight is about the minimum that will produce bushy plants and plenty of flowers.

Do mums reseed themselves?

You will have some buds on them by then, but don't worry. They will grow back and your plant won't look dead in the middle." Many people buy mums in the fall thinking the plants are annuals. But if you buy hardy mums, you can get them to bloom year after year.