A beloved flower for fall landscaping and outdoor decorations, chrysanthemums, or the shortened mums, as theyre more commonly known, are affordable and easy to grow. They bloom in a beautiful array of colors that complement the changes of late summer into autumn. Mums and pumpkins are the it couple of the outdoors once the air breathes its first hint of crispness.
Though theyre easy to grow or enjoy in containers, theyre not completely invincible. Its important to check the tag to determine whether your variety is hardy. If so, its a perennial that can be overwintered, assuming its planted in the proper location (well get into that more later). If its an annual variety thats only used for decorative purposes, called florist or cutting mums, you can still enjoy numerous weeks with plentiful blooms. Whether its planted or potted, weve rounded up the seven best ways to bring your dying mums back to life and help them hold on through the end of autumn.
Are the flowers on your plant starting to wilt? Or maybe their saturation looks faded and tired, and not nearly as vivid as the day you brought them home. Perhaps theyre growing leggy, with long, spindly stems but fewer flower buds. These are all tell-tale signs that your mum isnt receiving enough sunshine. First, its important to note that they grow best in hardiness zones five through nine. So, if youre located outside this region, you may experience a mountain of mum problems. The next important piece is that they require a minimum of six hours of strong sunlight each day. More is certainly ideal, but six is the minimum.
If your mums are in pots, this is an easy issue to fix. Simply move them to a bright, sunny location. We know this may be disappointing, especially if you wanted a burst of color on your covered porch. But, youd be better off using a different colorful flower like asters that perform well in shade.
If your mums are already in the ground, you can try transplanting them to a sunnier location and see how they fare. The best time to do this is late summer into early fall. Theyll need some extra TLC to recover from the shock of moving but should recover with the proper care.
Mums in pots are a classic fall decoration that brings gorgeous pops of color to porches patios and gardens. Their brightly colored blooms add festive flair to autumn displays. However, keeping potted mums looking their best through the season can be tricky.
You may notice your potted chrysanthemums starting to wilt, fade and turn brown. Don’t give up on them yet! With some attentive care and troubleshooting, you can often get struggling mums to rebound. Here is your complete guide on how to revive dying mums in pots.
Why Potted Mums Start to Decline
Understanding why potted mums decline will help you identify issues and turn them around. Some common reasons include:
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Insufficient Sunlight – Mums thrive in full sun. Too much shade starves them of the light they need to flower and grow properly.
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Under or Overwatering – Mums require consistently moist soil. Letting pots dry out too much or keeping soil soggy can damage roots.
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Cold Damage – Early frosts or plunges in temperature can make mums go dormant and cause dieback.
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Pest Problems – Insects like aphids, mites and thrips can infest and weaken plants.
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Nutrient Deficiencies – Lack of nutrients in potting mix causes poor flowering and growth.
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Diseases – Root, stem and foliage diseases can make mums decline.
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Reaching End of Season – Once they’ve finished blooming for the year, mums naturally fade.
Knowing the possible causes will help you pinpoint why your potted mums are struggling and take the right revival steps.
7 Tips to Revive Dying Potted Mums
If your potted mums are looking poorly, don’t discard them just yet! Here are 7 simple tips to breathe new life into fading plants:
1. Move to a Sunny Spot
Mums require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun daily to look and bloom their best. If they’re wilting and browning, extra sunlight may be just what they need. Move potted plants into the sunniest spot you have. South or west-facing areas are ideal. The increased light should perk them up.
2. Check Soil Moisture
Feel the potting mix to assess moisture levels. Wilting leaves often indicate overly dry soil. If the pot feels very lightweight when lifted and soil is parched, give mums a thorough watering. On the other hand, mushy roots mean they are too wet. Allow excess moisture to drain out the bottom before returning to the saucer.
3. Protect from Frost
Chilly fall nights can damage tender mums. Shield plants from frost by moving pots into an enclosed space overnight or cover with fabric when temps dip below freezing. Remove covers once temperatures climb above 32°F.
4. Apply Fertilizer
A nutrient boost from liquid flowering plant fertilizer can revive tired mums. Feed every 2-4 weeks according to package directions. But don’t overdo it, as excess salts can burn roots.
5. Check for Pests
Insects like spider mites, aphids and thrips can infest and weaken potted mums. Treat infestations early with horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps. Isolate affected plants to prevent spreading.
6. Prune Lightly
Removing spent blooms keeps mums looking tidy. But go easy on pruning stressed plants since excessive cutting removes energy-producing foliage. Only prune what’s necessary to encourage new growth.
7. Re-pot with Fresh Soil
Rejuvenate overwintered mums by re-potting in fresh soil. This provides nutrients for lush growth and abundant blooms. Use a pot just slightly larger than the old one to prevent staying too wet.
Overwintering Potted Mums
Extend your enjoyment of potted mums by overwintering them for repeated seasons of color. Here are a few overwintering tips:
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Store dormant plants in a cool, dark spot like a garage once they fade after frost. Check soil moisture occasionally over winter.
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Potted mums can withstand temps down to 30°F when dormant. Avoid letting roots freeze solid.
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Cut plants back in early spring, leaving just 2-4 inches of growth. Repot and move outside after the last frost.
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Water sparingly when overwintered mums first wake up. Too much moisture on sleepy plants can cause rotting.
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Feed with a balanced fertilizer once new growth emerges to nourish the next season’s flowering.
Knowing When It’s Time to Let Go
While most struggling mums can be revived with a little TLC, sometimes it’s best to accept they have reached the end of their lifespan for the year. If plants decline despite your best efforts, it may be time to compost them and start fresh next season.
Signs potted mums are too far gone include:
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Mushy, rotten roots that easily pull away from soil
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Leaves that are dried out and crispy without any flexible green left
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Weak, stunted new growth that keeps browning
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No revival after 2-3 weeks of focused care
The good news is mums are inexpensive plants to replace each year. And learning proper care techniques will help you be more successful next time. Focus on giving them what they need to thrive – ample sunshine, moderate water, nutrition and vigilance against pests and diseases.
Keeping potted chrysanthemums looking their finest from purchase through the end of the season is certainly achievable, but it does require some attentiveness. Check plants regularly for any signs of distress. At the first hint of wilting, it’s much easier to bring them back to life. Following these tips on reviving dying mums will have your pots bursting with gorgeous autumn blooms again before you know it.
A good drink of water (but not too much)
Youve stepped outside and your vibrant, burgundy mum is now turning a crispy brown. The most likely culprit? A very thirsty plant! Mums in containers are notorious for drying out quickly. They require more frequent watering than established mums growing in the ground. No matter where your plants are, though, brown leaves and shriveling blossoms are clear indicators of dryness.
To bring your flowers back to life, evaluate the state of the soil through touch. It should always feel moist, so this usually means watering every couple of days (but keep a closer eye on it during extra hot days). If the soil is dry, it should be watered immediately. Always water at the base of the plant with a deep soak. Avoid splashing the leaves because that can lead to fungal problems. If your containers seem to dry out no matter what you do, it may be helpful to place a dish underneath to assist with moisture retention.
However, be forewarned that mums can be temperamental when it comes to water. Moist soil is good but soggy is bad. Too much water causes its own set of problems, like root rot and mold. Overwatering can be identified by yellowing leaves that then turn black and fall off.
Give them better soil
If your mums are still suffering even after boosting their sunlight and water intake, poor soil may be to blame. This is especially true if you bought the plant at a garden center and then left it in that same pot. Oftentimes, theyre root-bound, which means the roots are tangled together without any room to spread out, and the pot is too small. Mums need soil that is well-draining, and the soil cant properly regulate moisture with the roots in this state.
Repot your purchased mum as soon as you can once you bring it home. Choose a container thats a couple of inches bigger to give the roots room to stretch. And, be sure to use potting mix to avoid any drainage issues from the get-go.
For mums in the ground, you may experience issues if your soil has clay or is too dense. Thankfully, this is a fixable problem! You can either backfill the holes with quality gardening soil or amend the dirt with beneficial compost, mixing it in at an 8- to 12-inch depth.
How to Easily Overwinter Your Potted Mums
FAQ
How to bring potted mums back to life?
– Once you get your mums home, soak them for 30-45 minutes to rehydrate them and ensure they are ready to absorb water. – If your mums haven’t bloomed yet, give them plenty of sunshine to encourage their growth. – Once they’ve bloomed, make sure to place them in a large pot with holes for drainage.
Why are my potted mums dying?
A Mum sitting in wet, soggy soil will start to droop, and eventually the leaves will turn soft and black and die. Mums are prone to root rot from sitting in wet soil. Make sure your pot has drainage holes and that the plant isn’t sitting in a pool of water.
Will mums in Pots come back?
Venus fly traps) You will most likely have to repot and cut off all the dead roots. Mums do better in a garden but they can live in a pot, they’re just harder to take care of imo. They’re perennials so they do come back every spring. The flowers themselves only last maybe 2 months.
Can I save potted mums?
Don’t transfer your mums. Keeping them in their original containers makes it easier to transfer them for bottom watering regularly. Pop the original container into a prettier pot or dollar store basket, or wrap them in burlap for decoration.
How do you care for a mum in a pot?
Leave the pot in the tub of water for two to three hours, then remove it and allow excess water to drain away. You can also topwater your mums to revive them. Give them a generous watering so that excess water drains from the holes in the bottom of the pot. In contrast, your mums’ soil could be waterlogged.
Can You revive a dying mum plant?
The good news is that you can revive dying plants. If you catch the issue early on, you may be able to address the fungal problem and help your Mums flourish again. Here are a few things you should do to restore your potted Mums. 1. Apply Fungicide The first thing you should do is apply an appropriate fungicide.
How do I restore my potted mums?
Here are a few things you should do to restore your potted Mums. 1. Apply Fungicide The first thing you should do is apply an appropriate fungicide. Fungicides inhibit growth and can kill the spores on contact. There are several products out there to try. Ultimately, the type of fungicide you use is going to depend on the issue you’re dealing with.
How do you revive a mum plant?
However, to ensure successful revival, you must plant the mums in an environment suited to their needs. Choose a location that receives at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day and has well-drained soil. Water Regularly: To ensure successful revival, mums should be watered at least once every two weeks.
How do I revive my mums?
To ensure your mums have the best chance at a successful revival, consider the following conditions: Plant Mums in the Right Environment: Mums are a popular choice for flower beds, window boxes, and other outdoor areas. However, to ensure successful revival, you must plant the mums in an environment suited to their needs.
How to grow a mum in a pot?
To grow a mum in a pot, fill in around the plant’s root ball with potting soil, not air. Tamp down the soil gently. Then, give the pot a good water and add more soil wherever it’s needed. Mums require lots of sun, so ensure the pot gets at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.