6 Tips for Choosing Mums That Will Last All Season, According to Pros

Mums are a popular fall flower—they come in beautiful fall-inspired colors, from rusty orange to sunset red. They also start to bloom in fall, when summer flowers fade away.

We talked to flower experts to learn how to choose the best mums so they last throughout the fall. Here are their expert-approved tips.

Shop Local

Not all mums are suitable for every environment or USDA zone. Therefore, it’s essential to find out which varieties of mums do best in your area.

According to Tammy Sons, a horticulturist and founder of TN Nursery, shopping at your local nursery or plant shop is an easy way to achieve this.

“Choosing mums in your area often means they are the varieties that will thrive there, so always try to shop locally for this reason,” she says.

While big stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot may have a wider selection of mum varieties, many of them might not be suitable as perennials in your USDA zone.

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Look for Buds

If you want your mums to last as long as possible, don’t buy them when they are fully in bloom. Instead, Sons recommends getting mums with buds that haven’t bloomed yet.

“The flowers last longer in your landscape if you do not buy those with ‘exhausted blooms’ or in ‘full bloom,’” she says.

Look for mums that appear to be just budding or about to open their flowers. According to Lindsey Chastain, a homesteader, gardener, and founder of The Waddle and Cluck, you should also avoid any plants with wilted or falling flowers.

“Gently touch the blooms to make sure they feel firm and healthy. If they feel crumbly or slimy, the plant is not healthy,” she says.

Skip Florist Mums

There are two types of mums: florist mums and garden mums. While both are chrysanthemums, they are used for different purposes. Florist mums, which generally have more vibrant colors, are grown as annuals and won’t return yearly, Sons says.

On the other hand, garden mums, also known as hardy mums, are perennials and will return if you plant them in your garden. Florist mums are also smaller and less likely to thrive in outdoor displays. Thus, if you want your mums to last and return next year, pick garden mums.

Avoid Faded Mums

This might seem obvious, but just as you shouldn’t buy mums that are already in full bloom, you also don’t want any that have started to die. If the mums you’re eyeing are already drying out or have multiple deadheads, don’t buy them, even if they have plenty of other blooms, Sons explains.

Sons recommends deadheading any leftover blooms to extend their life. However, this should be done as your plant ages with the season. You don’t want to start with a plant that needs multiple rounds of deadheading.

Check for Sunlight

All mums need plenty of sunlight—around six hours a day. Too much shade, and the mums will be less likely to bloom at all or as often. So, when picking a mum plant at your local nursery, choose one that has been getting enough sunlight. You can tell by the amount of healthy foliage on the plant, Chastain says.

“Look for plants with a lot of green leaves below the blooms. If the plant has spotted or yellowing leaves, it’s not a good choice,” she says.

However, when you bring your mum home, be sure to take your plant in when the sun starts to go down to avoid damaging your mums.

Chastain recommends bringing your mums indoors at night if temperatures fall below 40 degrees. Too much cold and shade can stress mums, preventing them from blooming.

See If the Mums Have Water

Just like mums need sunlight to thrive, they also require lots of water. Gardeners and horticulturists selling the mums should be watering the plants in the mornings.

“Mums are full-sun plants that get super thirsty,” Sons says.

If the mums appear dried out or are starting to brown, this could be a sign that they haven’t gotten enough water. Without proper watering, the mums are unlikely to bloom or survive the entire fall season.