Chrysanthemums, commonly called mums, are the quintessential plant for autumn decoration, offering a vibrant burst of color as summer blooms fade. These flowering plants are botanically perennial but are usually cultivated and sold for a single season of display. Their retail cycle is highly seasonal, timed to coincide with the shift in weather that signals the beginning of fall. This availability results from the plant’s unique biological response to changes in day length.
The Seasonal Sales Schedule
Retailers typically begin stocking chrysanthemums in late August, though the main sales period starts closer to mid-September and continues through October. Stores display these early plants to transition inventory from summer to autumn themes. Consumers seeking the longest bloom time should note that peak availability for the healthiest, highest-quality plants aligns with the cooling weather of early to mid-fall.
The timing of the bloom is governed by photoperiodism, classifying the chrysanthemum as an obligate short-day plant. This means flower bud initiation requires nights of a specific, unbroken duration, typically longer than 12 hours. As the days naturally shorten after the summer solstice, the increasing length of darkness triggers the flowering response.
Commercial growers manipulate this requirement using specialized greenhouse techniques, such as covering plants with opaque black cloth daily to artificially lengthen the night period. This forces the plants to bud and bloom earlier than they would naturally. While this technique allows for the late August availability of “early mums,” the most robust and naturally timed displays occur as the season progresses into September.
Factors Affecting Availability
The general sales window varies based on several environmental and commercial factors. Geographical location plays a role, as regions experiencing prolonged summer heat may see a delayed stocking schedule. In southern areas, where high temperatures persist into late September, buying too early risks the flowers fading quickly from heat stress.
Local weather patterns, specifically the timing of the first sustained cool nights, can accelerate or delay the movement of plants onto store shelves. Mums thrive in cooler conditions, and a sudden cold snap may encourage retailers to stock their full inventory aggressively. Conversely, an extended period of warm weather can cause a delay in peak availability.
The type of retailer also influences when the plants first appear for sale. Large mass-market retailers and grocery chains often stock earlier, sometimes in August, to capture initial seasonal demand. Dedicated garden centers and local nurseries may prioritize quality and wait until mid-September to offer plants timed to peak perfectly in the local climate.
Tips for Buying Healthy Plants
When selecting a chrysanthemum, inspect the plant’s stage of bloom to maximize the color display at home. Choose plants where the majority of the flower buds are still tightly closed or just beginning to show a hint of color. A plant already in full bloom has a shorter remaining display life once purchased.
Examine the foliage carefully for signs of health or distress. The leaves should be a deep, uniform green and appear soft and pliable, not brittle or dry. Avoid plants exhibiting pale, yellowing, or spotty leaves, which indicate nutrient deficiency, disease, or pest presence.
Check the plant’s overall physical condition, looking for broken stems that may have occurred during shipping or handling. Before purchase, check the soil moisture; the medium should feel damp to the touch. Dry soil causes stress that diminishes the plant’s bloom potential. Selecting a plant with many tight buds and healthy, dark-green foliage ensures the longest period of autumn color.