Chrysanthemums, often called “mums,” are diverse flowering plants celebrated for the vibrant burst of color they provide, particularly as a popular seasonal flower. These members of the Asteraceae family offer a wide range of bloom forms and colors, making them highly sought after for garden display and floral arrangements. Acquiring these versatile plants is straightforward, as they are available in multiple forms and locations for immediate decoration or long-term cultivation.
Immediate Sources for Potted Plants and Cut Flowers
For shoppers seeking immediate color, the most accessible locations are local retail outlets and floral departments. Large chain stores and big-box retailers typically stock common, mass-produced varieties of potted chrysanthemums during the late summer and fall. These are often florist mums, bred for abundant, short-term display rather than long-term garden hardiness.
Local garden centers and nurseries offer a similar selection but may also include a greater range of “hardy mums” (Dendranthema hybrids) suitable for overwintering in certain climate zones. These locations sell mature, blooming plants in containers, providing instant impact for porches, patios, or garden beds. Grocery stores and dedicated florists are the primary source for fresh, cut chrysanthemum flowers, available year-round due to commercial greenhouse forcing. These cut flowers, sold by the stem or in bouquets, are ideal for indoor arrangements and generally provide a vase life of one to three weeks.
Specialized Nurseries and Online Suppliers
When seeking specific or less-common cultivars, specialized nurseries and online mail-order suppliers are the preferred source. These vendors cater to dedicated gardeners, cut-flower farmers, and enthusiasts looking for heirloom or exhibition varieties not found in general retail. Specialized online retailers often offer a significantly wider catalog, sometimes listing hundreds of distinct varieties, including unique spider, pompon, or reflexed bloom types.
These specialized sources typically ship chrysanthemums as small, rooted plug plants or unrooted cuttings. These young plant starts are designed for the customer to grow out over the season. Purchasing from these suppliers is beneficial for acquiring true perennial Chrysanthemum types, specifically labeled for long-term garden growth, or for buying in bulk for landscape projects. Ordering from mail-order nurseries requires planning ahead, as shipping often occurs in the spring, months before the typical fall bloom time.
Choosing the Right Product: Plants, Cuttings, or Seeds
Chrysanthemums can be purchased in three primary forms, each serving a different purpose. A mature, container-grown plant is the best option for immediate aesthetic value, as it is already in bud or bloom and ready for instant placement. Potted plants are favored for seasonal displays where color is needed immediately.
For those focused on long-term cultivation or bulk production, unrooted or rooted cuttings are the most efficient option. Cuttings are small stems taken from a mother plant that, once rooted, can grow into a full-sized plant within a single season, offering a true-to-type reproduction. Growing from seeds is the least common method for achieving specific blooms, as most decorative varieties are hybrids that do not reliably grow true from seed. Seeds are generally reserved for developing new, unique varieties or for small, single-flowered bedding types, and they require a longer establishment period.
Key Considerations When Purchasing Mums
Regardless of the source, inspecting the plant’s health is important to ensure a long-lasting display. Shoppers should look for plants with compact, bushy growth rather than those that appear tall and spindly. The foliage should be a rich, deep green color; signs of yellowing, brown spots, or wilting may indicate disease or poor care.
To maximize the duration of the bloom, select a plant that has numerous tight, unopened flower buds rather than one already covered in open flowers. While a few open blooms confirm the color, a plant with mostly buds will extend the flowering period for several weeks after purchase. Checking the undersides of the leaves can reveal common pests like aphids or leaf miners, which should be avoided.