Mums, or chrysanthemums, are versatile and vibrant plants that can thrive indoors if cared for correctly. Whether you want to keep mums indoors as thriving houseplants or allow them to rest in dormancy for a renewed bloom next season, proper care is essential. This detailed guide will help you extend the beauty of your potted mums and ensure they remain healthy and vibrant throughout their time indoors.
How Long Can Mums Survive Indoors?
The lifespan of mums indoors depends on how they are cared for and whether you choose to maintain them as active houseplants or dormant plants. With consistent attention to light, water, and temperature, mums indoors can thrive for several months. Many gardeners prefer keeping mums indoors as houseplants, especially if they have sunny spots or access to grow lights. Others may let their mums go dormant during winter, ensuring they rest before rejuvenating in spring. Either approach can keep mums alive and beautiful when managed properly.
Repotting Mums for Indoor Growth
Repotting is a critical step in maintaining the health and vibrancy of mums indoors. Whether you have garden mums or florist mums, fresh soil and a slightly larger pot can make all the difference.
Why Repot Mums
Florist Mums
These plants are often sold in small pots, with multiple plants crowded together to create a lush, full look. While appealing, this arrangement limits root growth. Separating these plants into individual pots allows each to develop stronger roots and grow more robustly.
Garden Mums
Typically purchased in plastic nursery pots, garden mums are often root-bound, with their roots tightly packed. The soil in these pots is often low quality, ranging from heavy mixes to sphagnum moss. Repotting these mums into a larger pot with fresh, nutrient-rich soil can help rejuvenate them.
Steps for Repotting
Select a pot that is 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the current container. Make sure the pot has sufficient drainage holes to avoid waterlogging .Carefully remove the mum from its original pot and gently loosen the roots. For severely root-bound plants, you may need to use a knife to separate the roots slightly.
Read Also:Safe Tress Planting Guide
Place the plant in the new pot, ensuring it sits at the same soil depth as before. Fill the pot with fresh potting soil, pressing gently around the roots. Give the plant a deep watering to help it adjust to its new surroundings.
Overwintering Mums Indoors
Overwintering mums indoors can be done in two primary ways: keeping them as houseplants or allowing them to rest in dormancy. Each method has its own requirements, and the choice depends on your preferences and available space.
Caring for Mums Indoors as Houseplants
If you prefer to keep mums indoors as active, growing plants:
Deadhead spent blooms before the first frost to encourage fresh growth and bring the plant indoors. Place the plant in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. A south-facing window or a grow light can provide the energy mums need. Maintain consistent soil moisture. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again, ensuring the plant doesn’t become completely parched. Be cautious not to overwater, as this can cause root rot.Monitor the plant weekly to ensure optimal growth conditions.
Caring for Dormant Mums Indoors
If you’d rather let your mums rest: Allow a few light frosts to naturally kill back the foliage before bringing the plant indoors. Trim the stems to about 3–4 inches above the soil level. Store the pot in a cool, dark location, such as a basement, garage, or shed. Water sparingly during dormancy, ensuring the soil remains slightly damp but not waterlogged. In early spring, bring the plant out of storage, exposing it to partial sunlight and gradually increasing watering to encourage new growth.
How to Encourage Indoor Mums to Bloom
Mums indoors can bloom beautifully with the right care. Here are key tips to encourage flowers:
Provide Adequate Light
Mums require bright light to thrive. While 4–6 hours of natural sunlight is sufficient, adding a grow light can ensure the plant has enough energy to produce flowers.
Fertilize Regularly
During the growing season, feed mums with a liquid, general-purpose fertilizer every two weeks. Fertilizing is unnecessary during dormancy.
Pinch for Shape
Pinching involves removing the tips of growing stems to promote a fuller, rounded shape. Perform pinching throughout spring and early summer, stopping by early July to allow flower buds to form.
Garden Mums vs. Florist Mums
Understanding the differences between garden mums and florist mums can help you provide better care:
Garden Mums
These hardy perennials are primarily sold for outdoor use and are popular for fall displays. While they can survive winter outdoors in USDA Zones 5–9, garden mums purchased in late autumn often don’t establish roots quickly enough to withstand freezing temperatures. Keeping these mums indoors over winter ensures their survival.
Florist Mums
These decorative plants are less hardy and typically grown as indoor houseplants. While they’re often discarded after blooming, florist mums can also be kept alive with proper care and encouraged to bloom again.
Extending the Life of Mums Indoors
Keeping mums indoors for an extended period is rewarding but requires consistent care. If you wish to prolong their bloom time, place them in a sunny spot and remove spent flowers regularly.
Conclusion
Mums indoors are a delightful way to bring color and life to your home. Whether you keep them as active houseplants or allow them to rest and rejuvenate for the next growing season, these plants are versatile and rewarding to care for. . With patience and effort, you can even enjoy their beauty year after year. So, embrace the joy of keeping mums indoors and add a touch of charm to your indoor garden.
