An expert gardener shared a little-known but helpful tip, explaining that many chrysanthemums are perennials that can be planted to return year after year.
The scoop
The TikTok account You Can Do It Gardening (@youcandoitgardening) posted an informative video about chrysanthemums. These popular flowers are often purchased in pots and discarded when their season ends. However, Jess, the gardener behind the account, explained that many mums can be replanted.
@youcandoitgardening It's so nice to have late-season bloomers—both for us and for pollinators.🐝The genus Aster has around 170 species, some of which which are native to North America. Those ones have an essential role in supporting specific local wildlife that only rely on this (host plant). Chrysanthemums on the other hand, are native to east Asia and Northern Europe. (Ditto for some aster species.) They are both from the same family: Asteraceae. Mums can be pollinators, though many are not, and they can support what's referred to as "generalist" species. Nothing wrong with having some in your yard but how about introducing some asters in there as well. You can have both! Be aware that not all mums will come back. My understanding is that there are two different kinds of mums: annual (multicaule) and perennials (morifolium). If they're not labeled, the annuals tend to have thinner leaves that are not as wide and don't have "notches" which are deep. Still, depending on where you live you could still try just leaving them in the ground. If you're are still in pots, go ahead and plant them somewhere! Many people "pinch" their mums mid season. I do not because I like the loose look, but you can so they don't flop everywhere. This particular kind is Dendranthema morifolium—either "Hillside Sheffield Pink" or "Cambodian Queen." You can also do that with asters but again, I personally like a looser look. These asters are smooth asters. (Symphyotrichum laeve) Note: If you're looking to add some asters please note: New England asters are very tall so be aware of that if you're buying any of those. For those aster lovers out there, which are your favorite and if you know which insects they support, please share! About me: I am a garden coach and consultant based in the Boston area (zone 6b). I meet with people in person around the Boston area and virtually all over the country and Canada. These videos were done by clients. My website for consultations: https://www.youcandoitgardening.com #youcandoitgardening #aster #mums #polinator #nativeplant #gardeningforbeginners #gardeningtips #gardencoach #gardening #landscaping #gardening101 ♬ original sound - You Can Do It Gardening
She urged her followers, "Don't throw out those mums!" Instead, she encouraged them to replant mums because they're hardy enough to bloom again. Despite the dead look when their season ends, they're still alive. The video showed how to snap off the dead stems to replant the roots.
Chrysanthemum roots and a healthy plot of soil are all you need. You can also divide the roots to grow multiple mum plants.
Jess shared that she likes to "spread mums around" to fill out her garden. Mums are especially perfect perennials (explained here by Wildflowers in Bloom). They bloom later in the fall, keeping gardens colorful when other blossoms go dormant.
How it's working
Mums look completely dead when their bloom finishes, so many people throw them away when they're still alive. Jess's advice can save you money because you don't need to buy new mums every year.
Plus, gardening has a range of benefits. Spending time outdoors can improve physical health, and caring for plants can boost mental wellness by relieving stress.
This also saves mums "doomed for the yard waste pile or landfill," as Jess put it. Replanting mums means they won't end up in landfills, where they contribute to pollution.
As Jess pointed out in her caption, these flowers can be excellent pollinators. "It's so nice to have late-season bloomers—both for us and for pollinators," she wrote. Supporting pollinators supports our food supply too, as the United States Department of Agriculture explained.
🗣️ How much time do you spend taking care of the plants inside or outside your home?
🔘 Several hours a week 🧑🌾
🔘 One hour a week ⌛
🔘 Less than one hour ⏳
🔘 I don't have any plants 😢
🗳️ Click your choice to see results and speak your mind
This brilliant hack means more blossoms in your yard, more money in your wallet, and happy pollinators in your garden.
What people are saying
Commenters were delighted to learn chrysanthemums can be perennial. One expressed surprise, "Wow I didn't know!!!"
A few people discovered this information just in time to save their mums. One said, "I just threw mine into the woods! I'm going to run and put it into the ground." Another commented, "Off to go rescue my mums from the mum pile of death in the back corner of the lot."
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