Are Mums Perennials That Will Come Back in Spring?

Mums, known for their vibrant fall blooms, are a popular choice for adding color to gardens and porches during autumn. However, a common question many gardeners have is: are mums perennials that will return each year, or do you need to buy new ones every fall? The truth is, while mums can be perennials, their longevity depends largely on how they are cared for and where they are planted.

Garden mums are indeed perennials, but they often need special attention to survive the winter and come back year after year. Without the right care, mums bought in the fall may not survive through the colder months. Here’s how to help them thrive as perennials.

Can You Keep Mums from Year to Year?

Most mums purchased in the fall are grown specifically for that season and are intended to be treated as annuals. These plants are bred and timed by growers to bloom at the perfect moment, offering their bright colors when other plants are fading. However, with proper care, you can help them thrive as perennials.

For mums to survive the winter and return in spring, they need to be planted early enough in the growing season to establish strong roots. Mums sold in the fall may not have had enough time to develop a deep root system, which is why they often struggle to survive through the colder months. To increase the chances of mums returning year after year, follow these steps:

How to Grow Mums as Perennials

To ensure your mums come back in the spring, you must plant them early and provide the right conditions:

1. Plant in Spring or Early Summer: This gives the mums enough time to develop strong roots before the colder months arrive.
2. Choose a Sunny Location: Mums thrive in full sun. If you live in a particularly hot climate, consider planting them where they’ll get afternoon shade to prevent heat stress.
3. Ensure Good Drainage: Well-drained soil is key to preventing root rot and other issues.
4. Use Mulch for Protection: In areas with cold winters, cover your mums with 4-6 inches of mulch to protect their shallow roots from freezing.
5. Don’t Cut Back Old Growth Until Spring: Leaving the old growth intact over the winter helps secure the mulch and offers additional protection against the cold.

Overwintering Mums in Pots

If you bought mums in pots and didn’t have the chance to plant them in the ground before the first frost, you can still keep them alive by overwintering them indoors. Mums are often root-bound by the time they’re sold in the fall, which limits their ability to absorb water and air. Here’s how to successfully overwinter mums in pots:

1. Move Mums Inside During Frosty Nights: On nights with frost, bring the potted mums indoors, and place them back outside during the day.
2. Keep Mums in a Cool, Dark Area: Once temperatures stay below freezing, bring the pots inside and place them in a dark, cool room. The mums will enter dormancy.
3. Monitor Soil Moisture: Check the soil moisture every few weeks. If it’s dry, give the plants a little water. Over-watering can be harmful, but completely dry soil can kill the plant.
4. Prepare for Spring: After the last frost, bring your mums outside. Trim away the dead stems and gradually expose the plants to more sunlight. This will help them acclimate to the outdoor environment again.

Pinching Mums for Better Growth

One of the easiest ways to encourage bushier growth and more blooms is pinching. Pinching involves removing the growing tip of a shoot, which forces the plant to produce multiple new shoots. This method helps prevent mums from becoming leggy and encourages a fuller, more compact plant with more flowers.

When growing mums as perennials, pinching is essential to create a mounded, bushy shape. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start Early: Begin pinching when the plant is 4-6 inches tall.
2. Pinch Off the Growing Tip: Use your fingers or scissors to remove the growing tip of the plant. You should remove about an inch of growth.
3. Repeat Every Few Weeks: Continue pinching the new shoots every 2-4 weeks. This encourages more branches and buds, resulting in a fuller, more compact plant.
4. Stop Pinching by the 4th of July: Halting the pinching process around the 4th of July gives the mums enough time to develop flower buds before fall.

Conclusion

Mums can indeed be perennials that return year after year, but they require some care and attention to survive through the winter. By planting them early, providing the right environment, and using techniques like mulching and pinching, you can enjoy the beautiful blooms of mums every fall. Whether planted in the ground or in pots, taking these steps will ensure that your mums thrive and continue to brighten your garden season after season.