Mums are one of those plants that reward you big in fall — but only if you put in a little work during spring. Most people think of chrysanthemums as purely autumn flowers, and while that’s when they shine, what you do in spring is what sets everything up.
A little care now goes a long way. Here’s how to do it right, without overcomplicating things.
Start by Checking What Survived Winter
Once the cold has passed and you’re seeing consistent warmth, go check on your mums. If you left them in the ground over winter (which is totally fine for hardy varieties), you’ll likely spot small green shoots pushing up from the base.
That’s a great sign. It means the roots made it through.
If the plant looks completely dead and dry with no new growth after a few weeks of warm weather, it probably didn’t survive. In that case, it’s time to start fresh with new plants.
Cut away any dead, brown stems from last year down to where you see that fresh green growth. Don’t be shy about it — removing the old growth helps the plant put its energy into the new stuff.
Give Them a Good Spring Feeding
Mums are heavy feeders. They want nutrients, especially as they gear up for a full season of growth.
In early spring, work a balanced, slow-release fertilizer into the soil around the base of each plant. Something with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium works well. You can also use a general-purpose granular fertilizer — just follow the package directions and don’t overdo it.
Water the area after feeding so the nutrients start moving into the soil where the roots can actually use them.
Repeat this feeding every four to six weeks through the growing season. Stop fertilizing by late summer so the plant can shift its focus to blooming rather than producing more leaves.
Water Consistently, but Don’t Drown Them
Mums like moisture, but they don’t like sitting in soggy soil. Root rot is a real problem if drainage is poor.
Water at the base of the plant rather than from above. Wet leaves can encourage fungal issues, especially when the weather is still cool and damp in early spring.
Aim for about an inch of water per week, either from rain or from you. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil — if it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If it still feels moist, hold off.
Once the weather warms up, you may need to water more frequently.
Pinching: The Most Important Thing You Can Do in Spring
This one surprises a lot of new gardeners. You actually need to cut your mums back — intentionally — to get more flowers in fall.
It’s called pinching, and it works like this: when the new stems are about four to six inches tall, pinch or snip off the top inch or so. This encourages the plant to branch out and grow more stems, which means more flower buds later on.
You keep doing this throughout spring and into early summer, stopping around midsummer (usually late June to early July, depending on where you live). Gardeners who start wondering how many days until spring as early as January are often the ones who stay on top of this step — because timing matters. After midsummer, let the plant do its thing and develop buds.
Skipping this step usually results in tall, floppy plants with fewer flowers. It only takes a few minutes, and the payoff is huge.
Make Sure They’re in the Right Spot
If you’re planting new mums this spring or transplanting existing ones, location matters.
Mums want full sun — at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. They’ll grow in part shade, but they won’t bloom as well.
They also need soil that drains well. Suppose your soil is heavy clay; mix in some compost before planting to loosen it up. Good soil structure helps roots grow deep and strong, which means a healthier plant overall.
Space plants about 18 inches apart so air can circulate between them. Crowded mums are more prone to disease.
Keep an Eye Out for Pests
Spring brings a fresh batch of garden bugs, and mums can attract aphids, spider mites, and leafhoppers.
Check under the leaves every week or so. If you spot small clusters of soft-bodied insects, a strong spray of water from the hose often knocks them off. For a heavier infestation, insecticidal soap works well and is gentle on the plants.
Healthy, well-fed mums in good soil are naturally more resistant to pests, so the other steps on this list help here too.
A Simple Spring Checklist
To keep things easy, here’s what spring mum care really comes down to:
- Remove dead growth and check for new shoots
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer and water it in
- Water at the base, about an inch per week
- Start pinching when stems reach four to six inches tall
- Make sure the plant has full sun and well-drained soil
- Check for pests weekly
Spring care sets the stage for everything that comes later. A mum that’s been properly pinched, fed, and watered through spring will reward you with a full, bushy plant loaded with color come fall. And honestly, once you’ve done it a season or two, it becomes second nature.
Get out there and get your hands in the dirt. Your mums will thank you for it.
