Chrysanthemum – The Official October Month Flower In Ancient China
Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are colorful flowering plants in the daisy family that bloom in autumn. In ancient China they were linked with the ninth month of the lunar calendar, which falls around October, so they are often described as China’s October flower. Today they are one of the most popular fall flowers in the world.
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Chrysanthemum |
| Scientific name | Chrysanthemum |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Type | Flowering plant in the daisy family |
| Native range | Northeastern Europe and Asia; mostly eastern Asia |
| Colours | Red, pink, purple, white, green; once yellow |
| Flowering season | September to November |
| Special feature | Grown in China for about 2,500 years |
Where Chrysanthemums Come From
There are about 40 wild species of chrysanthemum. Most come from East Asia, and China is the center of their diversity, though a few grow wild in northeastern Europe.
People in China have grown chrysanthemums for well over 2,000 years. The flower was a symbol of autumn, long life, and the noble scholar, and the Double Ninth Festival, held on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, is still connected with chrysanthemums. The plant spread to Japan, where it became the symbol of the emperor, and it reached England in the late 1700s, around 1795. Since then, gardeners have created thousands of cultivated varieties.
What They Look Like
Wild chrysanthemums often had small yellow flowers, but modern mums come in many colors, including white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, bronze, and even green.
Each “flower” is really a flower head made of many tiny florets packed together. The shapes vary a lot. Some mums are flat like daisies, some are round pompons or small buttons, and others have long, spidery petals or big ball-shaped blooms.
How to Grow Chrysanthemums
Getting Ready to Plant
Mums grow best in full sun, with at least six hours of sunlight a day, though a little afternoon shade helps in very hot areas. They like rich, well-drained soil. Mix compost or other organic matter into the bed, and you can add a slow-release organic fertilizer such as pelleted chicken manure. During the growing season, a liquid fertilizer every four to six weeks keeps them growing strongly.
Planting
Photo by: KENPEI
Young plants raised indoors should be “hardened off” first. In spring, put them outside for a little longer each day, or in a cold frame, so they get used to outdoor weather.
Plant them out once all danger of frost has passed, usually in mid to late spring. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot and space plants about 18 inches (45 cm) apart so air can move between them.
Watering
Water new plants well and do not let them wilt. Once they are settled, most mums need about 1 inch of water a week, more in hot, dry weather. Potted mums dry out faster, so check them often.
Pinching for Bushy Plants
In late spring and early summer, pinch off the tips of the stems every few weeks. This makes the plant branch out and grow bushy, with more flowers later. Stop pinching by about mid-July so the plant has time to form its flower buds.
Flowering Time
Most garden mums bloom from late summer through autumn, usually September to November. They respond to the shorter days of fall, which is why they flower later than many other plants.
Care After Blooming
When the flowers fade, you can cut garden mums back. Many gardeners leave the old stems over winter to help protect the plant, then trim them back in spring. Potted mums from a store can be planted into well-drained garden soil, where hardy types may come back for years.
As Cut Flowers
Photo by: KENPEI
Chrysanthemums are among the longest-lasting cut flowers, often staying fresh for two to three weeks in a vase. Recut the stems every few days and change the water often to help them last.
In the garden, mums look great in borders, in front of shrubs, or under roses, and dwarf types suit rock gardens and containers. They can also be grown indoors as potted plants in bright light.
One safety note: chrysanthemums are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep potted mums out of reach of pets.
Chrysanthemum FAQs
Where do chrysanthemums come from?
Chrysanthemums come from Asia and northeastern Europe, and most are from eastern Asia. China has the greatest variety.
What colours are chrysanthemums?
Chrysanthemums were once tiny yellow flowers, but now they come in red, pink, purple, white, green and many other colours. The blooms can be round, button-shaped or daisy-shaped.
When do chrysanthemums bloom?
Chrysanthemums flower from September to November. They were the official flower for October in ancient China.
How long do chrysanthemums last in a vase?
Cut chrysanthemums last about three weeks. Re-cut the stems and change the water often to keep them fresh.
How much sun do chrysanthemums need?
They grow best in sun, but they can manage in partial shade, especially out of the hot afternoon sun. Plant them about 18 inches apart.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
