Quick Summary: Caring for mums indoors is easy! Provide bright light, water regularly when the top inch of soil is dry, and keep them in a cool spot. With simple steps, your cheerful mums can brighten your home for weeks.
Mums, or Chrysanthemums, are the quintessential fall flower. We love their burst of color on our porches and patios. But what happens after the chilly nights set in? Many of us wonder if these beauties can survive, let alone thrive, inside our homes. It’s a common question, and sometimes a bit of a puzzle trying to keep them happy away from their outdoor elements. Don’t worry, bringing the vibrant charm of mums indoors and keeping them looking fabulous doesn’t have to be tricky! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, step-by-step, to enjoy your mums longer indoors.
Bringing the Autumn Charm Inside: Why Care for Mums Indoors?
There’s something truly special about the arrival of mums. Their rich hues of yellow, orange, red, and purple signal the shift in seasons. For many, the thought of losing these blooms when the weather turns cold is a little sad. That’s where bringing them inside comes in! It’s a fantastic way to extend their beauty and enjoy their cheerful presence well after the first frost. Plus, as apartment dwellers or those who simply want a splash of natural color indoors, mums offer an accessible and rewarding indoor gardening experience.
Indoor mums can continue to bloom and add life to your living spaces for a good amount of time if given the right care. They transform a windowsill, a side table, or a cozy corner into a focal point of natural beauty. It’s about more than just having a pretty plant; it’s about nurturing a bit of the outdoors inside and enjoying the simple pleasure of watching something grow and bloom.
Understanding Your Indoor Mum: What They Need
Think of your mum not as a temporary decoration, but as a living plant that has specific needs to stay happy and healthy indoors. While they are often treated as annuals in the garden, a little attention indoors can go a long way. The key is to replicate their ideal environment as much as possible. This means paying attention to light, water, temperature, and a little bit of feeding.
Mums, native to Asia and northeastern Europe, naturally grow in areas that experience distinct seasons. Indoors, we need to provide conditions that mimic their preference for bright light and cooler temperatures, which can be a bit of a balancing act when your home might be warm and cozy. But with these simple adjustments, you’ll find your mum can be a delightful indoor companion.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Care For Mums Indoors
Ready to give your mums a cozy indoor retreat? Follow these easy steps to ensure they stay vibrant and beautiful for as long as possible.
Step 1: Finding the Perfect Spot – Light is Key!
Mums absolutely adore light. Indoors, this translates to finding the sunniest spot you have. Think south-facing windows if possible, as these offer the most direct sunlight throughout the day.
- Bright, Indirect Light: Aim for at least six hours of light daily. While direct sun is best, bright, indirect light will also work, especially if your mum is already in bloom.
- Avoid Dim Corners: Mums will get leggy and may stop blooming if they don’t receive enough light.
- Rotate Your Plant: Give it a quarter turn every few days to ensure all sides get even sun exposure. This prevents lopsided growth.
Step 2: The Art of Watering – Not Too Much, Not Too Little
Watering is often where new gardeners stumble. Mums prefer consistently moist soil, but they absolutely hate sitting in soggy conditions. Soggy roots can lead to root rot, which is a quick way to lose your plant.
- Check the Soil Moisture: Stick your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water.
- Water Thoroughly: When you water, do so until water runs out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This ensures the entire root ball is hydrated.
- Discard Excess Water: Make sure the pot isn’t sitting in a saucer full of water. Empty any excess water after about 30 minutes.
- Frequency Varies: Watering needs will change depending on your home’s humidity, the pot size, and the amount of light your mum is getting. In winter, you might water less often than in warmer months.
Step 3: Temperature Matters – Cool and Comfortable
Mums are fall flowers, meaning they’re adapted to cooler temperatures. They will perform best indoors if kept in a relatively cool environment.
- Ideal Range: Mums thrive in temperatures between 60–70°F (15–21°C) during the day and slightly cooler at night, ideally around 50–60°F (10–15°C).
- Avoid Drafts and Heat Sources: Keep your mum away from hot radiators, heating vents, and cold, drafty windows or doors. Extreme temperature fluctuations can stress the plant and cause it to drop its blooms.
- Consider a Garage or Unheated Room: If you have a very sunny, unheated garage, sunroom, or porch that stays above freezing, this could be an excellent resting place for your mum, especially for overwintering.
Step 4: Feeding Your Mum – A Little Boost
When mums are in full bloom, they don’t necessarily need a lot of extra food. However, if you’re trying to encourage reblooming or keep them healthy through a longer indoor stay, a bit of fertilizer can help.
- Diluted Fertilizer: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
- When to Feed: Feed approximately every 2–4 weeks during their blooming period. Once blooming has finished, you can stop fertilizing until the next growing season.
- Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Too much fertilizer can burn the roots and even promote leggy growth rather than blooms.
Step 5: Deadheading – Keeping it Tidy and Encouraging More Blooms
Deadheading is simply the process of removing spent or faded flowers. This not only keeps your plant looking tidy but also encourages it to put energy into producing new blooms rather than developing seeds.
- How to Deadhead: Use clean scissors or your fingers to pinch off the faded flower just above a set of healthy leaves.
- Benefits: This promotes a bushier plant and can encourage more flowers to open.
Step 6: Pest Patrol – Keeping Annoying Critters at Bay
While generally hardy, indoor mums can sometimes attract common houseplant pests. Regular inspection is key.
- Common Pests: Look out for aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. These tiny insects can suck the life out of your plant.
- Inspection: Gently inspect the undersides of leaves and stems.
- Treatment: If you find pests, the first step is usually a good rinse with water. For more persistent infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil, following product instructions carefully. For more information on identifying and managing common plant pests, the Washington State University Puyallup Extension offers excellent resources.
Overwintering Your Mum: Giving it a Long Indoor Life
Many people discard their mums after their initial bloom, assuming they are purely annuals. However, with a bit of effort, you can successfully overwinter your mum and enjoy it for seasons to come! This process is often called “going dormant.”
Step 1: Post-Bloom Care
Once your mum has finished flowering, it’s time to shift its care strategy. The goal now is to let it rest and prepare for its next growth cycle.
- Pruning: Cut the plant back by about one-third to one-half its height. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves. This encourages new, sturdy growth in the spring.
- Reduce Watering: Water less frequently. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings, but don’t let it become bone dry.
- Stop Fertilizing: Cease all fertilization until new growth appears in the spring.
Step 2: Finding a Dormant Spot
Mums need a chilly period to rest their roots. This dormant phase is crucial for their long-term health.
- Temperature is Key: Look for a location that stays cool, ideally between 35–50°F (2–10°C).
- Good Options: An unheated garage, a basement with a window, a cool sunroom, or even a protected porch that doesn’t freeze solid can work.
- Light Needs During Dormancy: While they need some light, it’s less critical than during their active growing and blooming phases. A little natural light is beneficial, but not essential for survival.
Step 3: The Waiting Game
Allow your mum to rest throughout the winter. Resist the urge to water too much; the plant is not actively growing and will use very little water.
Check the soil moisture every few weeks. If it feels dry, give it just enough water to moisten the soil slightly. The goal is to prevent the roots from drying out completely but avoid waterlogging.
Step 4: Spring Awakening
As spring approaches (think late February or March), you’ll notice signs of new growth. This is when you start to transition your mum back to active care.
- Increase Light: Move the plant to a brighter location.
- Increase Watering: Begin watering more regularly as new growth emerges.
- Fertilize: Start feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer again, every 2–4 weeks.
- Repotting: Once new growth is well underway, consider repotting your mum into fresh potting soil and a slightly larger pot if it has become root-bound. You can also divide the plant if it has grown into a large clump, creating multiple new plants!
Troubleshooting Common Mum Problems Indoors
Even with the best intentions, you might encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
Problem: Yellowing Leaves
- Cause: Overwatering is the most common culprit. It can also be underwatering, or a lack of light.
- Solution: Check soil moisture and adjust watering. Ensure adequate drainage. If roots are mushy and dark, it’s root rot – trim affected roots, repot in fresh, dry soil, and water sparingly. If soil is too dry, water thoroughly. Increase light if the plant is very leggy.
Problem: Drooping or Wilting Flowers/Foliage
Cause: This is often a sign of thirst. Mums are fairly dramatic when they need water! It could also be due to inconsistent watering, extreme temperatures, or too much direct, hot sun indoors.
Problem: Leggy Growth, Few Blooms
Cause: Insufficient light is the primary reason. Mums need plenty of bright light to produce dense foliage and abundant flowers.
Problem: Mold or Mildew on Leaves
Cause: Poor air circulation and high humidity can lead to fungal issues.
FAQ: Your Indoor Mum Questions Answered
Curious about specific aspects of indoor mum care? Here are some frequently asked questions:
Q1: Can I plant my mum in regular houseplant soil?
A1: Yes, you can. Use a good quality, well-draining potting mix. If the soil seems too compact, mix in some perlite or sand to improve drainage. This helps prevent waterlogged roots, which mums dislike.
Q2: Why are my mum’s leaves turning yellow and dropping off?
A2: Yellowing leaves indoors are most often caused by overwatering. Mums need consistent moisture but not soggy feet. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again, and always ensure excess water drains away. Underwatering or lack of light can also cause yellowing.
Q3: How often should I water my indoor mum?
A3: There’s no strict schedule, as it depends on your home’s environment. The best rule of thumb is to check the soil by sticking your finger about an inch down. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. Water deeply until it runs out the bottom.
Q4: My mum bloomed indoors, but now the flowers are fading. What should I do?
A4: Once the flowers fade, deadhead them by pinching or cutting off the spent bloom just above a set of healthy leaves. This encourages the plant to produce more flowers and keeps it looking tidy. If all blooms have faded, you can prepare it for overwintering by pruning it back.
Q5: Will my mum rebloom indoors if I care for it properly?
A5: Mums are short-day plants, meaning they bloom when days get shorter and nights get longer. Indoors, this natural signal might be disrupted by artificial lighting. While you can encourage continued blooming for a while with proper care, for significant reblooming indoors, it’s best to let them go dormant outdoors or in a cool, dark period indoors over winter. For more on the science behind plant flowering, resources like the Britannica provide excellent explanations on photoperiodism.
Q6: Can I put my mum outside in the summer and bring it back in the fall?
A6: Absolutely! This is a great way to let your mum get plenty of sun and fresh air during the warmer months. Acclimatize it gradually to outdoor conditions before placing it in full sun, and then bring it back indoors gradually before the first frost to minimize shock.
Q7: My mum smells musty. What’s wrong?
A7: A musty smell is often a sign of root rot from overwatering and poor drainage. Ensure the pot has drainage holes and that the plant isn’t sitting in standing water. You may need to repot it in fresh, drier soil and trim any rotted roots.
A Beautiful Bloom, Indoors and Out
Caring for mums indoors is a wonderfully rewarding experience. It’s about extending the beauty of autumn and enjoying a vibrant splash of color for longer than you might have thought possible. By providing the right balance of bright light, consistent watering, and a cool environment, you can transform your indoor mum from a seasonal decoration into a long-lasting houseplant.
Remember, the key is understanding their needs and responding to their cues. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn what works best in your home. Whether you’re aiming to enjoy their blooms for a few extra weeks or you’re determined to overwinter them for years of beauty, the simple steps outlined here will guide you. So, embrace the challenge, nurture your chrysanthemum, and enjoy the unique charm it brings to your indoor oasis. Happy gardening!
