When Do Mums Start To Grow Back: Everything You Need To Know!

Mums, also known as chrysanthemums, are popular fall flowers that add color and beauty to gardens and landscapes. They are a perennial plant, meaning they come back year after year.

However, many gardeners wonder when mums start to grow back after winter and what they can do to ensure their plants come back strong.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about when mums start to grow back, the different types of mums, how you can help them thrive, the factors that affect their growth, and the best time to start caring for them. If you wonder what mums look like in the spring, I wrote a whole article that I encourage you to read.

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Types Of Mums Plants

Mums, also known as chrysanthemums, are popular fall flowers loved for their vibrant colors and long-lasting blooms. Typically, there are two main types of mums: garden mums and florist mums (Source: Better Homes & Gardens)

Garden mums, also called hardy mums, are perennial plants that can survive cold winters. They typically start to grow back in the spring when the soil begins to warm.
On the other hand, florist mums, also known as pot mums, are grown as annual plants and cannot withstand cold temperatures. They usually start to grow again in late winter or early spring when they are repotted.

Factors Affecting Mums Plants Growth

Several factors affect the growth rate of mums, including soil temperature, sunlight exposure, and moisture. Mums grow best in well-draining soil with a temperature between 60-70°F. They also need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily (Source: Michigan State University Extension)

Lack of moisture can lead to stunted growth and reduced flower production, so it’s crucial to water them regularly.

Caring For Mums Plants

The best time to start caring for your mums depends on the type and location of your plants:

If you have garden mums, you should start caring for them in early spring before new growth appears, including pruning the old stems, fertilizing the soil, and adding mulch to retain moisture.
If you have florist mums, you should wait until late winter or early spring to repot them and start caring for them.

Once you’ve planted your mums in the right conditions and taken care of them during the dormant season, they should start to grow back and bloom in late summer or early fall.

In addition to well-drained soil, keeping a consistent temperature will help care for your mums during the changing seasons. Generally, the soil temperature fluctuates from freezing to thawing can hurt their roots.

However, to ensure that your mums continue to thrive and produce the best blooms, you should continue to care for them throughout the growing season, including deadheading and pruning to encourage new growth, watering regularly, and adding fertilizer.

When do Mums Start to Grow Back?

Mums typically start to grow back in the early spring once the weather starts to warm up. This is a time when the soil temperature reaches around 60° F, which is the ideal temperature for mums to germinate (Source: University of Missouri)

However, when mums start to grow back can vary depending on your location and climate. In colder regions, mums may not start to grow back until May or June, while in warmer areas, they may start to grow back as early as late February or March.

Generally, many mums blossom throughout the fall; however, some species will provide flowers from late spring through the fall. The early bloom may appear in the middle of summer, whereas the last flowers will show up through November. Sometimes, unpredictable weather changes affect when mums bloom.

If well-cared for, perennial mums can bloom throughout the year, while the potted varieties can resist the winter months. To preserve your mum plant, I encourage you to move your mum indoors in a cool, frost-free environment, such as a garage.

How to Make Mums Grow Back Every Year?

There are a few things you can do to help your mums grow back strong and healthy. One of the most important things is to make sure they are planted in the proper location. Mums need full sun for at least six hours a day, so make sure they are planted in an area that receives plenty of sunlight.

In addition, mums plants also need well-drained soil, so be sure to plant them in an area that does not have standing water. I also recommend adding compost to the soil before planting to provide extra nutrients and improve drainage.

Once your mums start to grow back, it is important to keep them healthy throughout the growing season.

One of the best ways to keep mums healthy throughout the growing season is by providing them with plenty of water. Mums need about an inch of water per week through rainfall or manual watering.
It is also a good idea to fertilize your plants every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer to provide your mum plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.
In the fall, your mums will start to prepare for winter by storing nutrients in their roots, which is why it is important to avoid cutting back your mums in the fall, as this can disrupt the nutrient storage process.
Instead, wait until the spring to cut back your mums to about 6 inches from the ground, which will encourage new growth and ensure your plants return even stronger the following year.
Keep your mum plants moist, well-fertilized, and adequately spaced, and avoid stressing the young plants during their first 4 to 5 weeks of growth.
Give garden mums hard pinches instead of soft pinches. Removing at least ½” of new growth when pinching is recommended, which will help minimize premature budding (Source: University of Massachusetts Amherst)

Wrapping Up

Mums are beautiful and popular fall flowers that can thrive in your garden year after year. I believe that by understanding when mums start to grow back and how to care for them throughout the growing season, you can ensure that your plants come back strong and healthy each year.

Also, by knowing the different types of mums, the factors affecting their growth, and the best time to start caring for them, you can ensure beautiful blooms for years to come.

Always remember to plant your mums in a sunny location with well-drained soil, provide them with plenty of water and fertilizer throughout the growing season, and avoid cutting them back in the fall to ensure that they come back even stronger the following year.

I also believe that with a little care and attention, your mums can be a source of beauty and joy for years to come.

When do Mums Start to Grow Back: Everything You Need to Know!