A Comprehensive Guide to Mums in East Texas
You may have noticed something lately: mums are already showing up.
They’re outside grocery stores, big-box stores and garden centers, covered in beautiful yellow, orange, red, purple and white blooms.
They look like fall.
There’s just one problem.
East Texas may not feel like fall yet.
Buying mums too early, while our September temperatures are still hanging onto summer, can mean spending good money on a beautiful plant only to watch its flowers fade much faster than you expected.
So, when should you buy mums in East Texas?
The answer has more to do with the thermometer than the calendar.
Mums Like Fall Weather, Not Just a Fall Date
Chrysanthemums perform best in moderate temperatures. Texas gardening recommendations generally put their sweet spot somewhere around the 60s and 70s, with daytime temperatures around 75°F or below being much friendlier to those fall blooms than the heat of late summer.
That can present a challenge here in Tyler and East Texas.
September may officially be the beginning of fall, but Mother Nature doesn’t always get the memo.
A mum sitting in afternoon temperatures approaching 90°F is going to experience a very different “fall” than one enjoying days in the 70s and cooler nights.
That doesn’t mean you absolutely cannot buy mums while it’s still warm. It means you need to understand the tradeoff.
The warmer it is, the faster your mum is likely to move through its bloom cycle.
If your goal is a mum that looks beautiful for as much of the fall as possible, patience can pay off.
So, When Is the Best Time to Buy Mums in East Texas?
Watch the forecast, not just the calendar.
Once our daytime temperatures begin consistently moderating, mums are much happier. Temperatures in the 70s are excellent mum weather, and cooler nights can help extend the life of the flowers.
If we’re still seeing repeated 90-degree afternoons, those beautiful mums you see for sale may need extra attention and protection from the heat.
There is another reason not to wait too long, though: selection.
The best colors, sizes and healthiest plants can sell quickly once fall weather arrives.
The trick is finding that sweet spot between buying early enough to get the mums you want and late enough to actually enjoy them.
And if you’re unsure?
Ask Brenda.
That’s exactly what we’re here for.
Don’t Buy the Mum With the Most Flowers
This sounds backward, but one of the best-looking mums at the garden center may not be the mum that looks best at your house two weeks from now.
If you want longevity, look at the buds.
A plant covered with colorful, fully opened flowers gives you instant gratification, but it’s already well into its bloom cycle.
Instead, look for a healthy, compact mum with lots of buds and only some flowers beginning to open. Those unopened buds represent the color you’ll get to enjoy later.
Think of it this way:
Buying a fully blooming mum is buying today’s show. Buying a budding mum is buying the next several weeks.
Also look for healthy green foliage, a compact shape and a plant that isn’t wilted or stressed.
East Texas Heat Is the Enemy of Long-Lasting Blooms
Mums can handle sunshine, but an East Texas afternoon in September is not the same thing as a pleasant fall afternoon farther north.
When temperatures climb toward 90°F, give container mums some relief from intense afternoon sun.
Morning sun with some afternoon protection can be a great compromise during warmer weather.
Once temperatures cool, mums can enjoy more sun. In the landscape, mums generally perform well with plenty of sunlight as long as they have adequate water and good drainage.
The important thing is to pay attention to the plant and the weather.
A mum doesn’t know it’s September. It only knows it’s hot.
Watering Mums: This Is Where Many People Lose Them
If there is one thing to watch closely with mums, it’s water.
Those big, beautiful plants have a lot of foliage, buds and flowers supported by a relatively small amount of soil. A nursery container can dry out surprisingly quickly, especially on a warm, breezy East Texas day.
Check the soil regularly with your finger.
If the top of the soil feels dry, it’s time to water.
Water thoroughly so the entire root ball gets moisture, and make sure excess water can drain from the bottom of the container.
Don’t Let Them Completely Dry Out
A badly wilted mum may recover after watering, but repeated wilting stresses the plant and can dramatically shorten the life of its blooms.
During hot weather, container mums may need to be checked every day.
Don’t Leave Them Sitting in Water
Mums want consistent moisture, not soggy roots.
If your decorative container doesn’t drain, remove the mum to water it and allow it to drain thoroughly before putting it back.
Good drainage is just as important as giving the plant enough water.
Helpful Hint: Water the Soil, Not the Blooms
When watering your mums, water at the soil level, either in the pot or at the base of the plant. Try to keep the buds and flowers dry.
Mum blooms are extremely compact, with petals held tightly together. When those flowers get wet, moisture can become trapped between the petals instead of drying quickly.
That trapped moisture can cause blooms to brown prematurely and may encourage fungal problems, especially in our warm, humid East Texas weather.
A watering wand or hose directed gently at the base of the plant makes this easy. Give the roots a good, thorough drink while keeping the flowers as dry as possible.
Ask Brenda Tip: Pretty flowers don’t need a shower. Water the roots and keep those blooms dry!
Should You Repot Your Mum?
Take a look at the container.
Mums sold for fall color are often growing vigorously and may already have a dense root system by the time you purchase them.
If the plant dries out incredibly fast or appears rootbound, moving it into a slightly larger container with quality, well-draining potting soil can make caring for it easier.
More soil volume means more room for roots and a larger reservoir for moisture.
Just make sure the new container has drainage holes.
Deadheading Helps Keep Mums Looking Their Best
As individual flowers begin to brown and fade, remove them.
Deadheading keeps the plant looking cleaner and directs its resources toward the healthy flowers and buds that remain.
Don’t wait until the entire plant looks tired. A few minutes of maintenance every few days can keep a mum looking dramatically better throughout the season.
How Long Should Mums Last?
There isn’t one answer.
Temperature, the maturity of the plant when you purchase it, watering, sunlight and the variety itself all affect bloom time.
A mum purchased completely covered in open flowers during a hot spell may have a relatively short peak display.
A healthy mum purchased with lots of unopened buds and cared for during cooler weather can provide color for considerably longer.
That’s why when you buy the plant can matter almost as much as how you care for it.
If your goal is long-lasting fall color, don’t automatically grab the first fully blooming mum you see in late summer.
Can You Plant Mums in the Ground?
Yes, but it’s helpful to know what kind of mum you’re buying and what you expect from it.
Some mums are primarily grown to provide spectacular seasonal color. Other garden mums can be grown as perennials and may return.
For mums planted in the landscape, choose a location with good drainage. East Texas soils can vary considerably, and mums don’t appreciate roots sitting in water.
If you’re hoping to keep your mums beyond one season, ask us before planting. We can help you select the right type and find the right location.
The Dreams of Green Mum Checklist
When you’re shopping for mums this fall, remember:
- Watch the temperature as much as the calendar.
- Days in the 60s and 70s are much friendlier to mums than East Texas heat.
- If temperatures are near 90°F, protect container mums from intense afternoon heat.
- Choose healthy plants with lots of unopened buds for a longer display.
- Check container mums frequently for water.
- Don’t allow the root ball to completely dry out.
- Water thoroughly, but provide good drainage.
- Water at the soil level and keep buds and flowers as dry as possible.
- Deadhead faded blooms.
- Consider repotting a rootbound mum into a slightly larger container.
- Ask whether you’re buying seasonal color or a mum you hope to establish in the landscape.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Rush Fall
We understand the temptation.
The first mums arrive, pumpkins start appearing, football is back and suddenly you’re ready for fall.
But here in East Texas, the calendar can say fall several weeks before the thermometer agrees.
You can certainly bring mums home early. Just remember that heat can shorten their show and increase their watering needs.
If your goal is to get the most color and longest life from your mums, let the weather help determine when you buy.
Not sure whether it’s time? Not sure which mum to choose? Have a question about keeping the ones you already have looking their best?
Ask Brenda.
At Dreams of Green Garden Center, we’d rather help you choose the right plant at the right time and know how to care for it once you get it home.
That’s what a local garden center is for.