Fun Facts About Chrysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum flower is one of the most popular flowers in the world, next only to the Rose.

The name “chrysanthemum” comes from two Greek words; “chrysos,” which means “gold,” and “anthemon” for flower.

Although gold is a common, popular color for mums, it’s far from your only option. There are thousands of varieties, and mums can be yellow, red, orange, white, pink, and purple.

You can also find plenty of different flower forms; while button mums are one of the most common, you can find anemone, quilled, spider, spoon, and pompon varieties.

These flowers were original from the tropics of East Asia and have grown in popularity due to their beauty and abilities.

Chrysanthemum tea is a popular drink brewed with the flowers from the plant. It’s especially popular in China, and is made with the dried flower heads.

The tea is a very popular relaxant. It is also commonly taken to help relieve head congestion and strengthen the lungs.

The leaves are also edible, and can be added to salads or cooked like other greens.

Planting Requirements For Chrysanthemum

Light: Chrysanthemums are sun-loving plants. Although they technically require only 6 hours of sunlight each day, the more light they receive, the better their growth, bloom and hardiness. Slight shade in hot, summer afternoons is appropriate in warmer gardening zones to prevent scorching.

Soil: These flowers can survive in most soils, but they thrive in well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Growing mums in hard, dry soil prevents the roots from becoming well established, while wet, boggy soil drowns the roots.

Spacing: Set them 18 to 36 inches apart, depending on their expected size at maturity. Mums need good air circulation.

Planting Time: If you're using a mum as a perennial, plant in early spring, or in the fall at least six weeks before the first killing frost. If you're using chrysanthemums for a pop of fall color to boost your late season garden, plant them when they're blooming in later summer or early fall and treat them as annuals.

Zones: 5 to 9, but some hardy varieties can survive in as cold of temperatures as zone 3 provides.

Time of Bloom: Chrysanthemums can start flowering in late July and go all the way through late fall.