Mums, with their cheerful blossoms and rich colors, can brighten up any space. But should they be grown indoors or outdoors? In this insightful blog post, we’ll reveal the ideal environment for these delightful plants and share expert tips for nurturing them.
As you delve into the captivating world of mums, you may also be interested in discovering other versatile plants like succulents or the indoor-outdoor debate surrounding poinsettias.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Mums are versatile plants that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. |
| Mums prefer well-draining soil and at least 6 hours of full sun each day. |
| Plant mums in the spring or fall for the best results. |
| Regular watering, deadheading, and fertilization can help keep mums blooming for longer. |
| Container gardening is a great option for growing mums, especially if you have limited outdoor space. |
Continue reading to enhance your gardening skills and create a vibrant display of plants in your home or garden.
Are Mums Indoor Or Outdoor Plants?
Mums are versatile plants that can be enjoyed indoors and out, depending on your preference. If you want to grow them in the garden or in containers, mums will do well outdoors for many months of the year.
You can also grow them inside your home as houseplants during winter months or whenever you want to enjoy their beauty without needing to worry about their survival outside of a container.
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What Kind Of Flower Is A Mum?
All mums are flowers, but not all flowers are mums. Mums come in many shapes and sizes, and each species is unique in its own way.
Mum plants can be found all around the world, from Antarctica to Australia to Africa and Europe. They range from being small shrubs to tall trees that take up large chunks of land; some even grow underwater!
Their petals are usually bright orange or pink, but they also come in white or yellow shades as well.
Are Mums Hardy Flowers?
Mums are hardy plants, so they’re perfect for most climates. You can grow them in damp soil or dry soil and still expect success. In fact, mums even thrive when planted in poor soils that other flowers struggle to survive in.
They generally like lots of sun, but will also do well with partial shade during the summer months if you live somewhere that gets a lot of direct sunlight during this time period (like Arizona).
Are Mums Good Houseplants For My Home?
Mums are one of the best houseplants you can have in your home. They’re easy to grow, they don’t need much care and they look great anywhere.
They also attract bees and butterflies to your home so they’re great for pollination too!
The key thing about mums is that they need a lot of light, so make sure you give them plenty of sunlight through your windows or by placing them near a window where there is direct sunlight on most days during the day.
If you can’t give them full sun all day then be sure to place them next to another plant with similar light requirements (like another mum) so they can share some sun rays with each other while still getting enough light exposure themselves.
Mums like humid conditions so try misting them every couple days if possible as well as watering thoroughly once every two weeks or so depending on how hot/dry it gets where you live; but don’t overdo it because too much water will cause root rot which could kill off your mum plant!
“Looking for beautiful outdoor plants to add to your garden? Begonias are a great choice, but they require certain conditions to thrive. Our guide on whether begonias are outdoor plants can help you create the perfect environment for these stunning flowers.” – Are Begonias Outdoor Plants: Garden Advice
Are Mums Good Plants To Have In A Pot?
Mums are good plants to have in pots. To ensure that they do well, however, the pot must be large enough to hold their root system.
The best size is a wide container at least 12 inches (30cm) deep and 18 inches (50cm) wide. This gives plenty of room for roots to grow down deep into the soil before getting too cramped by the sides of the pot.
Another important thing about choosing a proper pot for your mum is its depth – mums need lots of space near the surface where they can absorb sunlight, so choose an appropriately sized container with plenty of headspace from top to bottom.
How Do I Grow My Mum From Seed?
If you want to grow your own mums, here’s how:
Sow seeds in spring in flats or pots of soil-based compost. Cover the seeds with fine grit or sieved compost and keep them moist by standing the containers in trays of water.
When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on for at least 2 years (mums take a long time to mature).
To ensure that they flower well, move them into a cool greenhouse or cold frame as soon as flowers start to appear in autumn this will ensure good flowering the following year when plants are moved outside once again after winter has passed.
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How Do I Propagate Mums In My Garden?
To propagate your mum plant, you can use one of three methods: division, cuttings or seeds. Division is best done in early spring.
Cuttings should be taken in late summer or early autumn and sown into seed compost or soil immediately after cutting, otherwise they will dry out quickly.
Seeds should be sown outdoors in late summer or early autumn but only when the temperature has dropped below 20°C (68°F).
When Should I Plant Out My Mum Roots Into The Ground?
Planting out your mum roots into the ground is something you can do at any time of year, but it’s best to wait until spring or autumn.
This is because they like sunny spots and will enjoy warmer temperatures, so it’s best not to plant them in winter when everything’s dormant.
The soil should be well-drained so that excess water doesn’t sit around the base of your plant and cause them to rot over time.
If you don’t have a garden but want to grow mums indoors as houseplants, then a good thing would be to pot them up in large containers using a well-drained soil mixture (try 40% compost and 60% sifted loam).
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Can You Grow Mums From Cuttings Or Divisions Of The Plant?
It is possible to grow mums from cuttings or divisions of the plant, but it is not easy. You need to use a sharp knife, and you must ensure that you do not damage the roots when taking your cuttings.
You should also keep in mind that if you decide to propagate your mum using this method, it will take longer for the new plants to grow than they would if they were propagated by seed or seedlings.
Mum cuttings should be taken from vigorous, healthy plants in mid-spring through early summer (March until June).
It is best if these can be kept indoors until after the last frost date for your area so that they have time for their roots to develop before being planted outside in late spring or early summer.
Can You Grow Mums From Seeds Or Bulbs In Your Garden?
Mums are another hardy type of flower that you can grow in your garden. There are two ways to get mums, either by seeds or by bulbs.
Seeds are much more common, but it takes longer for them to grow and reproduce. Bulbs are much more expensive and take a lot longer to develop into flowers than seeds do.
However, bulbs are still a good option if you want an easy way to start growing mums in your garden and don’t have time for waiting!
“Succulents are a popular choice for indoor gardens, but did you know they can also thrive outdoors? Our guide on whether succulents are indoor or outdoor plants can help you decide where to place your favorite succulents for optimal growth.” – Are Succulents Indoor or Outdoor Plants: Garden Advice
What Is The Best Way To Water My Mum Plant During The Summer Months?
Mum plants need to be kept moist, but not soggy. The best way to water mum plants is to do so regularly and not in large amounts.
Mums should also be watered early in the morning as this will help reduce the chance of fungal diseases developing on your mum’s leaves.
In addition, if you are growing mums from seeds or seedlings outside then make sure that you provide them with plenty of shade until they become established and start producing flowers.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you learn more about the different types of mum plants, how they work and what they need.
Further Reading
Mums the Word: Helping These Fall Blooms Thrive: This article from HGTV provides tips and tricks for growing and caring for fall-blooming mums in your garden.
Are Mums Indoor or Outdoor Plants?: Plants Heaven answers common questions about mums, including whether they are indoor or outdoor plants, and provides helpful tips for their care.
FAQs
Can mums be grown indoors?
Mums can be grown indoors, but they typically do best when planted outdoors in a garden or container.
What is the best time of year to plant mums?
Mums should be planted in the spring or fall. Planting in the fall will allow them to bloom during the fall season.
How much sun do mums need?
Mums need at least 6 hours of full sun each day to bloom properly.
How often should I water my mums?
Mums should be watered regularly, but not overwatered. They prefer well-draining soil and should be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry.
How do I keep my mums blooming for longer?
To keep mums blooming for longer, deadhead the spent blooms and provide them with plenty of water and fertilizer.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.