
Planting Indoor Gift Mums in the Garden
I received a mum as a holiday gift. How can I keep it growing until it is warm enough to plant it outside in my garden?
First you need to decide if it is worth the effort. Mums set flowers based on day length. The varieties of mums used for gift plants are not as hardy as most of the "garden mums" but typically set their flowers when the days are short and the nights are long. Under natural circumstances the plants won't start blooming until late fall (short days) when the snow begins to fly. You can grow your mum indoors like a houseplant. Remove the faded flowers, move it to a sunny window, and water the soil thoroughly whenever it starts to dry. Move the mum outdoors when the danger of frost has passed. Pinch the plant back to 4 to 6 inches throughout June to keep it tidy and compact. In fall you can try bringing your mum back indoors to see if it has set flower. Otherwise enjoy the foliage and your memories in the garden.
Related
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 26, 2025
Organic Gardening Basics
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 3, 2025
Low-Maintenance Gardening
Merton, WI
Register here
May 7, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Vertical Gardening
Register here
May 10, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 11, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 15, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
May 17, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 18, 2025
Ask the Plant Doctor Q&A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 4, 2025
FREE WEBINAR:
Attracting Hummingbirds
Register here
June 8, 2025
Selecting the Right Hydrangea
for Your Landscape
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 14, 2025
Houseplants 101
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
June 20, 2025 (event 6/20-6/22)
Pollinator Celebration
Vino in the Valley
Maiden Rock, WI
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More