The Best Time to Plant Mums in Containers for Endless Fall Color These fall beauties love cooler weather. In This Article View All In This Article Timing Choosing a Container How to Plant Care Close Credit: Olena Lialina / Getty Images Chrysanthemums are one of the most popular flowers of fall, bringing beautiful color and charm to porches, patios, and balconies. While these plants are easy to grow, the timing of when you plant them in containers plays a big role in how long their blooms last. Planting too early can cause them to wilt in hot weather, while planting too late can cause damage from hard frosts. To help you get it right, we asked gardening experts about the best time to plant mums in containers. Here's what they said. Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass Cindy Ollig, owner and designer at The Perfect Petal Chris Ramos, gardening expert at Blain's Farm & Fleet When to Plant Mums in Containers The best time to plant mums in containers is in mid-to-late September. "If you want the most out of your mums, wait until there is a little chill in the air," says Laura Janney, CEO of The Inspired Garden Masterclass. "Mums will bloom much faster and fade the warmer it is." A great benefit of mums is that different varieties flower at different times. "There’s early fall, mid-fall, and late fall, which means you can plant two or three rounds for continuous color," Janney explains. To get the most bang for your buck, she says to look for mums that are just 'cracked,' or just starting to open up their blooms, which provide about six weeks of color. "But if you’re planting in a shaded spot, opt for mums that are already in full bloom," she adds. How to Choose the Best Container Credit: SondraP / Getty Images When choosing a container for your mums, the most important thing to look for is good drainage. "I can’t tell you how many times I see a cute planter but no holes," Janney warns. She also says to consider the size and weight of a container. Her rule of thumb is to choose a container that is 1 to 2 inches bigger than the base of the plant. She also recommends using containers that are lightweight enough to be moved. "There are now many faux materials, like fiber cement, that are made to look like stone but are very lightweight," she says. For an elevated look, Cindy Ollig, owner and designer at The Perfect Petal, prefers to display mums in antique amphora pots, which are used to store olive oil and wine in Europe. "You can often find them hanging around European antique importers," Ollig says. "But if this isn’t in your budget, tall terra cotta column pots or urns are perfect for that pop of fall color." For a classic or traditional look, put one mum in each container. But Janney notes that you can also mix in grasses, pansies, cabbage, and other fall plants for a more elevated style. How to Plant Mums in Containers Planting mums in containers is relatively straightforward. Select a container with drainage holes that is slightly wider than the plant’s base. Fill the container with potting soil amended with compost or other organic material. Gently remove the plant from its nursery pot, which is the plastic container that comes with the plant. Massage the rootball and remove any circling roots. Place the plant in the new pot, backfill with soil, and water deeply. How to Care for Mums in Containers Credit: Getty Images Mums thrive in containers, as long as they receive adequate sunlight, soil, and moisture. To extend their bloom time, these are some of the factors our experts say to keep in mind. Soil Mums thrive in containers filled with potting soil amended with organic matter to improve drainage. "Organic matter, such as compost, guano, peat moss, or leaf mold, keeps the nutrients in the pot as they get naturally washed out by watering," says Ollig. "A potting mix with perlite included to help with hydration works well, and finding a mix from a true nursery will usually be a better blend than in a big box garden center." Add topsoil or loam to lock in nutrients and moisture. Water Many variables affect how often to water your container of mums. "Does your container get rain, or is it under an overhang, like on a porch?" Janney asks. "Are there unusually warm days? As a guideline, stick your finger in the pot. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, water it. Keep in mind, these plants do soak up a lot of water." On average, this equals about an inch of water each week, says Chris Ramos, gardening expert at Blain's Farm & Fleet, but spread it out over a few waterings. "Always water at the base of the plant instead of over the blooms, since wet flowers won’t last as long," he says. Don't Miss 7 Plants You Should Always Grow Next to Mums, According to Gardening Experts How to Plant and Care for Mums—and Keep These Showstoppers Blooming All Autumn Long Sunlight Ollig's favorite spot for mums is in an area that receives dappled, partial sunlight. If you don't have an area that meets this requirement, she recommends placing mums somewhere with full sun and using a piece of lawn furniture or another taller container to block some of the harsher rays. "This will allow for fewer waterings and less stress on the blooms," she says. No matter where you display them, Ramos suggests aiming for four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. "If the weather gets hotter than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, move them into partial shade," he says. Deadheading When a bloom is spent, Janney recommends simply cutting off the dead flower. “This will encourage more blooms and neaten up its appearance," she says. Fertilizing The grower will have already fertilized the mums you purchase for the season, so there is no need to add more. "Just focus on good soil, steady watering, and plenty of sunlight," Ramos says Explore more: Garden