Florist Chrysanthemum Care: Air-Purifying Blooms for Cool Rooms

Botanical Name: Chrysanthemum morifolium

Florist Chrysanthemum has big, beautiful flowers crowning a mass of dark-green foliage. A member of the Asteraceae family (with daisies, sunflowers, marigolds).

Most florist mums have daisy-type flowers, but anemone, pompon, and spider varieties are also available.

Green Thumb Tip

The secret to keeping blossoms fresh for weeks: keep mums in a cool place and well-watered.

Florist mums aren't hardy for outdoor growing in cold climates—this tender variety is sold in florist shops.

Give your plant a cool, bright location for 6–8 weeks of blooms.

Unfortunately, reblooming is difficult, so it's treated as an annual and discarded after flowering. You can put it outdoors in spring for another season, but it won't look as good.

Though temporary, these beautiful mums work hard removing indoor air pollutants from upholstery, paint, and carpet chemicals. Florist mums are among the best flowering plants for purifying formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia. Learn more about air-cleaning house plants.

CAUTION: Chrysanthemum leaves are poisonous. Keep away from children and pets.

Florist Chrysanthemum Care Quick Reference

Origin: China

Height: 12–24 in (30–60 cm)

Light: Bright light

Water: Keep soil evenly moist at all times. Foliage wilts if roots dry out.

Humidity: Average room humidity

Temperature: Cool, 55–65°F (13–18°C). Flowers won't last as long in warm rooms.

Soil: Peat moss-based potting mix

Fertilizer: N/A

Propagation: Stem cuttings