Indoor Mums: Why They Need Outdoor Planting

Potted Mums Indoors: Temporary Enjoyment Only

A 4-inch potted mum kept indoors - should it be repotted or moved outside?

Hard Truth: Mums Are Perennials, Not Houseplants

Must be planted in ground outdoors. Indoor culture fails because:

• Need winter dormancy (cold period) to rebloom
• Pot roots freeze and die if left outside in container
• Indoors without dormancy = gradual decline and death
• In ground: return yearly with proper care

If You Must Keep Temporarily

• Bright light, cool temperatures (50-60°F ideal)
• Water when surface dry
• Don't fertilize
• Plant outdoors at earliest opportunity

Best Practice

Enjoy blooms indoors briefly, then plant in garden with mulch protection. They'll establish roots before winter and return stronger next season.