Fall mums are everywhere in New Jersey, but picking the wrong ones can leave you with wilted blooms before Halloween. Some choices look great in the store but fizzle out fast once planted.
Knowing what to look for makes all the difference in keeping them vibrant. With a few smart tips, your mums will steal the show all season.
1. Buying Mums Too Early in the Season
Many New Jersey gardeners get excited and purchase mums in late summer when stores first stock them. Unfortunately, buying too early means your plants may bloom and fade before fall even arrives.
Waiting until mid-September gives you flowers that will last through October and even into November. Garden centers across New Jersey typically restock throughout autumn, so you’ll have plenty of options if you’re patient and strategic about timing your purchase.
2. Ignoring the Plant’s Root System
A common oversight is failing to check whether mums are root-bound before buying them. Plants with roots circling tightly around the pot struggle to establish themselves once planted in your New Jersey soil.
Gently remove the plant from its container and examine the roots. Healthy mums should have white or light-colored roots that aren’t overly tangled. If the roots look dark, mushy, or completely wrapped around the pot’s shape, choose a different plant for better long-term success.
3. Choosing Mums Based Only on Flower Color
It’s tempting to grab the prettiest blooms without considering the plant’s overall health. However, focusing solely on flower color often leads to selecting weak or stressed plants that won’t perform well in New Jersey gardens.
Look beyond the blossoms and examine the foliage carefully. Strong, dark green leaves without brown spots or yellowing indicate a healthy plant. The stems should feel firm, and there should be plenty of unopened buds promising more blooms to come throughout the season.
4. Picking Plants Already in Full Bloom
Grabbing the showiest, fully-bloomed mums seems logical, but you’re actually shortening your enjoyment period. Plants covered entirely in open flowers have already used much of their energy and will fade quickly after you bring them home.
Instead, select mums with mostly tight buds and just a few open flowers. Those buds will gradually open over several weeks in your New Jersey yard, giving you a longer display. You’ll get way more value and beauty from plants that are just beginning their bloom cycle.
5. Not Considering Cold Hardiness
Some gardeners assume all mums can survive New Jersey winters, but that’s not true. Many mums sold in fall are treated as annuals and won’t return next spring, even with proper care.
If you want perennial mums that come back year after year, ask specifically for hardy garden varieties rather than florist types. Plant them at least six weeks before your area’s first frost date, which varies across New Jersey. This gives roots time to establish before winter arrives, improving survival chances dramatically.
6. Overlooking Proper Spacing Requirements
Cramming too many mums together might create instant impact, but it causes problems down the road. Overcrowded plants compete for nutrients, water, and sunlight, leading to weaker growth and increased disease risk in New Jersey’s humid autumn weather.
Give each mum at least 18 to 24 inches of space from neighboring plants. Proper spacing allows air circulation, which helps prevent fungal issues and mildew. Your mums will grow fuller and healthier with room to spread their branches naturally throughout the season.
7. Forgetting to Check for Pests and Disease
Bringing home mums without inspecting them for problems can introduce pests and diseases to your entire New Jersey garden. Aphids, spider mites, and fungal spots are common issues that spread quickly to other plants.
Before purchasing, flip leaves over and check undersides for tiny insects or webbing. Look for discolored patches, holes, or sticky residue on foliage. A quick inspection takes only seconds but can save you from weeks of frustration dealing with infestations that damage your landscape.
8. Selecting the Wrong Container Size
Bigger isn’t always better when choosing potted mums for your New Jersey porch or patio. Oversized containers dry out slower and can lead to root rot, while tiny pots require constant watering and topple easily in wind.
Match your mum size to an appropriately-sized container with drainage holes. A 10-inch pot works well for standard nursery mums. If planting multiple mums together, ensure the container is large enough to accommodate their mature size without becoming overcrowded or unstable during autumn storms.