Fall in Kansas means cooler weather, football games, and colorful mums decorating porches across the state. These cheerful flowers are a seasonal staple, but buying them isn’t always as simple as grabbing the prettiest pot.
Making the wrong choices can lead to wilted blooms, wasted money, and a less-than-stunning autumn display.
1. Buying Too Early In The Season
Kansas summers can stretch well into September, and purchasing mums too early means dealing with scorching heat that stresses young plants. Early-season mums require constant watering and may bloom prematurely, leaving you with faded flowers when fall actually arrives.
Wait until late September or early October when temperatures drop consistently below 80 degrees. Your mums will stay vibrant longer and require less intensive care during the transition period.
2. Choosing Mums Based Only On Bloom Color
Sure, that deep burgundy catches your eye immediately, but bloom type matters just as much as color. Decorative mums have flat petals, pompoms are round and fluffy, while cushion varieties spread wider than they grow tall.
Different bloom styles create distinct visual effects in your landscape. Match the bloom type to your space and design goals rather than grabbing whatever shade looks prettiest in the moment for better overall results.
3. Ignoring The Root System Health
Most shoppers never peek beneath the surface, but root health determines whether your mum thrives or barely survives. Gently tip the pot and check for white, firm roots that hold soil together without circling endlessly around the container.
Brown, mushy, or densely tangled roots signal problems that no amount of care can fix. A healthy root system means better nutrient uptake and stronger plants that withstand Kansas wind and temperature swings throughout the season.
4. Overlooking Hardiness Zones
Kansas spans zones 5b through 7a, and not all mums are created equal when it comes to surviving our winters. Garden mums are bred for cold tolerance, while florist mums are designed as temporary decorations that won’t return next year.
Check plant tags for hardiness information before purchasing if you want perennials. Garden-hardy varieties cost slightly more upfront but provide years of enjoyment versus single-season florist types that rarely survive Kansas freezes.
5. Skipping The Bud Count Inspection
Plants covered entirely in open blooms might seem like the best deal, but they’re actually nearing the end of their show. Look for mums with plenty of tight, unopened buds mixed among a few open flowers for maximum longevity.
A good ratio is about 70 percent buds to 30 percent blooms. Those buds represent weeks of future color, while fully-open plants may fade within days of purchase, especially during warm Kansas autumn afternoons.
6. Neglecting To Consider Sunlight Needs
Mums crave sunshine and won’t perform well in shady spots, yet many people place them on north-facing porches or under tree canopies. Without at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, plants grow leggy, produce fewer blooms, and become susceptible to disease.
Evaluate your intended planting location before shopping. If your space is shady, choose shade-tolerant fall plants like ornamental kale instead of forcing mums into unsuitable conditions.
7. Forgetting About Container Drainage
That gorgeous ceramic pot catches your attention, but does it have drainage holes? Mums hate wet feet, and containers without proper drainage cause root rot faster than you can say pumpkin spice.
Always check for drainage before committing to decorative pots. If you fall in love with a container lacking holes, use it as an outer sleeve around a plastic nursery pot with drainage, or drill holes yourself using a masonry bit.
8. Buying Plants With Yellow Lower Leaves
Yellow leaves near the bottom of the plant aren’t just cosmetic issues—they signal stress, disease, or nutrient deficiencies that may worsen after purchase. Healthy mums display deep green foliage from top to bottom without brown spots or yellowing sections.
Inspect plants carefully before buying, checking underneath leaves for pests or discoloration. Starting with vigorous, problem-free plants saves headaches later and ensures your Kansas fall display looks spectacular throughout the entire season.
9. Failing To Plan For Kansas Wind
Kansas winds can knock over top-heavy mum containers faster than a tumbleweed races across the prairie. Tall, narrow pots create instability, especially when paired with large, bloom-heavy plants that act like sails catching every gust.
Choose wide, heavy containers that won’t tip easily, or group multiple pots together for stability. Place containers in protected areas near walls or fences where wind impact is reduced, keeping your beautiful autumn arrangements upright and intact.