Arkansas fall mums are beautiful, but keeping them alive past the first week can feel like a challenge. I’ve tried so many tricks just to keep mine from turning into crunchy little disasters.
Thankfully, the right habits make a huge difference. With the right care, those blooms can actually stick around and stay gorgeous.
1. Water Deeply But Not Too Often
Mums need consistent moisture to stay healthy throughout the season. Check the soil daily by sticking your finger about an inch deep to see if it feels dry.
When you water, make sure to soak the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Arkansas gardeners should water early in the morning so leaves can dry before nightfall, which prevents disease.
Avoid getting the foliage wet since damp leaves can lead to problems that cause browning and wilting in your beautiful fall plants.
2. Pick the Perfect Planting Spot
Location matters more than you might think when it comes to keeping mums looking their best. Your plants need at least six hours of sunlight each day to thrive and maintain their color.
In Arkansas, finding a spot with morning sun and some afternoon shade works wonderfully during warmer fall days. Too much intense heat can stress the plants and cause leaves to turn crispy.
Proper air circulation around your mums also helps prevent moisture buildup that leads to disease and browning foliage problems.
3. Deadhead Spent Blooms Regularly
Removing faded flowers might seem like extra work, but it actually keeps your mums blooming longer. Pinch off brown or wilted blooms right where they meet the stem using your fingers or small scissors.
This simple task encourages the plant to produce more flowers instead of putting energy into making seeds. Arkansas gardeners who deadhead their mums weekly notice their plants stay fuller and more colorful.
Plus, removing dead material improves air flow around the plant, reducing the chance of fungal issues that cause crispy leaves.
4. Add Mulch to Retain Moisture
A layer of mulch around your mums acts like a protective blanket for the roots. Spread two to three inches of organic mulch such as shredded bark or wood chips around the base of each plant.
This helps the soil stay moist longer between waterings, which is especially helpful during Arkansas’s unpredictable fall weather. Mulch also regulates soil temperature and prevents rapid drying that stresses plants.
Just keep the mulch a few inches away from the stems to avoid trapping too much moisture right against the plant itself.
5. Feed with Balanced Fertilizer
Giving your mums proper nutrition helps them stay strong and resist stress that causes browning. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the blooming season.
Look for a formula with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to support both flowers and foliage. Many Arkansas gardeners prefer organic options that feed plants gently without causing chemical buildup.
Avoid over-fertilizing, which can actually damage roots and lead to burned, crispy leaves that ruin the appearance of your beautiful fall display.
6. Protect from Extreme Temperature Swings
Arkansas fall weather can be unpredictable, with warm days followed by surprisingly cold nights. Sudden temperature changes stress mums and cause leaves to become damaged and crispy.
When frost is predicted, cover your plants with lightweight fabric or old bedsheets in the evening. Remove the covering in the morning once temperatures rise so plants can get sunlight.
Container mums can be moved to protected areas like covered porches during cold snaps, giving them extra insurance against weather damage throughout the season.
7. Ensure Proper Drainage Always
Standing water around mum roots is one of the fastest ways to kill these plants. Whether in containers or garden beds, mums must have soil that drains well after watering.
For potted plants, make sure containers have several drainage holes at the bottom. Arkansas clay soil can be improved by mixing in compost or perlite to help water move through more easily.
Waterlogged roots cannot absorb oxygen properly, leading to root rot that causes leaves to turn yellow, brown, and crispy before the plant eventually dies.
8. Monitor for Pests and Disease
Keeping a close eye on your mums helps you catch problems before they get serious. Spider mites, aphids, and leaf spot diseases can all cause foliage to turn brown and crispy.
Check the undersides of leaves weekly for tiny insects or discolored spots that signal trouble. Arkansas’s humid conditions can encourage fungal issues, so watch for any unusual leaf changes.
Treat problems early with insecticidal soap or neem oil for pests, and remove affected leaves promptly to prevent spread to healthy parts of the plant.
9. Choose Hardy Varieties for Arkansas
Not all mums are created equal when it comes to surviving Arkansas’s fall season. Garden mums bred for hardiness handle temperature fluctuations much better than decorative varieties sold only for temporary display.
Look for labels that say perennial or hardy when shopping at local nurseries. These varieties have stronger root systems and tougher foliage that resists damage.
Starting with the right type of mum makes all your other care efforts more successful, giving you gorgeous flowers that stay fresh-looking from September through November without turning crispy.