Chrysanthemum in Zone 8B — Texas

Chrysanthemums, or mums, bring a burst of color to your Texas garden, especially when other blooms are fading. Their vibrant flowers make excellent cut flowers, brightening up your home, and they're surprisingly easy to grow here in Zone 8B with our long growing season.

Sure, we have our share of challenges – the Texas heat can be brutal, and the rainfall is never predictable. But with a little planning and attention to timing, you can enjoy beautiful mums in your garden. Our 273-day growing season gives you plenty of opportunity.

Starting Chrysanthemum seeds indoors can give you a head start, but honestly, it's often easier to buy established plants. However, if you're feeling ambitious, start your seeds late December through mid January, about eight weeks before you plan to transplant them outside.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix. Keep them warm (around 70°F) and provide plenty of light – a grow light works best. Don't forget to bottom water your seedlings to avoid damping off; set the tray in a shallow pan of water and let the soil soak it up from the bottom. Given our early springs, starting indoors gives you some control over the initial growing environment.

Transplant your Chrysanthemums outdoors late February through late March. Before you do, harden them off by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. This helps them adjust to the Texas weather.

Space them 12-18 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the forecast; we can still get some unpredictable freezes that time of year, so be ready to cover your young plants if needed. Many folks find it easier to buy potted mums in the fall or starts in the spring from local nurseries.

Watering is key, especially with our unpredictable Texas rainfall. Mums need consistent moisture, but they don't like soggy soil. The "finger test" is your friend: stick your finger about two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Aim for about an inch of water per week, but adjust based on the weather. In the heat of summer, you might need to water more often. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal problems, especially with our variable humidity.

Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves and dry, crispy edges. Overwatering can cause yellowing leaves and root rot. A good layer of mulch, like shredded hardwood, helps retain moisture and keeps the soil cooler during the brutal Texas heat.

Pruning Chrysanthemums is simple but important. Pinch the growing tips every 2-3 weeks through July 4th. This encourages the plant to branch out, giving you a bushier plant with more flowers.

After July 4th, stop pinching. This allows the flower buds to form for fall blooming. As the first frost approaches in late November, you can cut back the plant to a few inches above the ground to prepare it for winter.

Your Chrysanthemums will typically start blooming early May through late June, depending on the variety. These are fall-blooming plants, so you'll get a great show as the weather cools. The flowers last for weeks in the garden, providing beautiful color.

Cut the flowers for bouquets when they are fully open. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Cut the stems at an angle to encourage water uptake. Regular harvesting encourages the plant to produce more blooms.

As the first frost approaches in late November, you can bring potted mums indoors to extend their bloom time. Otherwise, cut back the plants and let them rest for the winter.

Here are some common problems you might encounter with Chrysanthemums in Texas:

Aphids *What it looks like:* Clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects (green, black, or white) on stems and leaf undersides. Sticky honeydew residue. Curled or distorted new growth. *What causes it:* Rapid-reproducing sap-sucking insects. Populations explode in warm weather. Ant colonies may farm them for honeydew. Those fire ants will help them! *How to fix/prevent it:* Strong water spray knocks them off. Encourage ladybugs and lacewings (natural predators). Insecticidal soap for heavy infestations. Neem oil works systemically. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer (it attracts them).

Spider Mites *What it looks like:* Fine stippling on leaves (tiny white dots). Fine webbing on leaf undersides and between stems. Leaves turn bronze or yellow. *What causes it:* Tiny arachnids that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Populations explode in drought stress. *How to fix/prevent it:* Strong water spray (daily for a week) is the best treatment. Increase humidity around plants. Neem oil or insecticidal soap. Release predatory mites (Phytoseiulus persimilis). Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides that kill predators.

Leaf Miners *What it looks like:* Pale, winding trails or blotches within leaves. You can see the larvae inside the tunnels if you hold the leaf up to the light. *What causes it:* Larvae of small flies that tunnel between the upper and lower leaf surfaces. *How to fix/prevent it:* Remove and destroy infested leaves. Cover plants with floating row covers to prevent flies from laying eggs. Neem oil can help deter them. Systemic insecticides are effective but can harm beneficial insects.

Rust *What it looks like:* Rusty orange, yellow, or brown pustules on leaves and stems, mostly on undersides. Leaves yellow and drop prematurely. *What causes it:* Various rust fungi that spread via wind-borne spores. Favored by warm, humid conditions with moisture on leaves. *How to fix/prevent it:* Remove affected leaves. Avoid overhead watering. Improve air circulation. Apply sulfur or copper fungicide. Don't work among wet plants. Rotate crops.

Texas Specific Challenges: The hot-to-extreme heat and variable humidity of Texas can exacerbate these problems. Spider mites thrive in the heat, and rust can spread quickly in humid conditions. Regular monitoring and proactive measures are key to keeping your Chrysanthemums healthy.

Chrysanthemums make great companions for several vegetables in your Texas garden. Planting them near tomatoes and peppers can help deter certain pests, like aphids, that might otherwise attack your veggies. Plus, the mums attract beneficial insects like ladybugs, which are natural predators of aphids.

Lettuce also benefits from being planted near Chrysanthemums. The mums can provide some shade during the hottest part of the day, preventing the lettuce from bolting in the Texas heat. Avoid planting them near , as they may compete for resources.