Are your beautiful Mums Turning Brown? We explain why and share tricks to stop them from wilting and returning to old glory!
Emerging in myriad hues and shapes, chrysanthemums do wonders in spicing up a fall garden when all else fades. It’s natural to be distressed when these hardy showstoppers discolor. Lucky for you, we have just the tricks to stop your mums from turning brown!
Mums Turning Brown? Reasons & Fixes
One of the most satisfying perennials (or annuals) to grow, chrysanthemums thrive on neglect as long as their basic needs are met. But even this tough fall classic has its moments! Grown well in USDA zones 3-11, various factors can cause its blooms and sometimes its foliage to turn brown. Let’s dig in!
1. Improper Watering
Mums are thirsty plants that need regular weekly, even hydration during their growing period. And once they start to blossom, you’ll have to increase the frequency! However, in your enthusiasm, if you overwater your mums, they will suffocate and begin turning brown.
A good sign is to water when the soil is slightly dry, a wee bit moist but never wet or soggy, which chokes out the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients!
On the other hand, underwatering stresses and forces them to conserve water. In both scenarios, they’ll turn brown, shrivel up, or curl.
The Fix: For mums in containers, water more frequently to keep them consistently moist, but not drowning! If you aren’t sure, use your fingers to get a feel of the soil. If it is dry, hydrate; if it’s a bit too wet, skip a for a few days!
2. Temperature Shock
Mums are delicate to sudden temperature shifts. They go into shock, and as a reaction, they start browning. This is usually seen when they are exposed to cold drafts or left out in winter.
Mums can tolerate light frost and temperatures of 30-32 F (-1-0 C), but the flowers and leaves may wilt, discolor, or show minor damage. Temperatures below 28 F (-2 C) can seriously damage mums, especially if the frost is prolonged.
The flowers, stems, and foliage will turn black and die. Mums also lose color and start turning brown under high-temperature stress above 90 F (32 C).
The Fix: Keep temperatures around your mums within 60-85 F (15-29 C). A slight fluctuation would not matter much, but frequent extremities are sure to make them look less appealing.
Note: Don’t grow mums outdoors if you live in a zone below 3 or above 10. Move them indoors during winter, grow them in greenhouses, or use cold frames, frost covers, heavy mulch, and other materials and methods to protect your plant from extreme weather.
3. Pests & Infections
Garden intruders are especially infuriating! Pests like aphids, thrips, and mites view mums as tasty delicacies, and in all likelihood, they are the ones turning your delightful mums brown! Fungal infections and diseases like leaf spot also lead to discolored blooms.
The Fix: Prevention is always better than cure, so get rid of pests as you see them. The same must be done for infections. However, you must also give your mums the right care because diseases often result from ignored needs like proper watering.
4. Poor Soil Conditions
Mums flourish in well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Nutrient-poor, compacted, or cloggy soil is a driving factor in your bright mums fading away! If the soil doesn’t drain out excess water, the roots will rot, and the plant will wilt and die.
Too much fertilizer can also cause high levels of soluble salts in the soil, injuring the plant. These salts accumulate at the leaf margins and tips, causing them to turn brown. If your soil is oversaturated with nutrients, stop fertilizing and follow these steps.
The Fix: Poor soil, on the other hand, can be fixed with a bit of fertilizer! A water-soluble, all-purpose fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 15-15-15 or 20-20-20 will help. Homegrown methods like adding eggshells or organic compost are gentler.
5. Sunshine
Growing mums in the wrong environment also lead to browning flowers and foliage. Sometimes, instead of the usual suspects—such as watering or nutrients—it could just be the wrong spot for your mums.
Mums love and need at least six hours of full sunlight daily and even more. They can tolerate some shade but not throughout. Additionally, they need ample air circulation. Remember to rotate your mums’ location every 2-3 years to prevent disease and rot!
The Fix: Here’s how to grow them in pots correctly. Place them in the sunniest position, and if you’re moving them indoors to overwinter, use grow lights, especially in the dull days of winter, to keep your mums thriving!
But as all things born must die, your mums may turn brown because they have reached the end of their life cycle. If your mums are 3-4 years old, divide them in spring or start seeds indoors over winter for a fresh batch of these irresistible, long-lasting blooms!
