About Cushion Mums
Cushion mums (Chrysanthemum) are compact, mounding perennials that produce dense masses of daisy-like blooms in vibrant fall colors — yellows, oranges, reds, purples, and whites. They bloom when days shorten in early to mid-fall, providing essential late-season color when most garden flowers have finished. Growing 12 to 24 inches tall in neat, rounded mounds, they're perfect for borders, containers, and mass plantings.
Starting from Seed
Start mum seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. The seeds are extremely small (roughly 45,000 per ounce). Sow on the surface of moist seed-starting mix and cover with the thinnest possible layer of fine vermiculite — they need some light to germinate. Maintain soil temperature at 70-75°F. Germination takes 7 to 21 days. When seedlings have 2 pairs of true leaves, transplant to 3-4 inch pots.
Planting Out
Transplant after the last frost into full sun — mums need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for best flowering. Space 18 to 24 inches apart in well-drained, fertile soil enriched with compost. Good drainage is essential; mums sitting in wet soil over winter will rot.
The Pinching Technique
Pinching is the key to bushy, heavily blooming mums. When plants reach 6 inches tall, pinch about 3/4 inch from each branch tip. This forces branching and more flower buds. When they reach 12 inches tall, pinch again. Continue pinching until around the 4th of July — after that, stop so the plant has time to set buds for fall flowering. Each pinch doubles the number of growing tips, which means dramatically more blooms.
Ongoing Care
Water regularly — mums need consistent moisture, about 1 inch per week. Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks during the growing season, switching to a high-phosphorus formula in late summer to boost bud formation. After the first hard frost kills the top growth, cut stems to 4 to 6 inches and mulch heavily for winter protection in zones 5 and colder. Mums look fantastic planted with fall pansies, alongside hardy dianthus, or in front of tall ornamental grasses.