How To Grow Chrysanthemums in Zones 8, 9, 10 - Humid/Tropical
In hot and humid climates, spacing your mums correctly and making sure your soil has good drainage will help a lot. Also plant in places that get afternoon sun if you get consistent temps above 100 midsummer.
This advice applies to places like Florida, Georgia, and Southern Texas but also Hawaii. If it’s hot and humid then this advice is for you.
This is a mix of the varieties: Quarterback, Torchsong and Irish Linen
In warmer zones that are tropical you can plant your cuttings into the ground in spring or plant in the fall to get a head start so as to get roots nice and deep into the ground before the heat of summer. In particularly humid places, you will need to give your mums a little space to reduce rot and insects - how far you space the plant will depend on the size of the varieties you pick to plant. Just don’t really squeeze them in or the humidity can cause mold to start growing, and bugs will go crazy in the overcrowded foliage. Another thing you’ll need to watch for is root rot. If your soil lacks drainage and keeps your roots warm and soggy that’s a perfect recipe to rot your roots and they will fail to thrive or die. Growing in pots and raised beds is probably the solution if you live in a place that struggles with bogs and/or is below sea level.
Grape Glow
If your plants tend to struggle with heat, plant your mums in a place that gets afternoon shade. If your summers are particularly hot you might plant your mums into pots that can be moved to shade during the highest heat of summer - temps consistently above 100F. Some of my favorite varieties for cut flowers are: Irish Linen, Torchsong and Grape Glow. For landscape I love ‘Minnpink’ ‘Red Daisymum’ and ‘Rosyglow’ but there are lots of beauties beyond these. Shop our entire selection here.
For all my hot/humid chrysanthemum growers, add your growing tips in the comments!