Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum) in Zone 7a & 7b
Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Yes, chrysanthemum (garden mum) grows in zones 7a and 7b and comes back each year. Start seeds indoors Feb 13–Feb 20 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant chrysanthemum (garden mum) in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Feb 13–Feb 20 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated bloom | First real harvest the season after planting |
Spacing: 1 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-3 ft.
Before you plant: Chrysanthemum (garden mum) has a winter-hardiness note for zone 7b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of chrysanthemum (garden mum) in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 17–Apr 24
- MarigoldApr 17–Apr 24
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Apr 24–May 1
- Bee BalmApr 24–May 1
- Black-Eyed Susan VineApr 24–May 1
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Apr 24–May 1
Garden mums are sold in bloom in September and treated as decoration. NC State Extension lists them as perennial in zones 5 through 9, which means most of the country is throwing away a plant that would come back.
How chrysanthemum (garden mum) fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Chrysanthemum (garden mum) takes about 1 growing season to reach full flowering, so what matters here is how many of these seasons it gets, not whether one is long enough.
Chrysanthemum (garden mum) is hardy in zones 5-9, so in zone 7b it stays in the ground through winter and comes back rather than being replanted. Allow about 1.5 ft of spread at maturity.
Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum) planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b | Mar 15–Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | First real harvest the season after planting |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | First real harvest the season after planting |
Good companions
No well-established companions for chrysanthemum (garden mum).
Where to buy chrysanthemum seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's chrysanthemum seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a clear consensus of positive, independent reviews, or ones we bought and use ourselves. Each item on our gear page says which.
See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing chrysanthemum (garden mum)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%207b%3A%20when%20to%20start%20seeds%20indoors%2C%20when%20to%20direct-sow%2C%20and%20when%20to%20expect%20a%20bloom.)
Pin this for later
Growing Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum) in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest