Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum) in Zone 9a & 9b
Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Yes, chrysanthemum (garden mum) grows in zones 9a and 9b and comes back each year. Start seeds indoors Dec 21–Dec 28 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant chrysanthemum (garden mum) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 21–Dec 28 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| 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 9b. See the details below.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of chrysanthemum (garden mum) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Mar 1–Mar 8
- Bee BalmMar 1–Mar 8
- Black-Eyed Susan VineMar 1–Mar 8
- Cleome (Spider Flower)Mar 1–Mar 8
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. 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 9b 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 9b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
%20in%20USDA%20zone%209b%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 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
Save to Pinterest