Cushion chrysanthemums (garden mums) are popular autumn flowers with a compact, rounded habit and an abundance of small flowers in a range of colours. They are easy to grow in both pots and borders, which makes them suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Cushion chrysanthemums bring a blaze of colour late in the season, often well into November.
What are cushion chrysanthemums?
Cushion chrysanthemums are bred forms of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum × morifolium) that flower profusely in a round, compact shape. Unlike cut-flower chrysanthemums and indoor types, cushion chrysanthemums are intended to be grown outdoors in pots or borders. They come in a wide range of colours and forms, from single to double flowers.
Most cushion chrysanthemums are not hardy where winters are cold and are grown as annuals, but there are exceptions, and you can try overwintering them somewhere frost-free.
Planting: when, where and how
Cushion chrysanthemums are usually sold in late summer and early autumn. They can be planted at any time during this period, as long as the ground is not frozen.
In pots: Choose a pot with drainage holes. Use a nutrient-rich potting compost and plant at the same depth as the plant sat in its original pot. Water generously after planting.
In borders: Choose a sunny to partly shaded position with humus-rich, well-drained soil. Plant at the same depth as in the pot. Cushion chrysanthemums in a border make lovely splashes of colour among other perennials.
Soil and position
Cushion chrysanthemums do best in fertile, well-drained soil that is evenly moist but not wet. In pots, ordinary potting compost works perfectly. Place the plant in sun to partial shade, ideally sheltered from strong wind and driving rain to spare the delicate flowers.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering. Water when the soil feels dry a few centimetres down. Too much or too little water can make the buds dry up or the roots rot. Cushion chrysanthemums bought in flower usually need no extra feeding.
Care for long flowering
Remove faded flowers regularly to extend flowering. Keep the plant well watered, and protect it from frost with a cover or by moving it somewhere frost-free if necessary. Choose a position with gentle sunlight or partial shade so that the flowers do not fade too quickly.
Pruning
Cushion chrysanthemums do not normally need pruning. If you are overwintering the plant, you can cut it back to about 10-15 cm after flowering. On early-grown or overwintered plants, you can pinch out the shoot tips in early summer to encourage bushier growth.
Overwintering
Most cushion chrysanthemums do not survive the winter outdoors where winters are cold, but in milder areas it can work in a sheltered spot. The safest option is to bring the plant indoors and keep it frost-free, bright and cool (5-10°C). Water sparingly over the winter. Repot the plant and bring it back into growth in spring.
Extend the flowering
- Place the plant somewhere cool and bright, out of scorching direct sun.
- Keep the soil evenly moist, but do not overwater.
- Remove faded flowers continuously.
- Protect the plant from rain and frost.
Summary
Cushion chrysanthemums are easy to care for and flower profusely in late summer and autumn. They suit both borders and pots and are excellent for brightening up the autumn garden. With the right position, watering and care, you can keep them flowering for a long time. And if you want to go further, you can also overwinter your own cushion chrysanthemums and bring them back into growth for the next season.
Author: Emma Vogiatzi
Fact-checked by Erik Hoekstra
Last updated 2025-11-28