The Plant: The Chrysanthemum has dark green leaves topped with abundant daisy like flowers. Chrysanthemums come in a variety of strong colours with a long flowering period which make than well suited for growing indoors - houseplants. Generally, Chrysantheums grown as houseplants, are around 30cm high, with single or double flowers.
Its needs: As Chrysanthemums are usually bought ready potted there is no need to worry about potting mix, but any compost will do as plant is generally not kept from year to year.
A cool room temperature, e.g. 10-15 C prolongs the flowering period indoors, but a Chrysanthemum plant will tolerate warmer rooms. No extra humidity required, and they can be placed in any position within the room.
Care:
Keep Pot Mums moist at all times indoors, feeding not necessary for the
first few weeks, though
watering is, but a light diluted tomato
feed each week after will be
enough. Deadhead old flowers to maintain tidy looking plant. Keep in a light
airy place and watch out for
powdery mildew on foliage
Good for: The Chrysanthemum is a very popular houseplant to give
as a gift, not usually expensive, and cheerfully bright flowers atop dark
green foliage. Easy to maintain. Most people discard Chrysanthemums after
flowering period is over. It is possible to plant them out in the garden in
spring or summer, which should produce autumn-flowering tall Chrysanthemums,
however, not all plants survive the transition.
Houseplant Chrysanthemums have usually been treated with a chemical dwarfing agent. This dwarfing habit reduces if kept for further year - grown as houseplants indoors or planted outdoors.
