13 Different Types of Chrysanthemums (Plus Planting Tips and Health Benefits)

Nicknamed “Mums,” chrysanthemum flowers are the second most popular flowers in the world, next to rose. There are 40 wild species and thousands of varieties of chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemum varieties can differ in size, colours and number of flowers per stem.

A study conducted by NASA revealed that chrysanthemums also help reduce air pollution. Get to know the 13 different types of chrysanthemums and this flower’s health benefits.

Different Types of Mums Plants

Below you will find the official chrysanthemum varieties list with pictures.

Single blooms

These chrysanthemums look very much like daisies, thanks to their white petals and yellow centers.

The main difference is that the centers are a little larger than they are in daisies, and their petals are spaced equally all around them.

When they grow, chrysanthemums have a bushy-like quality, and they usually grow 2-3 feet high, although some of the smaller chrysanthemum varieties never reach a foot.

Sometimes there is one petal per stem, while at other times there can be single-bloom plants that grow in clusters.

Some of the varieties include Icy Isle, which looks just like the yellow-and-white daisy, and the Fire Island, which consists of a yellow center and red petals that have yellow stripes.

There is also a semi-double type of mum, which is very similar to the single blooms and are attractive when used in sprays.

Examples: Daisy, Tenderness, and Amber Morning.

Quilled blooms

Like the name suggests, these chrysanthemums have petals that are spiky and quill-like. The petals are very narrow and some of them cup up at the tip.

In fact, some of the petals can look somewhat like a spoon because of this cupped edge. Some of its varieties include Lola, which is very large in size and boasts beautiful lavender petals, and the Kings Delight, which is also large and comes in a beautiful shade of pink.

Quilled blooms are open-tipped, have no open center, and varieties such as the Toffee grow 6 or more inches in height. Quills are good for disbuds.

Examples: Muted Sunshine and Matchsticks.

Spider blooms

These chrysanthemums have petals that are long and thin and look a lot like spider legs. Even though they’re long and tubular, the petals often go off in all different directions, looking lacy and elegant.

One of its varieties, Evening Glow, has petals that are rose to bronze in color, while the Symphony is lacy and bronze to yellow in color. Some varieties are white in color.

Another variety, the Chesapeake, is at least 6 inches high and has petals that range from very fine to coarse. Spider blooms can also have petals that hook or coil at the tips.

Example: Cremon and Anastasia.

Anemone

These flowers have a central disk with petals surrounding themselves around that disk, with the exception that these petals are tubular in shape and create a cushioned appearance.

The variety called Angel is striking because it has a yellow center and small lavender-colored petals that create the cushion, as well as outer petals that are somewhat larger and are usually colored in dark purple with white tips.

With a raised cushion-like center, the Anemone mums are perfect as a disbud and grow at least 4 inches high.

Examples: Daybreak and Mansetta Sunset.

Pompons

Called Pompons – not Pompoms – these chrysanthemums’ heads are globe-shaped and have short petals that hide their disk. If they are small, they are called button mums.

The Moonbeam variety has blooms that are large and solid-white in color, while the Yoko Ono has very small blooms, usually very green in color. The Moonbeam variety can grow up to 2 or 3 feet in height.

The Pompons start out flat but turn quite round when they mature, and the blooms can be 4 inches wide. One example is the Lakeside, which grows 1-4 inches high. Pompons are perfect for use in sprays.

Examples: Baby Tears and Small Wonder.

Decorative blooms

These chrysanthemums vary in size and their petals cover their disks. Some have cushions that are flat and have no petals that curve inward. In other words, they are flat and have short blooms.

One variety, called the Lexy, is somewhat smaller than regular chrysanthemums and have bronze petals and a very dark center.

On the other hand, the Honeyglow is a medium-sized bloom with petals that are amber in color. Decorative mums are usually 5 inches high or taller, and they make excellent plants to place in pots.

Examples: Indian Summer and Tobago.

Reflex and Incurve blooms

The petals of these types of chrysanthemum either curve inward or outward, hence the name. The ones that incurve irregularly have large heads and irregular-shaped petals, so they look slightly inconsistent and very informal.

The variety called Goldfield is an example of this type of chrysanthemum, and they are golden yellow in color.

Most irregular or incurve mums grow to 6-8 inches in height. A more formal type consists of regular incurves, and these flowers are more uniform-looking and more formal.

The latter is also more ball-like and compact, making it especially attractive to many mum-lovers. These tend to grow no more than 6 inches high. The variety called Moira is mauve and lavender in color.

The chrysanthemums known as intermediate curve mums have a small, fluffy-looking flower, while the St. Tropez – a French variety – has bright red petals and bronze-colored tips.

Finally, reflex mums have petals that droop away from the center of the plant, such as the Joyce Fountain. This variety has gorgeous red petals with a touch of yellow in the center.

These chrysanthemums can also have an intermediate incurve. In these flowers, there are shorter petals than the irregular incurve mums, and they usually grow at least 6 inches high.

One example of the intermediate incurve mum is called the Bob Dear, which is bright yellow in color and quite stunning.

Reflex mums

Different mums have flat centers and over-lapping petals that curve downward. The globe-shaped blooms are approximately 4-5 inches wide and are likely to be light or dark orange in color, although other colors are possible.

Reflex mums grow up to 6 inches high and have full and flat blooms. Their darker colors, such as deep orange and red, are nothing short of striking.

Brush or Thistle Chrysanthemums

These mums have tubular petals that are fine and grow parallel to the stem. They usually grow no more than 2 inches in diameter, and the petals can be flat, drooping, or even twisted, looking just like a paint brush in some instances.

They are good for use in sprays and are very small – no more than 2 inches high.

Unclassified

As the name suggests, these are mums that do not fit neatly in any other category. They are usually 6 inches or wider, or the petals are exotic and large and resemble other types of mums. They can also have twisted petals on them.

The Lone Star is an example of an exotic plant, and it grows at least 6 inches high.

Spoon mums

These are almost identical to the semi-double mums, except the petals look like spoons at the tip of the petal.

With a center disk that is visible and round, varieties such as the Kimie grow at least 4 inches in height and make an excellent addition to any spray or as a disbud.

Examples: Happy Face and Starlet.

Cushion mums

These mums are quite bushy and grow low to the ground. They produce wide masses of blooms that are medium in size.

Examples: Valor, Chiffon, and Ruby Mound.

Miscellaneous mums:

• Red Bradford: Paprika red to deep burgundy.
• Football mums: Found in nurseries during the Fall months.
• Daisy mum: Usually multi-colored and look like daisies.
• Dark Weldon: A beautiful mix of soft yellow and lilac.
• Focus: Bright yellow highlighted in green in the center.
• Orange Viking: A bronze-orange color.
• Yellow Sizzle: Colored in yellow and dark orange.

What Not to Do When Planting Mums

When planting mums, be sure you don’t:

1. Plant mums that were placed in a pot and given to you as a gift. Instead, look for plants that are grown in nurseries and ready to be planted the right way.
2. Forget to feed your mums. Mums love to eat, so feed, feed, feed!
3. Expect them to be sturdy and healthy if they are planted in containers.
   This is because when mums are in containers, their roots aren’t as protected as they should be, which means you should treat them as annuals and re-plant them the following year.
4. Forget to pinch your mums. At six inches high and again at 12 inches, pinch off the branches’ tips in order to keep them more compact and skip that messy stage that happens right before their blooms open up to the world.
5. Forget to take advantage of the mums you already have in your flower bed. If you plant mums in the spring like you do your other perennials, the wait will be well worth it once they start to bloom.

The Many Health Benefits of Chrysanthemums

Drinking a tea made with the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant offers relief for a variety of ailments, including:

1. Tinnitus
2. Colds
3. Sore throats
4. Headaches
5. Eyes that are inflamed
6. Vertigo
7. Skin conditions such as boils
8. Anxiety
9. Tightening of the chest
10. Allergies
11. Hypertension (high blood pressure)

How to Make the Tea

Simply place a fair amount of the flowers in a closed vessel filled with hot water and let it steep for approximately 10 minutes. Producing the tea in a closed pot or pan allows you to preserve the essential oil that results.

Of course, if you find chrysanthemum in capsule form, all you have to do is follow the directions on the bottle and take them according to these instructions.

Medicinal Properties in Chrysanthemums

These include being anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, febrifuge, hepatic, aromatic, refrigerant, and hypotensive.

Ingredients in Chrysanthemums

Some of the helpful ingredients found in mums include calcium, beta-carotene, magnesium, potassium, ascorbic acid, essential oils, fiber, iron, Vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and folacin.

Chrysanthemum Tea Can:

1. Help you feel better without the nasty side effects that other medicines may have, particularly prescription medications. For instance, tea made with chrysanthemums have no caffeine, so you won’t suffer with nervousness, anxiety, or tension.
2. Lower your body temperature, which is just what you need when running a fever or have problems with your sinuses or even heat stroke. Even if you have a toothache or pain in your gums, chrysanthemum tea can help you relieve your pain.
3. Help alleviate pimples, acne, and other skin problems.
4. Detoxify your liver, making you healthier overall, as well as lower your cholesterol numbers.
5. Rejuvenate the brain and alert the senses. This is because chrysanthemum tea stimulates all of your senses while, at the same time, calming your nerves.
6. Help alleviate dryness and itchiness in the eyes.
7. Help ease digestive issues, eliminating a lot of your digestive problems and keeping you in less pain with fewer stomach problems.
8. Help alleviate varicose veins.
9. Help unclog arteries and improve your overall heart health.
10. Boost your immune system because of its high levels of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
11. Help improve bone density and even prevent osteoporosis. This is due to its many naturally occurring minerals, including calcium and magnesium.
12. Improve your vision. In addition to uncomfortable or inflamed eyes, chrysanthemum tea can also improve your eyesight, and can even protect against diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration, neuropathy, and even blurry vision.
13. Prevent certain chronic illnesses, in part because it helps fight free radicals, prevents cellular mutations, and protects you against numerous illnesses caused by these free radicals.
14. Increase your metabolism, which can help you lose weight, improve circulation, regulate hormone levels, and even improve neurotransmitter activity.

A Few Words of Caution

Like other herbs and natural remedies, no one should consume chrysanthemum tea without first speaking to a qualified physician, especially if you already take prescriptions or have any medical conditions.

Although there are no known side effects even for people taking other treatments, it is safer all around to check everything out with a medical professional before drinking chrysanthemum tea or taking the capsules.

This will ensure that nothing goes wrong while you’re drinking the tea, giving you the peace of mind you deserve.

FAQs

Where do chrysanthemums grow?

Grow your Chrysanthemums in an outdoor garden with access to a lot of sunlight at the beginning of Spring when the winter weather has eased.

Mums, notably dwarf cultivars, can be grown everywhere from a sunny windowsill to a sunny border or even in a container. If you want to gather bunches of flowers without ruining the garden’s aesthetic, place them in a cut-flower border.

How much sun do chrysanthemums need?

Flowers like chrysanthemums need a lot of direct sunlight to thrive. To develop, blossom, and be hardy, they need only 6 hours of sunshine daily, but the more they get, the better.

Avoid scorching your plants by providing some mild shade during the hottest part of the day in the summer.

How long do potted chrysanthemums last?

Depending on when you buy the mums and how you care for them, they can last between 2 and 8 weeks.

Depending on the external temperature plus how far along the blooming phase the plants were when purchased, chrysanthemum flowers typically last approximately two to three weeks.

How long do chrysanthemums bloom?

Although it varies by species, most mums can be enjoyed between four and eight weeks once they begin blooming.

How tall do chrysanthemums grow?

Hardy chrysanthemums can reach heights of up to three feet, with a spread sometimes matching that of the plant itself.

Plant them in a spot that gets a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day for the best growth.

Can chrysanthemums survive frost?

A light frost in the fall shouldn’t kill most garden mums. When frost warnings are in effect, it is necessary to protect the plants by covering them overnight.

Immediately after a flower fades, cut it off at the stem so that the plant can continue to look good and flourish.

Do chrysanthemums repel mosquitoes and bugs?

It is well-known that chrysanthemums are effective insect repellents. They are effective in keeping away mosquitoes, flies, fleas, ticks, and even Japanese beetles!

The neurotoxin Pyrethrin found in mums is effective against insects but harmless to vertebrates. Because of this, many insects avoid this plant.

Do chrysanthemums attract bees?

Chrysanthemums do not attract bees. That’s because being double-flowered plants doesn’t allow most of them to make nectar or pollen.

Despite their usefulness as a nectar supply, chrysanthemums can be home to spiders that prey on honeybees.

As a result, bees may perish if they try to forage on moms, and they may also learn to avoid them out of instinct.

Can chrysanthemums grow in the shade?

Mums prefer full sun but are also tolerant to partial shade. In most cases, growing them in direct sunlight will result in an abundance of blooms. On the other hand, in hotter climes, plants love afternoon shade.

Do chrysanthemums have seeds?

Succulent plants like mums are propagated through the release of microscopic seeds, which germinate after falling to the ground.

Early chrysanthemum seeds started indoors can be transplanted into the garden after the first frost.

Planting Seeds in a House: Plant chrysanthemum seeds in a seed starting kit 8 to 10 weeks before the last spring frost date. Avoid compacting the soil too much when planting seeds.

Can chrysanthemums be grown from cuttings?

It takes about three to four weeks for a chrysanthemum clipping to take root. When the roots are an inch and a half long, take the cuttings out of the water and either put them in a pot with new potting soil or place them in the ground.

To promote branching, pinch off the upper half inch of the young plant.

How long do chrysanthemums live?

While chrysanthemums are hardy for up to four years, after that point they become increasingly vulnerable to winter damage and should be replaced.

How do chrysanthemums pollinate?

Since most mum cultivars are infertile to each other, it is challenging to establish pure lines for breeding and theoretical research purposes.

Previous research by our team found that 56.50% of a chrysanthemum cultivar’s seeds may be fertilized by themselves.

A mum’s lateral branch that emerges from the main stem at ground level might go underground for quite a while.

A sucker is a term for this offshoot limb. It sprouts a new plant from its tip, complete with adventitious roots below the earth and leaves above.

Can chrysanthemums be grown indoors?

If you want to grow mums inside, one key piece of advice is to place your plant in a location that gets plenty of light during the day but isn’t directly beneath the security or street light at nighttime. Too much light can prevent the plant from blooming.