Mums (Chrysanthemums)
Garden Mums
The garden mum (Chrysanthemum spp.) is a popular herbaceous perennial flowering plant that is commonly grown for fall sales. While also referred to as 'hardy mums,' their actual hardiness outdoors (that is, their ability to survive the winter) can vary by cultivar, time of planting, and environmental conditions. Garden mums are generally container-grown in Kentucky, either in a greenhouse or outdoors in connection with a greenhouse business; there is also some field production in the state.
Key Requirements
| Land | Low |
| Labor | High |
| Capital | Medium to High |
Take the HortBizQuiz to see how much Land, Labor, and Capital you have for your operation.
Markets
- Direct to Consumer
- Farmer's Market
- On-Farm Stands
- Wholesale
- Auctions
Pests & Disease
Insect pests such as aphids, leafhoppers, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, as well as spider mites, are relatively common on garden mums. Gray mold and bacterial leaf spot are the primary disease problems.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Costs and returns are presented as estimates. They will vary based on your farm and markets.
Challenges
- Field-grown mums are only suited for local sales and usually via on-farm sales due to transportation and storage issues.
- Five hundred plants will require more than 1,000 square feet of production area.
Opportunities
- A strong market exists for garden mums because garden centers desire an inexpensive flowering potted plant to accentuate fall landscape plant sales.
- Container grown garden mums can be produced either outdoors or in greenhouses.