How Long Does It Take for a Mum's Seed to Grow?

Annual Mum Seeds

• Annual mums grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 though 10 and flower from spring until frost in regions with cool summers. These mums grow easily from seed in air temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual mum seeds germinate in 10 to 13 days when planted about 1/8-inch deep in ordinary well-drained soil. You can start seeds indoors, 6 to 8 weeks before last frost, or sow directly outdoors just before the last frost for your region.

Perennial Mums

• Perennial mums can bloom from summer through late autumn, depending on the species. You can sow seeds outdoors in early spring or late autumn; indoors, start seeds 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting outside. Mums are transplanted after the last spring frost or in fall. Perennial mum seeds germinate in seven to 28 days when planted at surface depth in rich, well-drained soil. To germinate successfully, seeds require air temperatures between 60 and 70 F and light.

Mum Seeds and Growth

• Seeds harvested and sowed from established plants do not bear all the same characteristics as the parent plant. You can gather seeds in the fall and store them until spring. In spring, start seeds indoors or place them directly outdoors in the garden in an area with full sun; mums need at least 6 hours of sunlight each day to bloom. Mums from seed generally bloom the first year, usually about four months after sowing.

Mum Care

• Mums require frequent pinching to deadhead plants. Using your fingers, pinch stem tips to encourage a shrubby growth habit. Tall mums may require staking when grown in windy areas. Young plants require about an inch of water per week, but water needs increase as the plant grows -- to about three waterings per week. Perennial mums require division every one to two years to maintain profuse blooms. Annual mums often reseed.