Chrysanthemum morifolium, the florist's chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum × morifolium
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Genus
- Chrysanthemum
- Species
- Florist's Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum × morifolium
Other names:Chrysanthemum grandiflorum, Dendranthema × morifolium, Matricaria × morifolia, Chrysanthemum × hortorum, Chrysanthemum sinense
The florist's chrysanthemum, found in every French cemetery at All Saints' Day, is known in Latin as Chrysanthemum morifolium. This plant originates from China, where it symbolizes nobility, happiness and purity, and belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is obtained by hybridizing five different Chrysanthemum species.
How to recognize Chrysanthemum morifolium, the florist's chrysanthemum?
Chrysanthemum morifolium is a flowering perennial. It forms a bushy clump with a compact, rounded habit. Much taller than arctic Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum arcticum), it can exceed two meters in height.
The rhizomatous stump produces woody or semi-woody stems. The greenish stems are erect and may branch.
The florist's chrysanthemum has pennate leaves. The leaf blade is divided into rounded, irregular lobes, almost down to the midrib. The deciduous foliage is dark green on the upper surface, with a velvety, grayish underside.
Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers in late summer and autumn. The shape of the flowers varies according to hybrid and cultivar. The flower heads are single, like those of daisies, or double. They then look like pompons. The variety also determines the color of the bloom. You'll find florists' chrysanthemums with white, purple, pink, orange, yellow or red flowers.
The plant is toxic to dogs and cats. Ingested, the leaves cause vomiting and diarrhea. They can also cause skin irritation on contact.
Our care tips
Florists' Chrysanthemums are hardy plants. Nevertheless, avoid wetting their foliage when watering them. This will reduce the development of diseases such as rust and powdery mildew.
Watering
Let the soil dry out on the surface between waterings. Water your Florist's Chrysanthemum with non-hard water, such as collected rainwater. To avoid water stress, make sure the water is at room temperature.
If you use a saucer or a planter, remove any standing water from the bottom. It may cause the roots to rot.
Repotting
In spring, transfer your Chrysanthemum × morifolium to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.
Obtain a pierced pot suitable for the size of your Florist's Chrysanthemum. Choose one deep enough (around 20 centimetres) for the roots to develop.
Line the bottom with a bed of clay balls to promote drainage, then add a layer of potting soil for flowering plants. Plant your Florist's Chrysanthemum, the root ball should be a few centimetres below the edge of the pot. Fill in with substrate.
Water generously to remove air bubbles and help the plant take root.
Fertilization
You can stimulate the growth of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.
Apply a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants to promote the appearance of flower buds.
Prune
Using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut back the clumps to within ten centimetres of the ground.
Planting
Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.
Basin your Florist's Chrysanthemum to rehydrate it.
Choose a sunny spot and dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. If you're planting several specimens, space them at least 50 centimetres apart. Remove any stones, weeds or other branches that might hinder root development. Place a little compost at the bottom of the hole.
Plant your plant. The top of the rootball should be level with the ground. Fill in with garden soil. If your soil is heavy, add a little sand to lighten it and improve drainage.
You can mulch the base with a mineral material to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer. Water generously to encourage rooting.
Taking cuttings
Dig up the plant. Locate a rhizome with several stems. Separate it from the other roots. You can use your hands or a clean, sharp tool adapted to the size of the plant.
Transplant or repot.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Category
- Flowery
- Tags
- BeginnerFloweryHardyToxic
- Origin
- Central Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 7b (-15°C ≤ T° < -12.2°C)
- Leaf color
- Dark green
- Flower colors
- WhiteRedRoseSalmonYellowOrangeVioletPale yellowPurple
Discover plants from the same family
Autumn daisy
Chrysanthemum × rubellum
Arctic Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum arcticum
Garden Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum indicum
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
