Yellow garden chrysanthemum

Credit: Billjones94

Cut leaf Chrysanthemum indicum

Credit: Zinogre

Yellow Chrysanthemum indicum flower

Credit: Joydeep

Chrysanthemum double flowers Chrysanthemum indicum

Credit: Radu Chibzii

Chrysanthemum double pink flowers

Credit: Rosalie de Kuijer

Chrysanthemum indicum, the garden chrysanthemum

An early-blooming chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum indicum displays its flowers from late summer onwards. The plant, which grows wild from the Himalayas to Vietnam, symbolizes mourning in Europe, while in Asia it's synonymous with nobility and purity.

How to recognize Chrysanthemum indicum, the garden Chrysanthemum?

A flowering perennial, Chrysanthemum indicum reaches a metre in height and a spread of 75 centimetres. Garden Chrysanthemums form compact , rounded clumps.

Chrysanthemum indicum has a fibrous root system and a woody stump from which emerge semi-lignified, branched stems.

The oval to elliptical leaves are pinnate: each has several very rounded, indented lobes. Dull green, they measure up to seven centimetres long and four centimetres wide.

Chrysanthemum indicum flowers earlier than florist's Chrysanthemum morifolium. Flowers bloom in late summer. In the botanical variety, they measure six centimetres in diameter and resemble large yellow or ochre daisies. However, hybrids and cultivars with double flowers and pink, mauve, white or orange petals are available on the market.

The leaves, like the stems, are toxic if ingested. In dogs and cats, they cause digestive problems (vomiting, diarrhea). They can also cause irritation on contact with the skin.

Our maintenance tips

Garden 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

When the soil has dried on the surface, you can water. Use non-calcareous water at room temperature, such as rainwater. If you don't have any, you can use tap water that you've left to stand.

Drain off any water that collects in the planter or dish. It can rot the roots.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Chrysanthemum indicum to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Obtain a pierced pot suitable for the size of your Garden 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 Garden 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.

Add flowering plant fertilizer to watering water to stimulate flowering.

Prune

Using clean, sharp pruning shears, cut back the clumps to within ten centimetres of the ground.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Basin your Garden 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.

Cutting

Dig up your Garden Chrysanthemum without damaging the roots. Using your spade or a suitable tool, cut the plant into at least two parts.

Transplant or repot the two parts in the desired locations.

Diseases / Threats

Powdery mildew

Rust

Aphids

Information

Family	Asteraceae - Asteraceae
Type	Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum
Species	Garden Chrysanthemum - Chrysanthemum indicum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrat	Humus soil
Planting methods	Open ground In pots In tubs
Category	Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery Rustic Toxic
Origins	Central Asia East Asia Southeast Asia
Hardiness (USDA)	7b
Leaf color
Flower colors