12-inch Potted Mum

A flowering mum in a 12-inch pot for a porch, patio, entry or garden bed, with straightforward care for light, watering and continued blooms.

A flowering plant for a container display

A potted mum adds a rounded flowering plant to a porch, patio, entry or garden bed. The 12-inch pot gives the plant a substantial container for display and makes it movable when you want to change its position. Set it where the plant can be seen and where excess water can drain away. A mum can stand on its own near a doorway or join other seasonal containers, provided the surrounding plants have similar light and watering needs.

Choose a bright location

Mums grow best in full sun, though morning or afternoon sun can also work. A bright position helps support flowering. If the plant is displayed near a wall or under a roof, check the light across the day rather than judging by a brief glance. Container plants can heat and dry more quickly in exposed locations, so a sunny spot calls for regular attention to soil moisture.

Water and drainage

Feel the potting mix before watering. Water when the mix needs moisture, then let extra water drain through the container. Do not leave the pot sitting in a saucer of standing water. If the top of the mix remains wet, wait and check again rather than adding more water. Heat, wind and rainfall all affect how quickly a container dries, so use the plant and soil as a guide instead of following a rigid calendar. Place the pot on a level surface with room for drainage. If you use a decorative outer pot, lift the nursery container out for watering so excess water can escape before returning it.

Keep the plant looking fresh

Use well-drained soil. Slow-release fertilizer can be applied as needed. If planting the mum in a garden bed, use soil that drains well and contains organic matter. Remove faded flower heads to tidy the plant and encourage additional blooms. For a mum you plan to maintain beyond its current display, light pruning can help keep growth compact. Follow fertilizer label directions and avoid feeding simply because the plant is flowering.

Plant details

• Live potted mum
• Container size: 12 in
• Retail unit: one potted plant