The Chrysanthemum captivates us with its simple and vibrant flowering until the first frosts. This classic All Saints' Day plant, so easy to grow, begins to flower 12 weeks after sowing and doesn't stop until late summer or the onset of winter. Whether annual or perennial, it's very easy to sow.

Discover, through our tutorial, how to successfully sow chrysanthemums, either under cover or directly in the garden soil.

Tutorial: sowing chrysanthemums under cover or in the garden

When to sow chrysanthemums?

  • Perennial chrysanthemums like autumn daisies or rubellum, also nicknamed "florist's chrysanthemum", are sown under heated cover from October to April.
  • Annual chrysanthemums like keeled chrysanthemums are sown under a cold frame from February, or directly in place from April to July depending on the climate and region. These are hardy annual plants that aren't afraid of the cold.

⇒ An autumn sowing will allow for earlier flowering.

Required materials

To carry out your sowing successfully, prepare the following materials:

Sowing in buckets under cover

  • Start by filling the tray with sowing compost
  • Firm it down using a small board
  • Sow your chrysanthemum seeds by scattering them
  • Lightly cover the seeds with a 1 mm layer of compost
  • Water generously with a fine spray to thoroughly moisten the substrate
  • Cover (with a transparent lid, plastic bag...) to retain moisture, warmth, allow light through and encourage germination
  • Keep moist until germination
  • Place your sowings in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight, at a temperature of 15°C-20°C
  • Ventilate regularly and monitor to prevent damping off
Tutorial: sowing chrysanthemums under cover or in the garden

Sow then firm down with a small board, water with a sprayer or finely with a watering can, store in a bright location

Transplanting

  • When the seedlings reach about 5 cm, transplant them into individual 8 cm buckets filled with compost
  • Keep them under a warm frame if you can't yet plant them outside, ensuring to water them regularly
  • Pinch the tips of the stems of the young plants when they reach 15 to 20 cm, to encourage branching
  • Plant your young plants in the garden or in larger pots in full sun at the end of May when all risk of frost has passed

Tutorial: sowing chrysanthemums under cover or in the garden

Direct sowing in the garden

First, prepare the ground that will receive your sowing:

  • Loosen the soil without turning it over, using a broadfork for example
  • Remove large stones, roots and weeds
  • Level and smooth the soil with a rake
  • To flower well, the chrysanthemum will appreciate rich soil: add a spadeful of well-rotted compost or manure before sowing
  • In heavy soils, improve drainage with some river sand or gravel
  • Sow your seeds by scattering them
  • Lightly sprinkle them with compost without burying them deeply
  • Firm down lightly with the back of the rake
  • Water generously with a fine spray then throughout the germination period to keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged)

After germination, once the plants have reached 5 cm in height, thin them out slightly by keeping only one strong seedling every 30 to 40 cm. Then, when the plants reach 15 to 20 cm in height, pinch the tips of the stems to encourage branching.

⇒ The chrysanthemum can be sown in large drifts, alone or mixed with other perennial or seasonal plants.

Chrysanthemums look very elegant planted in drifts in the garden