- 1). Pinch off the growing tips of mums once each month, from May through July, to encourage bushiness and increased flowering. Choose shoots that are 3 to 4 inches long, and always leave two or three leaves on each shoot.
- 2). Deadhead spent flowers to keep the plant looking tidy and to encourage future blooming. If you cut flowers while they are fresh, use them in a vase for a long-lasting floral arrangement.
- 3). Snip off all leaves and branches that begin to turn yellow or that have spots or discoloration at any time of year. These conditions might indicate that a disease has begun to affect your mum. Getting rid of such unhealthy growth will benefit your plant.
- 4). Cut all foliage to within 4 inches of the soil surface in fall. Wait until frost causes the foliage to wilt and die, if you wish, or beat Jack Frost to the punch by pruning your mums before cold weather arrives. Bury or burn all trimmed plant material to prevent the possible spread of disease.
- 5). Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as wood chips, straw or organic compost, on the soil surface to protect the mum root system from cold weather.
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