As summer comes to an end, nature continues to surprise us with new forms of beauty. Even though the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, some plant species begin one of the most vibrant floral displays of the year. Among them, the Chrysanthemum x morifolium, popularly known as chrysanthemum, a plant that fills gardens, terraces and homes of color y Life especially in autumn and winter.
Highly valued throughout the world, this chrysanthemum not only beautifies the environment; it also carries a rich symbology and an amazing adaptation that allows it to offer its flowers during a time when most species are dormant. In this article, discover everything you need to know about its origin, characteristics, care, varieties, common problems, interesting facts, and much more so you can enjoy its full splendor.
Historical origin and symbolism of the chrysanthemum
El Chrysanthemum x morifolium has a fascinating history that dates back thousands of years in Asia, mainly in China, where its cultivation as an ornamental and medicinal plant began around 1500 BC. In fact, chrysanthemums have been an object of veneration and a symbol of longevity, honesty, and joy in Chinese and Japanese culture. Its name comes from ancient Greek, where “krysos” means golden and “anthemon” flower, because the first varieties were of intense yellow tones.
In Japan, the chrysanthemum is the national flower and represents perfection, virtue and happiness. imperial flower It even appears on the country's official insignia, and its Chrysanthemum Festival celebrates longevity every year. In the West, the chrysanthemum is equally rooted in popular culture, prominently featured in festivals such as All Saints' Day, associated with both funeral tributes and messages of love, hope, and renewal according to local tradition.
Botanical characteristics and most common varieties
- Family: Compositae (Asteraceae)
- Scientific name: Chrysanthemum x morifolium (also known as Dendranthema morifolium)
- Origin: Native to East Asia, especially widespread in China and Japan
- Level: Between 30 cm and 1,5 meters, depending on the cultivar and the environment
- Plant type: Perennial herbaceous plant, with a shrubby appearance and erect stems, woody at the base
- Sheets: Lobed, ovate or lanceolate, grayish-green in color, with a smooth upper surface and a somewhat hairy underside or covered with whitish powder.
- Inflorescences: Compound heads or corymbs, with simple (daisy-like) and double, semi-double, pompom, anemones, recurved, incurved, intermediate, with ligules...
- Flower colors: White, cream, yellow, pink, red, burgundy, lilac, orange, purple, bicolor, and more. There are no naturally occurring blue varieties.
- Flowering: Late summer, autumn and part of winter, lasting several weeks
- Seeds: Small, cylindrical achenes
The richness of shapes and colors of the chrysanthemum is exceptional: there are more than one hundred varieties cultivated that offer a palette of options for all tastes and environments.
- simple ways: Petals in one or two layers around the center, resembling daisies
- Anemones: Prominent central button, petals in various colors
- Pompons: Small, round, compact flowers that are highly appreciated in floral bouquets.
- Recurved and incurved: Petals that curve inward or outward, giving spherical shapes
- Ligules or spider: Thin, tubular petals that spread out in all directions like spider legs
- Spray: Modern varieties with multiple small flowers per stem
Ornamental, medicinal and decorative uses
- Gardening and landscaping: Essential in flower beds, flowerbeds, urban gardens, pots and balconies for their prolonged flowering and varied.
- Interior decoration: Widely used in large pots, planters and as centerpieces during autumn and winter.
- Floristry and floral art: They are protagonists in bouquets, funeral arrangements, decorative wreaths, floral headbands and compositions for events, due to their wide chromatic range and resistance as a cut flower (they can last up to 2-3 weeks with proper care).
- Medicinal uses (mainly in Asia): Infusions made from the flowers are used to treat headaches, colds, fever, liver and eye conditions, thanks to their antioxidant and essential oil content. It's important to note that some parts can be toxic to pets due to pyrethrin.
- Organic crops: They are used as a natural barrier against some insects due to their repellent action.
Essential tips for caring for Chrysanthemum x morifolium
1. Location and light
- Exterior: Place it at full sun to promote abundant flowering and firm stems. It requires at least 8 hours of light daily, preferably direct exposure during the morning.
- Interior: Place the pot next to a bright window, avoiding deep shadows and drafts. In areas with little sunlight, the plant may flower less or grow weakly.
- Protection: Try to keep it away from strong winds and sudden changes in temperature, especially during flowering.
2. Soil and substrate
- Fertility: It prefers soils rich in organic matter, well-aerated, and well-drained. The ideal pH is between 5,5 and 6,5.
- Potted: Use a universal substrate enriched with compost or humus, ensuring pots have drainage holes. Add perlite or sand to prevent waterlogging.
- In the garden: Make sure the soil is not compacted or packed; improve drainage with sand or peat if necessary.
- Padded: You can retain moisture by using a layer of compost, straw, or pine bark as surface mulch.
3. Irrigation
- Frequency: Chrysanthemum requires maintaining the substrate slightly damp, but without waterlogging. Water only when the top layer is almost dry, checking with a wooden stick.
- Prevention: Excess water encourages the growth of fungus and root rot. One trick is to water at the base and never over the flowers or leaves, especially indoors.
- Spray: In dry environments, spray warm water on the leaves (avoiding the flower buds) to increase humidity, especially in heated rooms.
4. Temperature and environment
- Optimal range: Between 13 and 18 ºC. It can tolerate light frosts, although intense cold can affect flowering.
- Ventilation: Place the plant in well-ventilated areas, but without direct drafts or sudden changes in temperature.
5. Subscriber
- Time: Fertilize during the growing and flowering season (spring and fall), avoiding fertilizing when the plant goes dormant.
- Types of fertilizer: You can use universal liquid fertilizer or one specifically designed for flowering plants every two weeks, as well as guano, homemade compost, crushed eggshells, or tea bags if the plant is in the ground. Do not overfertilize to avoid excessively rapid growth and weak stems.
6. Pruning and pinching
- Maintenance pruning: After flowering, cut back stems to about 4-5 cm from the ground to encourage new growth and keep the plant compact.
- Pinching: During growth, remove shoot tips to promote abundant branching and more flowers.
- Dried flowers: Remove wilted flowers and damaged leaves to encourage new buds to emerge.
- Stakes: If your chrysanthemums have tall stems and large flowers, support them with stakes to prevent them from falling over under the weight.
7. Multiplication and transplantation
- By seeds: Sow in spring in seedbeds, placing 3 or 4 seeds per 8,5 cm pot and covering them lightly.
- By cuttings and division: Chrysanthemums can be easily propagated by apical cuttings (8-10 cm) or by dividing mature clumps every 2 to 4 years to rejuvenate the plant and avoid root competition.
- Transplant: Do this in spring, using pots at least 20-25 cm in diameter and separating plants about 40 cm if they are in a planter.
8. Hardiness and resistance
- Rusticity: It tolerates moderate cold and frost, but it is advisable to protect the root ball with mulch in very severe winters.
- Longevity: If properly cared for, it can live and flourish for years.
Common problems, pests and diseases
- Flowers that do not open: It is usually due to lack of lightMove the plant to a sunnier location.
- Reddish spots on leaves/stems: zodiac sign roya, which thrives on excess humidity. Treat preventively with zinc-based products and adjust watering.
- White powder and deformation: Symptom of powdery mildewSpray specific fungicide, avoiding wetting the flowers.
- Light brown spots on petals: Appears with botrytis or gray mold (Botrytis cinerea). Use fungicide with benomyl and reduce humidity.
- Yellow leaves and decay: It may be due to excess of water, lack of nutrients or drainage problems.
- Common pests: Chrysanthemum fruit flies, aphids, mealybugs, red spider mites, nematodes, slugs, snails, and whiteflies. Control with specific insecticides or organic methods.
- Other pathologies: It can be affected by various soil-borne fungi (Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Verticillium), leaf spots, rusts, or viruses in favorable environments. To prevent this, avoid wetting the foliage and disinfect tools.
Most popular varieties and ornamental combinations
- Chrysanthemum x morifolium (ball chrysanthemum, winter daisy): The most popular and widely grown plant in gardens and balconies. Comes in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
- Chrysanthemum indicum (small chrysanthemum, golden chamomile): Compact, suitable for pots and arrangements. Also known for its medicinal properties.
- Korean and Japanese varieties: Highly resistant, abundant flowering and excellent use in floral design for interiors and exteriors.
- Japanese Pompom: Dwarf bush with abundant pompom-type flowers, ideal for creating brightly colored beds.
- Spray and Korean: Recent, with numerous heads per stem, perfect for informal arrangements.
Chrysanthemums look great grouped in trios or pairs of different shades and shapes, or combined with other autumn-flowering plants such as asters, pansies, anemones, heleniums, sedums, or ornamental grasses.
Tips for enjoying chrysanthemums as cut flowers and in floral arrangements
- Duration: Cut flowers can last up to 3 weeks if the water is changed frequently and submerged leaves are removed.
- Floral arrangement: For a long-lasting bouquet, choose chrysanthemums with partially opened buds. Remove any leaves from the stem that touch the water in the vase.
- Care: Keep the vase in a cool, indirect light environment, and trim the stems diagonally every few days.
- Use in events: Perfect for fall weddings, elegant centerpieces, and long-lasting decorative wreaths.
Curiosities and myths about chrysanthemums
- World symbolism: The chrysanthemum represents longevity, honesty, joy, perfection and prosperity depending on the culture in which it is found.
- Holidays: The star of the Chrysanthemum Festival in Japan, it has been a national symbol and object of worship for centuries. In Spain and other European countries, it is the typical flower for All Saints' Day.
- Meaning in gifts: In Latin America, giving chrysanthemums is a gesture of love and good wishes.
- Autumn flower: Few plants offer such spectacular flowering just as most others are entering dormancy, making it the queen of the autumn garden.
- Aromatherapy and traditional medicine: In the East, chrysanthemum infusions are drunk to increase vital energy and combat disease.
- Special color: There are no naturally occurring blue chrysanthemums; those that are usually the result of artificial coloring.
Expert recommendations for successful cultivation
- Choose the right place: Maximum light and good ventilation, but protected from strong winds.
- Avoid sharing pots: Chrysanthemums need space, do not compete for roots or nutrients.
- Check the humidity: Keep the soil moist, never soaked or completely dry. A light substrate is essential.
- Pay in a balanced way: Provides nutrients during growth without exceeding the quantity.
- Pruning and removing dry matter: Regular cleaning encourages new flowers and prevents disease.
- Multiply your plants: Try sowing seeds, cuttings, or dividing clumps to renew and extend the vitality of your garden.
