Garden chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum x morifolium
Garden chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x morifolium) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It grows 40–90 cm (16–35 in) tall and 40–70 cm (16–28 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Garden chrysanthemum in your garden →
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Garden chrysanthemum at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 40–90 cm (16–35 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–70 cm (16–28 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇰🇷 South Korea |
Is Garden chrysanthemum toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: flowers, leaves
Pyrethrins and sesquiterpene lactones cause vomiting, drooling and skin irritation in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Garden chrysanthemum
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Garden chrysanthemum in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Longwood Gardens (20 plants)
Questions about Garden chrysanthemum
- How far apart should I plant Garden chrysanthemum?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–70 cm (16–28 in).
- Does Garden chrysanthemum need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Garden chrysanthemum need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Garden chrysanthemum?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Garden chrysanthemum flower?
- From about September for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Garden chrysanthemum poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people mildly toxic. Pyrethrins and sesquiterpene lactones cause vomiting, drooling and skin irritation in pets.
- What grows well with Garden chrysanthemum?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Garden chrysanthemum. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Short-day plant that flowers in autumn.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus