Chrysanthemum is grown for its blooms, which open in summer. It's hardy across USDA zones 5 through 9, shrugs off deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and butterflies.
Zones
5-9
pH Range
5.5-7.3
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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What Chrysanthemum is
Chrysanthemum reaches around three feet at maturity. It blooms in summer. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum grows in USDA zones 5 through 9. Chrysanthemum does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 7.3, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 180 frost-free days, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
5-9
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 7.3
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
Growable Ground plant catalog
Drainage
well (dry spells)
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost Tolerance
37.4°F
The lowest temperature it shrugs off — below this, expect damage without cover.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Mature Height
3 ft
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost-Free Days
180+
The frost-free stretch it needs start to finish — short-season areas may need an indoor head start.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Start the season right
Plant chrysanthemum in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun. It grows in the cool halves of the year, so sow it in spring or late summer rather than waiting for midsummer heat.
Match the soil
Chrysanthemum prefers pH 5.5 to 7.3 (FAO ECOCROP). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Cut chrysanthemum blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — chrysanthemum is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Chrysanthemum offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Chrysanthemum thrives
Chrysanthemum is hardy across USDA zones 5 through 9. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 5–9·Where Chrysanthemum growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Chrysanthemum can grow in these states:
See if Chrysanthemum will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether chrysanthemum actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Chrysanthemum in my zone?
Chrysanthemum grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Chrysanthemum?
Chrysanthemum is a cool-season crop, so it goes in during the cool halves of the year — early spring, and again in late summer for a fall planting — rather than at the height of summer heat. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Chrysanthemum need?
Chrysanthemum needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Chrysanthemum need?
Chrysanthemum prefers soil pH 5.5 to 7.3, on well-drained ground (FAO ECOCROP). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Chrysanthemum attract pollinators?
Yes — chrysanthemum's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and butterflies. (Source: Pollinator Partnership.)
Is Chrysanthemum safe for pets?
Chrysanthemum is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)