When autumn arrives in Cincinnati, nothing says “fall” quite like the cheerful colors of garden mums. Their blooms — rich golds, warm oranges, deep reds, and soft pinks — bring instant seasonal charm to porches, patios, and garden beds across the Tri-State.

At Natorp’s Nursery in Mason, local gardeners can explore one of the region’s largest collections of hardy garden mums, hand-selected to thrive in Greater Cincinnati’s climate. When you’re decorating for fall, here’s how to keep them healthy and vibrant all season long.

Why Choose Garden Mums for Outdoor

Not all mums are created equal. The mums you find at the grocery store are usually florist mums, which are wonderful for short-term indoor color. Garden mums, like the ones grown by Natorp’s, are bred for outdoor performance and stronger roots.

Each plant in Natorp’s Garden Mum Collection is locally grown and tested for hardiness, color intensity, and bloom longevity — so Cincinnati gardeners get the best of both beauty and reliability.

Pro Tip: Choose mums with tightly closed buds for the longest bloom time. They’ll open gradually, keeping your display colorful for weeks.

How to Plant Garden Mums in Cincinnati

Planting location and timing are key to helping your garden mums thrive.

• Sunlight: Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.

• Soil: Mums prefer well-draining soil. If your soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in compost to improve drainage.

• Spacing: Plant mums 18 inches apart to allow airflow and prevent mildew.

Container tip: When decorating with porch pots or planters, use high-quality potting soil and ensure your container has good drainage.

Watering and Feeding Mums for Lasting Color

Mums like consistent moisture, especially while they’re blooming. In Cincinnati’s fall weather, that means watering when the top inch of soil feels dry — about every few days for container mums, and once or twice a week for those planted in the ground. (Be sure to adjust based on rainfall.)

Water at the base to keep the foliage dry and healthy. Overhead watering can lead to fungus or mildew, especially in cool, damp weather.

How to Keep Your Garden Mums Looking Great

As the flowers begin to open, remove faded blooms to encourage more buds and extend the show. Mums appreciate a little cleanup — it helps them channel energy into fresh flowers instead of seed production.

For an extra-polished look, add a layer of mulch around the base to hold moisture and keep soil temperatures even.

What to Do With Mums After Fall

In Cincinnati, most gardeners enjoy mums as annuals (we consider them annuals at Natorp’s), refreshing their porch or landscape each fall. However, with the proper care, some mums occasionally survive winter and return the following year.

Once frost arrives:

1. Cut stems back to about 4 inches tall.

2. Cover the base with a thick layer of mulch, straw, or leaves for insulation.

3. Leave the mulch in place throughout the winter, removing it in early spring when temperatures begin to warm up.

If your mums are in containers, move them into an unheated garage or sheltered spot to protect them from extreme cold. Water sparingly over winter — just enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely.

Shop Natorp’s Garden Mum Collection

Natorp’s offers an unmatched selection of garden mums grown locally in Cincinnati, Ohio, featuring hundreds of varieties in every color imaginable — from soft peach and pink to bold red, gold, and bronze. Each plant is bred to bloom beautifully throughout the Cincinnati fall season.

Whether you’re lining your walkway with color, filling porch containers, or creating a festive front yard display, Natorp’s Garden Mums are the perfect choice for local gardeners who want vibrant, easy-care fall flowers that thrive in our Ohio Valley climate.

Bring Home the Beauty of Fall

From the first crisp morning to the last colorful leaf, garden mums from Natorp’s make it easy to celebrate the season in full color. Treat them as annuals for guaranteed fall beauty, or give them the chance to return next year — either way, you’ll enjoy weeks of bold, cheerful blooms that make every Cincinnati garden shine.

See Natorp’s Mum Collection!