We all know mums are the staple fall plant in New England. From gigantic displays to small hanging baskets, we see mums in a rainbow of colors garnishing homes from now through December.

Here are a few basics to know about mums, we hope these tips will help you keep your mums looking fresh for a longer this season.

Mums will last until a “hard frost”. We consider a hard frost to be a period of at least four consecutive hours of air temperatures that are below 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4°C). To help your mums when a hard frost or even a light frost is predicted you can cover them with a blanket or cloth, this will help protect them.

 Mums like full sun, so try to place them in an area that will give them the sunlight they desire.

When the weather is warmer they need to be watered daily. As daily temperatures get cooler they can be watered less frequently, we recommend every other day.

 Mums can come back year after year if they are planted in a sheltered area, however in our zone they are most commonly treated as an annual plant.