Do Mums have to be put in the ground.

I’ve done them both ways. In the ground, they go dormant, then come back in the spring. If we have a hard winter, then don’t come back though. If our summer is really hot and dry, then also die completely. I live in Texas. I’ve had better luck with them in pots. They still go dormant in the winter, but come back in spring. The pot allows me to move them in the summer when it’s really hot!

I have had better luck in the ground. .I live in WV we get cold winter here. .mine seems to get root bound in the pots. .don't get that big. .when I put them in the ground they have more room to grow .you can grow either way. .I always say if it will grow in ground it will grow in pots. .ground they get bigger .happy gardening .

Probably because they became root bound and died. You need to repot them periodically. I have done both pots and in ground and for me, since I place them strategically, they do better in ground. I am in Zone 9 with blazing hot summers (100° here today), with relatively mild winters. If you choose to stick with pots, when you bring them home, repot immediately. Typically they are root bound and need more space to grow and survive. Also deadhead as the blooms become spent. Encourages new growth and more blooms.

I live in Tennessee and I put mine in the ground. They have come back every year for 3 years now. When the blooms start to die just pluck them off and mine will rebloom. They usually last until the snow comes.

Hell Kate,

Possibly.

I have had recent trouble getting mums to return the following year in my zone 7.

Mums purchased at big box hardware stores don't seem to care to return, I think some mums are meant for one season and labeled that way as annual, other varieties —do come back. I wonder if the disposable ones are more common- to encourage repurchase and profit as a marrketung strategy?

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/overwinter-fall-mums-indoors-71457.html

If your mums are in smaller containers (2" to 4") at purchase they need to be replanted into larger pots as soon as you get home, Chances are they will be root bound in the small starter pot. 12 inch hanging baskets work well. when the roots start showing up in the bottom water tray cut or remove the pot bottom and replant into 5 gallon buckets or into the flower bed outside. Make sure that you don't over water as this will cause root-rot issues and kill the plant.