Hi, do mums have to be planted in the ground or can they stay in pots.

They can be in pots as well as the ground for the fall.

for annual fall color, leave in the pots, just be sure to keep them well watered ... but not sitting in water.. place around your entrance, deck, etc. for color, then toss when the season is over ...

I always plant mine outside with no pots and they come back every year and thrive. I live where winters are REALLY cold so they rest all winter.

There's no right or wrong answer here. Yes you can do both. If for the garden, if kept in their pots, they will be more visible from the street and does look pretty, especially if they are large. You can plant some and this way will have some dimension, just leave the ones in the pots towards the back of the garden.

Do Both! Decorate your porch or yard while in their pots, then plant them before it turns too cold. They are perennials sooo Next year you will have them, plus any more that you Buy in pots again! Just make sure that you keep them watered well while in the pots. Once they are planted they are Super tough and only need to be watered in drought! Enjoy!

After the first frost I put mine in ground .yes they will come back. .you have a lot of good answer. .so a lot of people grow mums. .happy fall .