Key Points
Yellowing leaves, wilting despite wet soil, and early leaf drop are signs your mums are overwatered.Overwatering in fall is common because cooler weather slows evaporation, leaving roots soggy.Since these symptoms can mimic pest problems, check for webbing, speckles, or insects before adjusting your watering routine.
Mums are lovely late bloomers in the fall and relatively easy to care for. It enjoys consistent moisture, but like any plant, you want to make sure it doesn’t have too much moisture.
“Overwatering can become a real issue in the fall,” says Tabar Gifford, a master gardener and partnership cultivator at American Meadows. “Cooler temperatures and shorter days mean less evaporation, so soil stays wetter longer.”
So, what are the signs that you’re overwatering your mums? We talked to gardening experts about the symptoms it may cause—and what they could be potentially confused for, like invasive pests.
Meet the Expert
Tabar Gifford is a master gardener and partnership cultivator at American Meadows.
Amy McCord is the founder and CEO of Flower Moxie, which sells DIY flower kits and bouquet tutorials.
Yellowing Leaves
The gardening experts point out that yellowing leaves, especially at the bottom of the plant, will be your first warning sign that the mums are in distress, likely from overwatering.
If you spot these types of leaves, she suggests halting any more watering.
“When it comes to mums, overwatering is one of the easiest mistakes to make,” says Amy McCord, the founder and CEO of Flower Moxie. “If the soil feels soggy and the leaves are yellow, allow the plant to dry out.”
She notes that “when a mum is overwatered, the plant can become stressed, stunted, or die.”
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Wilting With Wet Soil
Sometimes you’ll notice that the mums’ soil is moist, but the plant itself is still wilting. Experts say this is another major sign that the mums are receiving too much hydration.
“When overwatering, the roots can suffocate and cannot pull in oxygen,” McCord says. “So if there’s wilting while the soil is damp, that’s a telltale sign.”
Gifford pointed out that yellowing leaves can also indicate an infestation of spider mites or nutrient deficiencies in the plant.
“If the yellowing is uniform and widespread, it’s usually from water,” she says. “If I see tiny speckles or webbing, I suspect mites instead.”
Stunted Growth
If you’re seeing fewer buds emerge from your mums, that could also be a sign of overwatering. Overwatering would stop the plant’s roots from receiving enough oxygen, Gifford says, causing the mums to grow slowly or not as well.
“When the roots are suffocating from overwatering, the energy for flowers is reduced so the plant will not produce as many buds,” McCord says.
However, it’s important to note that it could indicate an infestation of pests, like aphids or thrips. McCord recommends checking the plant for tiny insects or sticky residue on the buds.
Leaf Drop
Some shedding of leaves on a plant can be normal, but leaves falling a bit too early can be another sign that mums are receiving too much water. Experts say that when the roots are overwatered, the plant can’t move nutrients effectively and it will begin to drop leaves to conserve energy.
McCord has also seen leaf drop caused by spider mites and suggests looking for webs or speckles underneath the leaves. “If the leaves are smooth and yellow, it’s due to water stress,” she says.
Mold on the Soil Surface
Make sure to check your soil for a visible symptom of overwatering: white or fuzzy mold on the surface. Too much moisture can lead to mold or fungus growth.
“If the fuzzy mold only grows on top of the soil and not on the leaves, the issue is with moisture,” McCord says.
However, experts say these growths can also be caused by poor air circulation or crowding. Spread your potted mums out a little to increase air circulation.
Mushy or Blackened Stems
Gifford instructs to look for stems that feel soft or turn dark at the base.
“Overwatering often causes this,” she says, noting that fungal stem rot can look similar. “Either way, I trim back damaged areas, improve drainage, and make sure I’m watering at the base of the plant, not from above.”
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