November Flower of the Month: The Chrysanthemum
Written by DGM Flowers Co.
Short answer: The chrysanthemum, or mum, is the birth flower for November. It comes in almost every color except true blue, holds up well in a vase, and is one of the longest-lasting cut flowers you can buy. That makes it a natural fit for November birthdays, Thanksgiving tables and fall arrangements in Fort Lauderdale.
Each month at DGM Flowers we put one bloom in the spotlight. In September it was the aster. For November, it's the flower that fills our fall designs: the chrysanthemum.
A little history
Chrysanthemums were grown in China for well over a thousand years before they reached Europe, and they hold a special place in Japan, where the chrysanthemum is a symbol of the imperial family. The name comes from the Greek for "golden flower," a nod to the yellow varieties that came first. Today breeders have created thousands of varieties in every shape from tiny buttons to huge, shaggy blooms.
What chrysanthemums mean
Meanings change from culture to culture, and that's worth knowing before you send them.
In the U.S., mums are usually seen as cheerful flowers of friendship, joy and fall. They're a popular choice for birthdays and Thanksgiving.
Red mums are often linked with love, yellow with friendship and good cheer, and white with honesty and purity.
In parts of Europe and Asia, white chrysanthemums are closely associated with funerals and remembrance.
South Florida is home to families from all over the world. If you're sending flowers to someone from a culture where mums mean mourning, you may want a different flower for a birthday, or white mums specifically for a sympathy gift. If you're not sure, call us and we'll help you choose.
Mums in the garden vs. in a vase
The potted mums you see outside grocery stores in fall are garden mums, bred to be planted outdoors. The mums in our arrangements are florist mums, grown for long, strong stems and bred to last as cut flowers. In South Florida's heat, potted garden mums tend to be short-lived outdoors, so many people here enjoy mums as cut flowers instead.
Types of mums you'll see in arrangements
Florists use a handful of main types:
Disbud (football) mums: one big, round bloom per stem. They make a bold statement.
Spray mums: several smaller blooms on each stem. They fill out bouquets and centerpieces.
Button mums: small, tight, round blooms, great for texture.
Daisy mums: look like a daisy, with a center "eye" and a ring of petals.
Spider mums: long, thin, curled petals that look almost like fireworks.
Cremon and pompon mums: dense, round heads often used in bridal and event work.
Why mums work so well in Fort Lauderdale
November in Fort Lauderdale can still be warm. Plenty of cut flowers wilt fast in that heat, but mums are tough. With fresh water they often last two weeks or more in a vase, which is far longer than many popular flowers. They also handle air conditioning and the move from a car to a condo well. That's why you'll find them in so many of our fall and Thanksgiving designs.
How to keep your mums fresh
Trim the stems at an angle by about an inch when they arrive, and again every few days.
Pull off any leaves that would sit below the waterline. Leaves in the water rot and shorten vase life.
Change the water every two to three days, or top up the floral foam daily if your arrangement is in foam.
Keep it cool: away from direct sun, ovens, vents and fruit bowls. Ripening fruit gives off a gas that ages flowers faster.
Remove fading blooms so the rest of the arrangement stays looking fresh.
For more, see our flower care guide.
Mums for November birthdays and Thanksgiving
Mums show up in many of our fall designs, including the Gather 'Round Centerpiece (from $67.95), the Grateful Harvest Centerpiece (from $59.95), the Cornucopia (from $59.95), Fall Awakening (from $54.95), the Harvest Charm Bouquet (from $44.95) and the Hello Sunshine Bouquet (from $54.95). Browse the full Thanksgiving flowers collection for more fall designs.
Celebrating a November birthday? Our birthday flowers page has more ideas, and our same-day delivery guide explains how to get flowers there today. Orders placed by 2 PM Monday to Friday can go out the same day.
Want a design built around mums? Call us at (954) 884-0330 and ask about a custom arrangement; we're happy to build custom mum-focused orders.
Are mums safe for pets?
Chrysanthemums are considered toxic to cats and dogs. Eating them can cause stomach upset, drooling and other symptoms. Keep arrangements out of reach, and call your vet if a pet eats part of one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the birth flower for November?
The chrysanthemum is the main November birth flower.
How long do cut chrysanthemums last?
With fresh water, trimmed stems and a cool spot, cut mums often last two weeks or more, which makes them one of the longest-lasting cut flowers.
Are chrysanthemums appropriate for a birthday?
In the U.S., yes. Mums are seen as cheerful and friendly. In some European and Asian cultures, white mums are tied to funerals, so consider the recipient's background.
Are mums toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, they're considered toxic to pets. Keep them out of reach.
Can I get mums delivered in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Many of our fall and Thanksgiving arrangements include mums, and we deliver around Greater Fort Lauderdale. See our delivery area.
Happy November from DGM Flowers. Shop fall and Thanksgiving flowers or call (954) 884-0330, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
