Chrysanthemum

What does Chrysanthemum look like?

Chrysanthemum plants are mostly perennial herbs, sometimes small shrubs, with divided or toothed leaves. Their flowers are made up of many small florets grouped in heads, often surrounded by a single or multiple rows of larger petals. The blooms come in white, yellow, red, and purple, with flower shapes ranging from daisy-like to pompon and button forms. Some varieties have large, showy heads, while others are small and simple.

Where does Chrysanthemum come from?

Chrysanthemums are native to East Asia and northeastern Europe, with China as the main center of diversity. They have been cultivated in China since at least the 15th century BCE and later spread to Japan, where they became deeply rooted in culture and tradition. The genus was first described by Linnaeus in 1753. Over time, the classification of species has changed, but the most widely grown types trace back to Chinese and Japanese cultivation.

When and how Chrysanthemum blooms

Chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, with November as their peak in the northern hemisphere. They are grown from seeds or cuttings and thrive in well-drained soil and moderate climates. Thousands of cultivars exist, bred for flower size, shape, and color. In Japan, special techniques create large-flowered 'Ogiku' types and bonsai-like forms. Many are grown as garden plants, cut flowers, or for exhibitions.

How Chrysanthemum is used

People use chrysanthemums for decoration, in gardens, and as cut flowers. In China and Japan, they are central to autumn festivals and are symbols in art and poetry. White chrysanthemums are used for funerals in parts of Europe and East Asia. The flowers and leaves are also eaten or brewed as tea in East Asia, and some species are used in traditional medicine. The imperial family of Japan uses the chrysanthemum as its crest.

Kinds of Chrysanthemum

There are thousands of chrysanthemum cultivars, grouped by flower form into 13 divisions. Notable types include the large-flowered 'Ogiku' from Japan and many miniature forms. Some species once included in Chrysanthemum are now placed in other genera, such as Tanacetum and Argyranthemum. The most important hybrid for gardens and florists is Chrysanthemum × morifolium.

What Chrysanthemum means

Chrysanthemums are symbols of autumn, longevity, and nobility in China and Japan. In Europe, certain types are linked to mourning and used on graves. The flower is the emblem of the Japanese imperial family and features in many festivals, such as the Double Ninth Festival in China and Chrysanthemum Day in Japan. In the language of flowers, meanings vary by color and culture.

Where Chrysanthemum is used and seen

GarlandA string or braid of flowers, leaves, or other materials for decoration or ceremonyTếtVietnam's spring new year festival with flowers, family, and lucky customsParc Floral de la SourceA large public garden in Orléans built around the source of the Loiret riverBagh-e-JinnahA historic botanical garden and park in central Lahore, PakistanMakino Botanical GardenA botanical garden and museum in Kōchi, Japan, honouring Tomitaro MakinoChabanaSimple flower arrangements for the Japanese tea ceremonyKanzashiTraditional Japanese hair ornaments, often crafted as folded silk flowersImperial crest of JapanThe 16-petal chrysanthemum emblem of the Japanese emperor and imperial family

Traditions that use it

Where to see Chrysanthemum

🇮🇳 Mumbai · All yearDadar flower market at dawnMumbai's wholesale flower market beside Dadar station, at its busiest before the city has had breakfast. 🇮🇳 Bengaluru · All yearKR Market flower hallBengaluru's old city market, where the flower floor is best seen from the stairs above. 🇮🇳 Bengaluru · All yearLalbagh and its Glass House flower showsBengaluru's historic botanical garden, with big flower shows around Republic Day and Independence Day. 🇯🇵 Tokyo · Feb to NovShinjuku Gyoen through the seasonsA large former imperial garden in central Tokyo with a long cherry season and an autumn chrysanthemum show. 🇯🇵 Tokyo · All yearOta Market flower auctionJapan's biggest wholesale flower market, where early risers can watch the auction from a gallery. 🇯🇵 Kyoto · All yearAn ikebana lesson in KyotoLearn the basics of Japanese flower arranging in the city where the art took shape.

Days and festivals

Questions people ask about Chrysanthemum

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Chrysanthemum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data