Indian chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum indicum, family Asteraceae
A yellow or white-flowered chrysanthemum native to China
Indian chrysanthemum is a flowering plant from China, growing up to a metre tall with yellow or white blooms. Its flowers and young leaves are used in tea, salads, and pickles, and it is grown both in temperate and tropical regions.
- Blooms from August to October with yellow or white flowers
- Native to China, including Shanghai and Fujian
- Flowers and young leaves are edible and used in tea and salads
- Can grow in a range of soils and climates
- Tolerates cold down to −10°C
What does Indian chrysanthemum look like?
Indian chrysanthemum is a bushy plant that can reach about 1 metre in height and 0.6 metres across. It produces daisy-like flowers, which are either yellow or white, and has yellow pollen. The plant grows upright with branching stems and green leaves. Its flowers appear from late summer into autumn, and both the flower heads and young leaves are used in food and drink.
Where does Indian chrysanthemum come from?
Chrysanthemum indicum is native to China, including regions such as Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, and the Zhoushan Archipelago. It grows naturally in sunny outdoor locations with moist soil. Over time, it has been cultivated outside its native range, especially in Southeast Asia, where it adapts well to local conditions. The plant belongs to the genus Chrysanthemum and the family Asteraceae.
When and how Indian chrysanthemum blooms
This chrysanthemum blooms from August to October. It prefers full sun and moist soil, but can grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soils, and tolerates a range of soil pH. It can withstand cold down to −10°C. Seeds are sown from late summer to autumn, and germinate in about two weeks at 15°C. The plant is grown both in temperate and tropical climates.
How Indian chrysanthemum is used
The flower heads are pickled in vinegar, and the flowers are commonly used to make chrysanthemum tea. Young leaves can be steeped or cooked, and petals are sometimes blanched for salads or other dishes. The plant is valued for its edible parts and is often grown in gardens for both its appearance and culinary uses.
What Indian chrysanthemum means
Chrysanthemum indicum is grown for its edible flowers and leaves, which are used in drinks and food. While the sources do not mention any particular symbolism or festival use, its cultivation in China and Southeast Asia reflects its place in local food traditions.
Where Indian chrysanthemum is used and seen
TếtVietnam's spring new year festival with flowers, family, and lucky customs
Flower powerA 1960s protest style using flowers as symbols of peace and resistance
GosekkuFive seasonal festivals once held at the Japanese imperial court
Parc Floral de la SourceA large public garden in Orléans built around the source of the Loiret river
Bagh-e-JinnahA historic botanical garden and park in central Lahore, Pakistan
Makino Botanical GardenA botanical garden and museum in Kōchi, Japan, honouring Tomitaro Makino
ChabanaSimple flower arrangements for the Japanese tea ceremony
GarlandA string or braid of flowers, leaves, or other materials for decoration or ceremonyQuestions people ask about Indian chrysanthemum
Where does Indian chrysanthemum come from?
Indian chrysanthemum is native to China, including areas like Shanghai, Fujian, Guangdong, and the Zhoushan Archipelago. It is also cultivated in other parts of Asia.
What does Indian chrysanthemum look like?
It is a bushy plant up to 1 metre tall, with yellow or white daisy-like flowers and yellow pollen. The plant has green leaves and blooms in late summer and autumn.
How is Indian chrysanthemum used?
The flowers are pickled or used to make chrysanthemum tea. Young leaves can be cooked or steeped, and petals are sometimes added to salads. It is valued for its edible parts.
When does Indian chrysanthemum flower?
It usually blooms from August to October, producing its yellow or white flowers during the autumn season.
Is Indian chrysanthemum easy to grow?
It can be grown in a variety of soils, tolerates different pH levels, and withstands temperatures as low as −10°C. It is cultivated in both temperate and tropical regions.
Good reading and sources
- Chrysanthemum indicumRoyal Horticultural Society, 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 indicum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chrysanthemum indicum", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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