Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum Dana = 'Yodana' (25b)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Hard-care

ABOUT

The Chrysanthemum Dana, commonly known as 'Yodana', is a strikingly beautiful plant characterized by its vibrant, flamboyant flowers. The blooms have a unique appearance, typically showcasing a rich array of colors that blend seamlessly together, creating an eye-catching display. Each flower comprises numerous petals that are densely packed, offering a full and lush look. These petals may have a velvety texture and can exhibit shades that range from pale pastels to deep, saturate hues. At the center of the flowers, a contrasting color often highlights the intricate patterns and draws attention to the core. The foliage of 'Yodana' is equally impressive, with leaves that are broad and deep green, providing a perfect backdrop for the vivid floral display. The leaves can have a glossy sheen and may vary in shape, but they consistently contribute to the overall aesthetic of the plant through their healthy and robust appearance. These features combined make the Chrysanthemum Dana a popular choice for adding a splash of color to gardens and decorative arrangements.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Asteraceae
- Synonyms
  Garden Mum, Florist's Daisy
- Common names
  Chrysanthemum Dana = 'Yodana' (25b)
Toxicity
- To humans
  Chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums, are not highly toxic to humans, but they can cause mild irritation when handled or ingested. If a person eats any part of a chrysanthemum, they may experience symptoms such as dermatitis, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Skin contact with the plant can sometimes cause an allergic reaction or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
- To pets
  Chrysanthemums, also known as mums, are toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. If a pet ingests any part of a chrysanthemum plant, they can experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, incoordination, and dermatitis. These symptoms are due to the presence of pyrethrins and other compounds in the plant that can be harmful to animals. In severe cases, the ingestion of chrysanthemums can lead to more serious conditions like tremors or seizures, and veterinary care should be sought immediately.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Varies
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  1-3 feet (30-90 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5-9
- Native area
  Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Decorative Value: Chrysanthemums provide vibrant and diverse colors, making them a popular choice for decorative purposes and aesthetic enhancement in gardens and floral arrangements.
- Long Bloom Period: They have a relatively long flowering period that extends from late summer into the autumn, offering extended beauty in the landscape or garden.
- Pest Resistant: Chrysanthemums are known for their natural resistance to many types of pests, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, these plants exhibit some degree of drought resistance, making them suitable for gardens in drier climates.
- Versatility: They can be used in a variety of garden settings, such as borders, containers, and as cut flowers in bouquets.
- Ease of Care: Chrysanthemums are generally easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance, which makes them suitable for novice gardeners.
- Cultural Significance: Chrysanthemums have significant cultural importance in many countries, symbolizing longevity and joy, and are often used in festive celebrations.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Aquarium decoration: After treating to avoid pests and diseases, dried chrysanthemum foliage can add a natural and decorative touch to aquariums.
- Photographic subject: Chrysanthemums are popular among photographers for macro photography due to their intricate petal structures and vibrant colors.
- Artistic inspiration: The intricate blooms of chrysanthemums can inspire patterns and designs in various art forms such as painting, textiles, or ceramics.
- Edible garnish: While avoiding the use of pesticides, the petals of some chrysanthemum varieties can be used to garnish salads and desserts.
- Natural dye: Chrysanthemum petals can be used to create a natural dye for fabrics, offering a range of colors from yellow to green depending on the mordant used.
- Plant dye for Easter eggs: The natural pigments in chrysanthemum petals can be used to dye Easter eggs as a non-toxic alternative to synthetic dyes.
- Herbal sachets: Dried chrysanthemum petals can be placed in sachets to impart a pleasant aroma to drawers and closets.
- Bookmark creation: Pressed chrysanthemum flowers can make beautiful and unique bookmarks.
- Flavor infusion: Some culinary practices use chrysanthemum petals to infuse flavor into syrups, sugars, or teas for a subtle floral taste.
- Craft materials: The petals and leaves of chrysanthemums can be used in scrapbooking and other paper crafts for added texture and color.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Chrysanthemum is used in Feng Shui for promoting happiness and relaxation. Positioning Chrysanthemums in the living room is believed to encourage a sense of calm and balance in the space.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Chrysanthemum is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Longevity and Immortality: Chrysanthemums have a strong association with long life and immortality due to their ability to bloom into the late fall, beyond the lifespan of many other flowers, symbolizing the triumph of life over death.
- Rejuvenation and Recovery: They represent the power of healing and bouncing back, as the flower is often linked with the theme of regeneration.
- Joy and Optimism: The bright and varied colors of chrysanthemums convey cheerfulness, making them symbols of happiness and the ability to look on the bright side of life.
- Nobility and Virtue: In many cultures, particularly in Asia, chrysanthemums are seen as symbols of nobility and elegance, often associated with aristocracy and refinement.
- Love and Affection: A red chrysanthemum signifies love and deep passion, conveying a message of romantic attachment.
- Friendship: Given in friendship, especially the non-red varieties, chrysanthemums represent the sharing of honest and deep connections between friends.
- Loyalty and Devotion: The flower's unfolding petals symbolize the gradual unfolding of emotions that lead to a loyal and devoted relationship.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

60%

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Mums, including the Chrysanthemum 'Yodana', prefer evenly moist soil, so it’s important to water them regularly. Aim to water them with approximately 1 inch of water per week, but be mindful of rainfall and adjust accordingly. During hot spells or if you notice the leaves drooping, you may need to water them more frequently. It's best to water these plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease. Always make sure the potting soil is well-draining to prevent root rot from overwatering.
Light
Mums thrive best in locations where they can enjoy full sunlight for at least six hours a day. A spot with direct morning sunlight and some afternoon shade is ideal to encourage prolific blooming while protecting the plants from the harsh afternoon sun. If the light is too low, the plants may become leggy and produce fewer flowers.
Temperature
Mums do well in a range of temperatures, but they prefer conditions that are not too extreme. They can survive minimum temperatures down to 20°F, but for ideal growth, keep the Chrysanthemum 'Yodana' in temperatures between 60°F and 70°F during the day and not below 50°F at night. Sudden drops in temperature or frost can damage the plant, so it's crucial to protect them from cold snaps.
Pruning
Pruning mums, like the Chrysanthemum 'Yodana', is necessary to maintain their shape and encourage more blooms. Pinch back the tips of the stems in the early summer to promote bushier growth and more flowers. It's best to do this before the plant starts setting its buds, typically by mid-July. Regularly remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage continuous blooming.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Mums prefer well-draining soil with high organic matter. A mix of peat, compost, and perlite or vermiculite makes an ideal soil blend. The best soil pH for mums, including Chrysanthemum 'Yodana', is slightly acidic to neutral, in the range of 6.5 to 6.8.
Repotting
Mums, like Chrysanthemum 'Yodana', should be repotted every one to two years. Repot in spring before the growing season or after flowering is over to allow the plant to establish in its new container.
Humidity & Misting
Mums, such as Chrysanthemum 'Yodana', thrive at moderate humidity levels around 40-60%. They don't require high humidity but should not be placed in extremely dry environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place mum in bright indirect light, keep soil moist, and provide good air circulation.
- Outdoor
  Plant mums in direct sunlight and protect from strong winds for best results.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of the Chrysanthemum 'Yodana', also commonly known as Mum, begins with seed germination, where the plant emerges from a seed under appropriate conditions of temperature and moisture. It then grows into a seedling, developing true leaves and roots as it prepares for vegetative growth. During the vegetative stage, the plant develops a robust foliage system and an extensive root network to support flowers later on. This leads to the budding stage, where flower buds form and start to show color. The blossoming stage follows, showcasing the plant's vibrant flowers that attract pollinators, crucial for the reproductive phase. Finally, once pollination occurs, the plant produces seeds that complete the life cycle, and it then enters a period of dormancy, particularly in colder climates, to survive adverse conditions until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Chrysanthemum Dana, commonly referred to as mums, can be easily propagated through the method of stem cuttings, particularly in spring and early summer when the plants are in the active growth phase. To propagate by stem cuttings, gardeners should select a healthy, non-flowering shoot and cut a piece about 4 to 6 inches long using a sharp, clean pair of scissors or pruning shears. The lower leaves are then removed, leaving only a few at the top. Dipping the cut end in rooting hormone can encourage root development, though it's not strictly necessary. The prepared cutting should be inserted into a mix of peat and perlite or a well-draining potting mix, ensuring at least two nodes are below the soil surface. The cutting should be kept moist and in indirect light until roots have developed, which typically takes about 2 to 3 weeks. Once robust roots are established, the new plant can be transferred to a larger pot or planted directly in the garden.