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Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' (Emperor of China Chrysanthemum) care

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China'

Also called Emperor of China Chrysanthemum, Old Clove Pink Mum, Rubellum Chrysanthemum.

RHS H6USDA 5-9Toxic to petsIndoor 90-120 cm tall

Watering rhythm

7days

When the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7 days

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Well-draining, humus-rich loam

Humidity

40-60%

Temp

5-18°C

Pet safety

Toxic to pets

Mature size

90-120 cm tall

Care at a glance

Light

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Thrives in full sun; its notably late flowering season benefits from the maximum available light in autumn. Can tolerate light shade but flowering will be reduced and delayed further. Often used to extend the garden colour season into December in mild climates. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7 days. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Water consistently from spring through late autumn. Reduce watering as temperatures drop. This is one of the later-flowering chrysanthemums so keep plants adequately watered well into autumn.

Soil and pot

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' grows best in well-draining, humus-rich loam. Plant in a sheltered, well-drained position to prevent winter root rot. Enrich soil with compost before planting. This heirloom variety is typically grown on its own roots, not grafted, and appreciates a deeply prepared bed. pH 6.0-7.0. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 5-18°C (41-65°F). Average outdoor humidity is acceptable. Late-season blooms may be damaged by prolonged autumn rain; grow in a sheltered spot or provide light protection with fleece during wet spells to preserve flowers. If you keep the room above 5 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' sparingly. Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring until buds form, then apply a high-potassium liquid feed fortnightly to support late-season bloom quality. Stop feeding in late autumn. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Aphids — Common on new growth in late summer; treat early with insecticidal soap to prevent spread to flower buds before they open.
  • Botrytis on late blooms — Cool, damp autumn conditions favour grey mould; improve airflow and remove spent or damaged blooms promptly.
  • Crown rot — Excessive winter moisture is the main threat; ensure good drainage and apply a protective bark mulch over the crown after the top growth dies back.
  • Leaf spot — Brown spots with yellow margins in wet summers; remove affected lower leaves and avoid wetting foliage when watering.
  • Vine weevil — Larvae damage roots, especially in lighter soils; apply biological nematode treatment in late summer as a preventive measure.

Companion plants

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' pairs well with Aster lateriflorus, Pennisetum, Schizostylis, and Nerine. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Divide clumps in spring every 2-3 years to maintain flowering vigour. Take 7-10 cm basal cuttings in spring; root in free-draining compost at 15°C. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' is toxic to pets. Chrysanthemums are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of any plant part can cause gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, and dermatitis; pyrethrins and sesquiterpene lactones are the primary compounds of concern. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China'?

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' is most commonly called Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China', but it is also known as Emperor of China Chrysanthemum, Old Clove Pink Mum, Rubellum Chrysanthemum. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' apply identically to anything sold as Emperor of China Chrysanthemum.

How much light does chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' need?

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Thrives in full sun; its notably late flowering season benefits from the maximum available light in autumn. Can tolerate light shade but flowering will be reduced and delayed further. Often used to extend the garden colour season into December in mild climates.

How often should I water chrysanthemum 'emperor of china'?

Water chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry, roughly every 7 days. Water consistently from spring through late autumn. Reduce watering as temperatures drop. This is one of the later-flowering chrysanthemums so keep plants adequately watered well into autumn. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' toxic to cats and dogs?

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' is toxic to pets. Chrysanthemums are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion of any plant part can cause gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, and dermatitis; pyrethrins and sesquiterpene lactones are the primary compounds of concern.

What USDA hardiness zone does chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' grow in?

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' is rated for USDA zone 5-9 and RHS hardiness H6. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of chrysanthemum 'emperor of china' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Chrysanthemum 'Emperor of China' is also known as Emperor of China Chrysanthemum, Old Clove Pink Mum, and Rubellum Chrysanthemum.