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How to Grow Autumn Mum 'White Coconut Ice'

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Autumn Mum 'White Coconut Ice'

Chrysanthemum × morifolium 'White Coconut Ice'

flower

White Coconut Ice is a showy fall-blooming mum cultivar with large, pure white double flowers that resemble pompoms or dahlias. This hardy perennial is prized for its prolific flowering and excellent garden performance in autumn gardens. It typically grows 18-24 inches tall and blooms abundantly from late summer through fall frost.

Looking for a specific variety?

White Coconut Ice Sunny Branberoe Sheffield Pink Autumn Moon Burgundy Savill Grandchild Series

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Example Autumn Mum 'White Coconut Ice' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Autumn Mum 'White Coconut Ice'

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Autumn Mum 'White Coconut Ice' blooms

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Autumn Mum 'White Coconut Ice' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; afternoon shade in hotter zones helps preserve white color
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Water: Keep consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season; water at soil level in morning to prevent fungal issues. Reduce watering after blooming begins.
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Spacing: 18-24 inches
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Days to maturity: 90-120 days from transplant to first flowers
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Planting depth: Transplants at same depth as nursery pot; seeds 1/8 inch deep

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
Compost peat moss perlite or coarse sand for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-8; hardy to zone 3

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Establishment

4-6 weeks

Young transplants develop roots and establish branching structure

Keep soil consistently moist; pinch back growing tips when 6 inches tall to encourage bushy, compact growth. Continue pinching until mid-July for fuller plants.

2

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Plant develops dense foliage and multiple stems; leaves are deeply lobed and finely textured

Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10). Maintain consistent moisture and support with stakes if needed. Continue pinching back until early August for maximum branching.

3

Bud Formation

3-4 weeks

Flower buds begin forming in leaf axils; plant transitions from vegetative to reproductive phase

Stop pinching and fertilizing; switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (5-10-10) if feeding. Reduce nitrogen to encourage flowers over foliage.

4

Flowering

6-8 weeks

Large, double white pompom flowers open progressively from bud clusters, creating showy display

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Reduce watering slightly. Avoid overhead watering to keep white petals clean. Protect from heavy rain and wind.

5

Post-Bloom

Varies by location

Flowers fade; plant begins senescence as temperatures drop below freezing

Cut back after hard frost or in early spring to 4-6 inches. In fall-planted mums, protect with mulch in northern zones for winter survival and spring regrowth.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Sedum Aster Ornamental grasses (Panicum, Miscanthus) Russian sage Coneflower Black-eyed Susan Goldenrod Lamb's ear

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Wormwood Plants requiring constant moisture (mums prefer drier conditions than hydrangeas or ferns)

Common Pests

  • Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation to reduce dry conditions they favor

  • Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; introduce ladybugs; apply neem oil in early morning or evening

  • Hand-pick in early morning; use pheromone traps nearby (not on plants); apply neem oil; encourage natural predators

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil; improve air circulation

  • Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; spray with sulfur or fungicidal soap at first sign; remove infected leaves

  • Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; use well-draining soil; remove and discard affected plants

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers

Culinary

While decorative mums like 'White Coconut Ice' are not typically consumed, culinary chrysanthemum species are used in Asian cuisines and herbal teas. Some growers use pesticide-free ornamental mum petals as garnishes. [source]

🏠

Cut Flower Arrangements

Household

Excellent for fresh flower arrangements, bouquets, and floral design due to their long vase life (2-3 weeks) and availability during fall season. Popular for weddings, events, and home décor in September through November. [source]

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Dried Flowers

Craft

Can be dried by hanging upside-down in a dark, airy location for use in dried arrangements, wreaths, and crafts. The double flowers maintain form well when dried, creating long-lasting decorative elements. [source]

🦋

Pollinator Support

Wildlife

While double-flowered cultivars like 'White Coconut Ice' have reduced pollen availability compared to single varieties, they still attract late-season butterflies, bees, and other pollinators when nectar is scarce in fall. [source]

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Garden Color

Household

Provides brilliant white flower color to fall landscapes, extending garden interest through October and November when many other perennials have faded. Excellent for containers, borders, and mass plantings. [source]

Harvest Tips

Cut flowers in early morning when stems are turgid; cut just above a leaf node to encourage branching. Mums make excellent cut flowers lasting 2-3 weeks in a vase. For garden display, deadhead faded blooms to extend flowering season. Pinch individual spent flower heads or cut back entire stem clusters once most flowers have faded.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Chrysanthemums are the November birth flower and hold special significance in Asian cultures, particularly Japan where chrysanthemum festivals (kiku matsuri) celebrate the flower with elaborate displays and competitions.
  • 🌱 The name 'Chrysanthemum' comes from Greek words 'chrysos' (gold) and 'anthemon' (flower), though 'White Coconut Ice' demonstrates how selective breeding has expanded the color range far beyond the original golden hues.
  • 🌱 Garden mums grown as fall annuals are often fall-planted and treated as disposable in northern climates, but if properly cut back in spring and given winter mulch protection, they can survive winter and regrow as reliable perennials for 3-5 years.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Deadhead Full Sun Mulch Perennial pH Pinch Back Transplant
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