Flower Glossary: Spider Mums

Getting their name from their appearance, Spider Mums have long, tube-like petals that sit freely and loosely like spider legs atop stems. This hardy mum is a species of the chrysanthemum genus and is widely known around the world. The chrysanthemum originated in China, and spider mums were thought to have originated there as well. They are a member of the Asteraceae family and are a perennial plant.

Attracting birds, bees and butterflies, the spider mum is not thought of as a hard plant to care for, though it is not regarded as an easy plant to care for either. Whether planting from a seed or from a bud form, do not plant the spider mum very deep. Their roots are shallow, so they don’t need to be too far down in the soil. When planting, choose a location that will allow the plants partial sunlight, about 6-8 hours per day. Spider mums, like other chrysanthemums, like the rough, but loose soil that drains well. They also like their soil to be kept moist, but not overly saturated. Once planted, apply a fertilizer to this flower often. These flowers need a lot of nutrients to grow strong and healthy. Upon success, you will see a large flower head that reaches about 6 inches wide, blooming in colors of white, pale green, purple, yellow and many more.

Spider mums are one of the most popular chrysanthemums used in weddings today. Florists love them for this type of occasion because of their meaning. If a bride carries them in any color, it means liveliness, but if they are white they represent purity and truth. In Europe, the spider mum is most commonly associated with death. Here, they are usually taken to gravesites to remember the dead. It is also thought around the world that if one were to receive a bouquet of spider mums, it sends the message to the recipient of “elope with me”. In China, the spider mum symbolizes honorableness. No matter what the reason is to send the spider mum, it is good to know they can last as long as 3 weeks after being cut with regular fresh water and a little sunlight.