10 Best Chrysanthemums Companion Plants

A mound of vibrantly colored chrysanthemums is a quintessential fall scene, and while you'll often find them potted on a front porch, you can also plant them in your garden among companion plants to guarantee a lush bloom. These cheerful flowers put on a show as soon as the weather goes from hot and humid to cool and mild, and they pair beautifully with other plants that thrive in the same autumn weather.

One way to make sure they thrive is to practice companion planting, a method of growing friendly plants close to one another so they can mutually benefit each other, like helping to repel pests or improve soil structure. We asked an expert to explain why—and how—chrysanthemums (aka mums) can benefit from companion planting, plus which plants you should grow together.

Ali McEnhill, owner and propagator at The Old Dairy Nursery & Gardens

Why You Should Companion Plant With Chrysanthemums

Many companion chrysanthemum plants will thrive in the same full sun and moist soil conditions while attracting additional pollinators and repelling aphids, one of chrysanthemum's biggest enemies. Others help break up the soil with their roots so mums can get their regular drink of water without venturing into soggy soil territory.

"Chrysanthemums are tough, easy to care for, and provide a much-needed burst of color at the end of the year, and I like to plant them with other fall-blooming perennials that enjoy moist, well-drained soil," says Ali McEnhill, owner and propagator at The Old Dairy Nursery & Gardens.

"Never pair chrysanthemums with chrysanthemums. A row of them would be susceptible to rust," says McEnhill.

01 of 10

Chives

Aphids are some of the most obnoxious tiny pests you can find in your garden, and they'll wreak havoc on your mums if given the opportunity. Luckily, aphids are deterred by the onion-like smell of chives and will stay away from your chrysanthemums if you pair them near chives.

Zone: 3 to 9
Mature size: 10 to 15 inches tall x 10 to 15 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; loamy, sandy soil; drought-tolerant

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02 of 10

Coneflower

These charming blooms have deep-reaching roots that will help break up and aerate the soil for your mums, who prefer a well-draining environment. They're also great for pollinators. "Coneflowers call in the pollinators from mid-summer through late fall," says McEnhill. "Look for species plants or older, traditionally colored pink varieties."

Zone: 4 to 9
Mature size: 24 inches tall
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, loamy soil; water every other day until established

03 of 10

Aster

Colorful asters do well in the same full autumn sun as chrysanthemums, so they'll grow beautifully together in your garden. You'll find asters in rich jewel tones of purple, pink, blue, and white, which add a cool accent to the warm shades of mums. Plus, asters can help repel aphids.

Zone: 3 to 8
Mature size: 1 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loamy, well-draining soil; water regularly during blooming season

04 of 10

Goldenrod

Another fall friend of the chrysanthemum is the goldenrod, which provides a bright yellow accent to mums in the garden. "'Golden Baby' is a compact cultivar of common native goldenrod that is very easy to work into the garden," says McEnhill. "It bears hundreds of bright yellow, pollinator-attracting flowers from July to September. The golden panicles perfectly complement cheery chrysanthemum blooms." Plus, she points out that goldenrod enjoys the same conditions as most chrysanthemums.

Zone: 2 to 8
Mature size: 1.5 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial sun; well-draining soil, water weekly until established

05 of 10

Culver's Root

"Culver's Root is an extremely showy and disease-resistant United States native that is perfect for adding vertical lines, texture, and color to the late summer border," says McEnhill. "The strong vertical silhouette and muted color of this plant is the perfect foil to the bushy shape and bright color of most chrysanthemums."

Zone: 3 to 9
Mature size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial sun; moist, well-draining soil; water regularly

06 of 10

Yarrow

Another enemy of mums is the two-spotted spider mite, which will attack its leaves. But some ladybugs will devour these spider mites, and yarrow attracts ladybugs. Yarrow blooms from mid-late summer through early fall, just in time to bring in the ladybugs to stave off the mites.

Zone: 3 to 9
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, sandy, clay, loamy soil; drought-tolerant

07 of 10

Marigolds

Not only do marigolds echo the gorgeous autumnal color of chrysanthemums, but they also attract helpful insects. Parasitic wasps, which sound scarier than they are, often find their way to marigold plants. These wasps will attack the chrysanthemum leafminer, a pest that will destroy the leaves of a mum.

Zone: 2 to 11
Mature size: 5 inches to 4 feet tall
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil; water daily until established, then water weekly

08 of 10

Sedum

Sedum is a popular groundcover plant with warm pink blooms that fill a fall garden with color. Because they also do well in full sun, they're a beautiful seasonal complement to chrysanthemums. Together, the flowering plants will attract swarms of helpful pollinators.

Zone: 3 to 10
Mature size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial sun; well-draining, sandy, loamy soil; water weekly until established

09 of 10

Dill

Dill and chrysanthemums both enjoy the same full sun, moist soil conditions, and they also attract insects that are enemies of each other's biggest pests. Dill attracts ladybugs, which will eat the spider mites that attack mums. Meanwhile, mums ward off many of the bugs that will pester dill.

Zone: 2 to 11
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-draining soil; water regularly to keep soil moist

10 of 10

Autumn Sage

Autumn sage is another fall flower that blooms in, as the name indicates, autumn. The colors—pink, purple, orange, and red—are stunning against the mums. And, together, these two blooms will bring in all the pollinators to your garden.