Flower Library
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemum · Asteraceae
Chrysanthemums are the longest-lasting cut flowers there are — 2–3 weeks in the vase is standard, well-tended they can reach four weeks. They're cheaper than roses and now come in varieties that hold their own against any premium bloom.
- Season
- Year-round
- Vase life
- 14–21 days
- Latin name
- Chrysanthemum
- Colors
- White, Yellow, Bronze, Pink, Hot pink, Bordeaux, Green, Bicolor
Countless varieties: simple daisy, pompon (ball-shaped), anemone (light center, darker outer petals), decorative (lush double), spider chrysanthemum (long narrow petals). In recent years chrysanthemums have shed their funeral image — modern florists love them for their range.
They come as single (one large flower per stem) or spray (many smaller flowers branching). Sprays are the budget volume-builders for bouquets; singles — like Japanese ‘Allouise' or green ‘Anastasia' — are statement flowers.
Düsseldorf demand peaks in late autumn and around All Saints' Day, but we carry them year-round.
Is Chrysanthemums toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
Toxic to cats and dogs. Chrysanthemums contain sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins; ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling and skin irritation. Keep the vase out of reach of pets.
Typical symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhoea, increased drooling, incoordination and skin irritation.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle, strip lower leaves.
- 02Change vase water every 3–4 days — they're tough.
- 03Pull off wilted individual blooms — the rest carries on.
- 04Cool is good, but chrysanthemums tolerate warmth better than most cut flowers.
- 05Stems can be woody — if the water turns acidic, recut.
Frequently asked
- Are chrysanthemums really only funeral flowers?
- That association is regional — strong in Southern Germany, France and Italy, less so in Northern Germany and abroad. We use chrysanthemums regularly in wedding and event floristry.
- How long do chrysanthemums actually last?
- With clean care, 2–3 weeks — longer than nearly any other cut flower. Even after the first blooms fade, the rest often carries on.
- Are chrysanthemums toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. Chrysanthemums contain sesquiterpene lactones and pyrethrins and are considered toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling and skin irritation — cats are the more sensitive. Keep the vase out of reach of pets.
- When are chrysanthemums in season?
- The natural peak is late summer and autumn, August to November — demand is highest around All Saints' Day. Thanks to greenhouse cultivation in the Netherlands and imports, we carry them year-round.