This month I want to talk about a plant you can find everywhere at this time of year, and one tied to a very particular occasion: the chrysanthemum, the flower traditionally brought to our departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day. It is a hardy plant, and it is always in bloom at this point in the year.
A perennial of the Asteraceae family, native to Asia, it has an upright, branching stem that grows from 20 to 80 cm tall, with alternate leaves of varying shape, often marked by an intense scent.
The flowers are daisy-like or shaped like a pompon, in shades ranging from white to yellow, orange, pink, red and purple, giving us a burst of colour from September to December, triggered by the shortening evening hours. It loves bright spots, withstands temperatures down to -20 °C and prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Water it regularly, but only once the soil has dried out. It does well in a pot or in the garden, and all it needs is light and a little love, like any plant.
Here is a small curiosity about the chrysanthemum, so that you can appreciate it even more: in the rest of the world (and it is high time Italy followed) it is regarded as a symbol of joy, longevity, vitality and nobility.
I am sure you will find a spot in your garden for this brightly coloured flower, but be careful: it is not pet-friendly and is toxic to dogs and cats, so place it somewhere safe.
Green Tip: as the first cold days arrive, colds are just around the corner. To clear the airways, try a steam inhalation with hot water, baking soda and chamomile (use the flowers, please): an old remedy that is still effective.
Column by Marina Boschetti, “The Green Witch”, for GN Magazine (November 2026).
Read more from GN – November 2026
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