Not everyone is a professionally trained florist, and that is exactly what makes spider mums so perfect for DIY arranging. These beautiful, dramatic blooms are forgiving, long-lasting, and incredibly easy to work with. Whether you are making a centerpiece for a dinner party, a casual beach wedding, a holiday gathering, or simply a fresh arrangement to brighten your home, this step-by-step tutorial will have you creating something stunning in minutes.
About Spider Mums
Spider mums, also known as Anastasia flowers, are the largest member of the hardy chrysanthemum family. They get their name from their distinctive long, spidery petals that radiate outward in a full, dramatic bloom. Spider mums are one of the best values in fresh cut flowers because they last several weeks when purchased farm-direct, far longer than many other varieties. They come in a wide range of colors from crisp white and natural green to deep burgundy, soft lavender, bronze, and more.
We love spider mums because they make a gorgeous, economical alternative to larger focal flowers like peonies or garden roses, and they look stunning in any season. Browse Bloomingmore's full selection of spider mums and spider mum varieties to find the colors that speak to you.
More Ways to Use Spider Mums
Once you get comfortable with the hand-tie technique, the possibilities are truly endless. Spider mums are one of the most versatile flowers you can work with, and they shine in every setting and occasion:
- Simple event centerpieces: A hand-tied spider mum arrangement placed in a vase is one of the easiest and most cost-effective centerpieces you can create for any event, from birthday dinners and baby showers to corporate gatherings and holiday parties. Make several in the same color palette for a cohesive, professional tablescape without the florist price tag.
- Bouquet gifts: Wrap your finished hand-tied arrangement in kraft paper or tissue with a ribbon and you have a beautiful, personal floral gift for any occasion. Birthdays, thank-yous, congratulations, just because. A hand-tied spider mum bouquet makes a stunning and thoughtful gift that anyone would be thrilled to receive.
- Home decor: You do not need a special occasion to have fresh flowers at home. A simple spider mum arrangement on your kitchen table, entryway console, bathroom counter, or bedroom nightstand brings life, color, and fragrance to any room. Change up the color combination with the seasons and your home always feels fresh and intentional.
- Wedding and event decor: Use spider mum arrangements as ceremony aisle markers, cocktail table accents, gift table displays, or bar decor. Their long vase life means you can arrange them a day or two ahead without worry.
- Hostess gifts: Arriving at a dinner party or holiday gathering with a hand-tied spider mum bouquet wrapped in paper is always a memorable, generous gesture that requires far less effort than it looks.
The sky really is the limit. With farm-fresh spider mums from Bloomingmore, you have everything you need to create something beautiful for any moment in life.
What You Will Need
- 7 stems of spider mums in Color A (your main color)
- 7 stems of spider mums in Color B (your accent color)
- 4 stems of greens: cocculus with its round, deep green waxy leaves and/or robellini palm fronds for a dramatic feathery texture. You can also mix with other greens from our fresh cut greens collection.
- Sharp scissors or a clean floral knife
- Floral tape or ribbon
- A vase or container
We suggest mixing two colors of spider mums and pairing them with one or two green varieties. The combination of cocculus and robellini is especially striking because the round waxy cocculus leaves contrast beautifully with the fine feathery robellini fronds, creating a layered, textural halo around the blooms. Feel free to explore your own combinations. With farm-fresh flowers, there is no way to go wrong.
Step 1: Hydrate Your Flowers
Before you begin arranging, cut the ends of your stems at an angle and allow them to hydrate in fresh water for at least 1 to 2 hours. This step is essential. Properly hydrated spider mums will hold their shape, open beautifully, and last significantly longer in your arrangement. You can also add flower food to your water for extra longevity.
Step 2: Build Your Hand-Tied Arrangement
Cross two stems of alternating colors in the palm of your hand, holding them about three inches below the base of the flower head. Continue adding stems of alternating colors, always crossing them in the same direction following this spiral pattern. This technique, called the hand-tie method, creates a naturally rounded, professional-looking arrangement without any floral foam or armature.
Step 3: Shape and Tape
As you add stems, your arrangement will naturally begin to form a beautiful half-sphere shape. Step back occasionally to check that the blooms are even and adjust any stem that sits too high or too low. Once your arrangement has a nice, uniform rounded look, wrap a piece of floral tape firmly around the stems to hold everything in place. This is your anchor point and will keep the arrangement secure as you finish it.
Step 4: Add the Greens
Place your green stems around the outer edge of the arrangement, creating a lush halo of foliage that frames the blooms beautifully. Cocculus is ideal for the inner layer because its round, glossy leaves create a clean, structured backdrop that makes the spider mum blooms pop. Add robellini palm fronds on the outer edge for drama and movement. Their long, arching feathery fronds give the arrangement a wild, organic quality that elevates the whole design. Secure the greens with tape or tie everything together with a ribbon for a finished, gift-ready look.
You can find both cocculus and a full range of fresh greens in our fresh cut greens collection, including garlands, combo boxes, and individual stem varieties for every style of arrangement.
Spider Mum Color Combinations We Love
Not sure which colors to pair? Here are some of our favorite combinations for every season and occasion:
- Spring and summer: White and soft yellow spider mums with baby blue eucalyptus
- Fall: Bronze and burgundy spider mums with cocculus and robellini fronds for an earthy, textural look
- Winter: White and deep green spider mums with garland greenery
- Weddings: Blush, white, and champagne spider mums with silver eucalyptus and cocculus
- Everyday: Natural green and white spider mums with cocculus and robellini for a fresh, dramatic look that works in any room
Shop the Greens
Looking for the exact greens used in this tutorial? Here is where to find them:
- Cocculus - round, deep green waxy leaves with a rich, polished look
- Fresh Cut Greens Collection - robellini palm fronds and many more foliage options
- Fresh Handmade Garland: Cocculus and Italian Ruscus - perfect for larger arrangements and table runners
- Fresh Handmade Garland: Cocculus, Variegated Pittosporum and Plumosa - a lush mixed green garland for events
When to Schedule Your Flower Delivery
Schedule your delivery for 2 to 3 days before your event or project so your flowers arrive farm-fresh with time to fully hydrate and open. Spider mums ship in bud form and open beautifully over 1 to 2 days. You can place your order up to 90 days in advance. Bloomingmore ships farm-direct with free shipping within the continental United States. Alaska and Hawaii are available with restrictions and a possible added fee.
Ready to get started? Browse our full collection of spider mums, cocculus, fresh cut greens, and floral supplies at bloomingmore.com.
We love seeing what you create! Share your arrangements with us on social and tag us so we can celebrate your blooms.
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