To explore the physicochemical properties of different culture substrates and their effects on the growth of potted chrysanthemum, three chrysanthemum varieties, namely, Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Huihuang’, C. morifolium ‘Boerduohong’, C. morifolium ‘Huangfurong’ were used as the study materials in this experiment, a total of 12 different matrix formulations with different ratios were set up. In other words, after comparing the physicochemical properties of 20 common substrate materials, 7 kinds of culture substrates with different physicochemical properties were selected, inclduing river sand, perlite, vermiculite, peat, coconut bran, rotting leaves and rice hull, and then 12 groups were mixed according to different volume ratios. By analyzing the physicochemical properties of each culture substrate and its effects on the rooting rate, survival rate and root morphology of potted chrysanthemum, the appropriate matrix formula for cultivating potted chrysanthemum was selected. The results showed that: (1) Compared with the inorganic substrates such as river sand, perlite and vermiculite, the organic substrates such as rotten leaves, coconut bran, rice hull and peat had the characteristics of low bulk density, high porosity, high soil electrical conductivity (EC value) and high nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. (2) The rooting rate and survival rate of the three chrysanthemum varieties were high in river sand, perlite, vermiculite, and peat (Z1-Z4 treatments), all of which were 100%, but the rooting and survival rates in coconut bran (Z5 treatment) were significantly lower than those in other treatment groups, and all of them died in rice hull: perlite volume ratio of 4∶1 substrate (Z12 treatment). (3) In the Z1 and Z2 treatments, the roots of the three chrysanthemum varieties were short, thick and curved; In the Z3 and Z4 treatments, the roots were long, thin and vertical. In peat∶perlite volume ratio of 4∶1 substrate (Z6 treatment), peat∶perlite∶rotten leaves∶rice hull volume ratio of 6∶2∶1∶1 substrate (Z7 treatment) and peat∶perlite∶rotten leaves∶rice hull volume ratio of 2∶1∶1∶1 substrate (Z8 treatment), the roots were the most robust, but in the Z5 treatment, the roots were the worst. (4) The membership function method was used to comprehensively evaluate the growth status of potted chrysanthemums under each culture substrate. The results showed that Z4, Z7 and Z6 treatments had the highest comprehensive evaluation index in C. morifolium ‘Huihuang’, C. morifolium ‘Boerduohong’, C. morifolium ‘Huangfurong’ respectively, and were the most suitable for the growth of potted chrysanthemums. In conclusion, the physicchemical properties of the culture substrates have a significant impact on the growth of potted chrysanthemum, and the rotten leaves and rice hull in common agricultural and forestry wastes can replace peat as the high-quality culture substrate for cultivating potted chrysanthemum to a certain extent.