Drought tolerance of intergeneric hybrids between Chrysanthemum morifolium and Ajania przewalskii

► We studied drought tolerance of hybrids between chrysanthemum and Ajania przewalskii. ► Hybrids showed higher drought tolerance than the chrysanthemum parent. ► Wilting was temporary in hybrids and A. przewalskii but permanent in chrysanthemum. ► A larger root system in the hybrids was a morphological response to drought. ► Increased proline and decreased MDA were synthesized in the hybrids under drought.