Research has shown that seasonal decorating can positively affect mood and stress levels. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that people who decorate their homes for holidays report feeling happier and more socially connected.1
With the right selection, you can create a stunning display that will have your neighbors green with envy.
From classic chrysanthemums to ornamental peppers, these 12 fall container plants will breathe new life into your porch and welcome the season in style.
1. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
No fall container garden is complete without the quintessential autumn flower: the chrysanthemum. These versatile blooms come in a wide array of colors, from deep burgundy to bright yellow, making them perfect for any color scheme.
Mums are hardy plants that thrive in cooler temperatures, ensuring your porch remains vibrant well into the season.
To get the most out of your mums, choose varieties with tight buds that haven’t fully opened yet. This will ensure a longer-lasting display as the flowers gradually unfurl.
Pair mums with ornamental grasses or trailing vines for a dynamic and textured arrangement that captures the essence of fall.
2. Ornamental Kale
Add ornamental kale to your container garden for a unique twist on traditional fall foliage. These eye-catching plants boast ruffled leaves in purple, pink, and white shades, creating a striking contrast against other autumn hues.
Ornamental kale is visually appealing and incredibly hardy, often lasting well into winter.
To maximize ornamental kale’s potential, plant it in large containers where its dramatic foliage can take center stage. For added dimension, combine it with trailing ivy or small flowering plants.
As temperatures drop, the colors of ornamental kale intensify, providing a dynamic display that evolves throughout the season.
3. Pansies
Don’t let their delicate appearance fool you – pansies are tough little flowers that can easily withstand cool autumn temperatures. These cheerful blooms come in various colors and patterns, making them versatile additions to any fall container garden.
Pansies are known for their long blooming period, ensuring your porch remains colorful even as other plants begin to fade.
Plant pansies in mass groupings or combine them with other fall favorites like mums or ornamental grasses. Their low-growing habit makes them perfect for the front of containers or hanging baskets.
With proper care, pansies can survive mild winters and rebloom in spring, offering excellent value for your gardening efforts.
4. Ornamental Peppers
Add a touch of the unexpected to your fall containers with ornamental peppers. These compact plants produce colorful, upright fruits in red, orange, purple, and black shades.
The peppers start out green and gradually change color as they mature, providing an ever-changing display throughout the season.
Ornamental peppers are heat-loving plants, so place them in a sunny spot on your porch. Their unique appearance makes them excellent focal points in container arrangements.
Pair them with plants that have contrasting textures, such as trailing vines or fluffy ornamental grasses, for a truly eye-catching display.
5. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is a versatile perennial that adds a pop of color and interesting texture to fall container gardens. With foliage ranging from deep purple to lime green, heuchera provides a stunning backdrop for other fall flowers.
These low-maintenance plants thrive in partial shade, perfect for porches that don’t receive full sun.
Choose heuchera varieties with rich, autumnal hues like ‘Caramel’ or ‘Plum Pudding to create a striking fall display.’ Their mounding habit works well as a filler in container arrangements, complementing taller plants and trailing vines.
Even after other plants have faded, Heuchera’s evergreen nature will add interest to your porch.
6. Asters
Bring a touch of wildflower charm to your fall containers with asters. These daisy-like flowers bloom in shades of purple, pink, and white, adding color to autumn displays.
Asters are beautiful and beneficial, attracting butterflies and pollinators to your porch.
Plant asters in well-draining soil and provide them with plenty of sunlight for optimal blooming. Their upright growth habit makes them excellent companions for cascading plants like sweet potato vine or creeping Jenny.
For a cohesive look, choose aster varieties that complement the color scheme of your existing fall decor.
7. Black-Eyed Susan
Extend the sunny vibes of summer into fall with the cheerful blooms of black-eyed Susans. These hardy perennials feature bright yellow petals surrounding a dark center, strikingly contrasting container gardens.
Black-eyed Susans are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making them ideal for busy homeowners.
Pair black-eyed Susans with complementary plants, such as deep purple asters or burgundy mums, to create a stunning fall display.
Their tall stems add height to container arrangements, while their prolific blooming ensures a continuous show of color throughout the season.
8. Ornamental Grasses
Add movement and texture to your fall containers with ornamental grasses. Varieties like purple fountain grass or feather reed grass provide a soft, billowing backdrop for other autumn plants.
As a bonus, many ornamental grasses develop attractive seed heads that persist well into winter, extending the visual interest of your porch display.
Consider their mature size and growth habits when incorporating ornamental grasses into your containers. Taller varieties work well as centerpieces, while shorter grasses can fill in gaps or soften the edges of arrangements.
Choose grasses with colorful foliage that complement your other fall plants for a dramatic effect.
9. Sedum
Sedum, or stonecrop, is a succulent that adds color and texture to fall container gardens. With its fleshy leaves and clusters of tiny flowers, sedum provides an interesting contrast to traditional autumn plants.
Many varieties, such as ‘Autumn Joy,’ develop rich burgundy or copper tones as temperatures cool, perfectly capturing the essence of fall.
Plant sedum in well-draining soil and place it in a sunny spot on your porch. Its drought-tolerant nature makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance container gardens.
Combine sedum with plants that require similar light and water, such as ornamental grasses or drought-tolerant perennials, for a cohesive and easy-to-care-for display.
10. Flowering Cabbage
Consider flowering cabbage for a truly unique addition to your fall containers. Similar to ornamental kale, this plant is grown for its colorful, flat leaves with contrasting edges.
Available in shades of pink, purple, and white, flowering cabbage adds a whimsy and unexpected texture to autumn arrangements.
To make the most of flowering cabbage, plant it in large containers where its dramatic foliage can be fully appreciated. Pair it with plants that have contrasting forms, such as spiky ornamental grasses or delicate trailing vines.
As temperatures drop, the colors of flowering cabbage become more intense, providing a dynamic display that evolves throughout the season.
11. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum brings a touch of delicate beauty to your fall containers. This low-growing annual produces clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers cascading over the edges of pots and planters.
While often associated with spring and summer gardens, sweet alyssum can thrive well into fall in many regions.
Plant sweet alyssum near the edges of your containers to create a soft, flowing effect. Its white, pink, or purple blooms contrast the bolder colors of traditional fall plants.
For a cohesive look, choose alyssum varieties that complement the color scheme of your other autumn flowers.
12. Coleus
Add a splash of vibrant foliage to your fall containers with coleus. These versatile plants come in various colors and patterns, from deep burgundy to lime green with contrasting veins.
While typically grown as summer annuals, coleus can continue to thrive in fall containers if protected from frost.
Choose coleus varieties with rich, warm hues that echo the changing leaves to create a stunning autumn display. Their bushy growth habit makes them excellent fillers in container arrangements, adding depth and interest to your porch.
Pair coleus with plants that have similar light requirements for a low-maintenance, high-impact fall display.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.