28 Fall Plants For A Festive Autumn

As summer bids farewell and the air turns crisp, nature puts on a breathtaking display of colors, painting landscapes in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold. To bring this captivating beauty closer to home, consider incorporating fall plants that add a splash of color into your outdoor spaces. From striking foliage to blooming flowers, these plants embrace the spirit of the season, creating a visual symphony of autumnal hues that captivate and delight.

In this article, we will explore a selection of stunning fall plants that infuse your gardens, patios, and landscapes with an explosion of color, transforming the autumn scenery into a feast for the eyes.

Best Outdoor Fall Plants

Fall is a wonderful season for outdoor gardening, with a variety of plants that thrive in the cooler temperatures and add vibrant colors to your landscape. Here are some popular fall plants that you can consider growing outdoors:

1. Chrysanthemums (Mums): These iconic fall flowers come in a wide array of colors, including shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. They are known for their hardiness and long-lasting blooms, making them a staple in fall gardens.
2. Pansies: Pansies are cheerful flowers that can withstand cooler temperatures. They come in a range of colors, from deep purples to bright yellows and oranges, adding a burst of color to your outdoor space.
3. Ornamental Cabbage and Kale: These unique plants feature stunning foliage in shades of pink, purple, and white. Their textured leaves bring a touch of elegance and a pop of color to fall gardens, and they can withstand colder temperatures.
4. Sedum: Sedums, also known as stonecrops, are succulent plants that thrive in the fall season. They offer a wide range of varieties, with different foliage colors and flower shapes. Sedums are low-maintenance and can add visual interest to your garden.
5. Japanese Maples: These ornamental trees are prized for their stunning foliage, which transforms into vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall. Japanese maples add height and drama to the landscape, making them an excellent choice for fall gardening.
6. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis): Witch hazel is a deciduous shrub known for its unique spidery flowers that bloom in shades of yellow, orange, and red during the fall and winter months. It adds fragrance and a touch of whimsy to the fall garden.
7. Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’): This particular variety of sedum is a fall favorite. It features large, rounded flower heads that start pink and gradually turn rusty red as the season progresses. The flowers also attract butterflies and bees to your garden.
8. Beautyberry (Callicarpa): Beautyberry is a shrub known for its clusters of vibrant purple berries that appear in the fall. The berries provide a stunning contrast against the plant’s green foliage, attracting birds to your garden.
9. Fall Crocus (Colchicum): Fall crocus, also known as autumn crocus, produces beautiful cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. These flowers emerge in late summer or early fall, adding charm and color to your outdoor space.
10. Helenium: Helenium, also called sneezeweed, is a perennial plant that blooms in the fall. Its daisy-like flowers come in various warm hues, including shades of red, orange, and yellow, providing a vibrant display in the autumn garden.

These are just a few examples of the many fall plants available for outdoor gardening. When choosing plants for your specific region, consider factors such as sunlight requirements, soil conditions, and hardiness zones to ensure successful growth. Embrace the beauty of the season by incorporating these fall plants into your outdoor landscape, creating a stunning and colorful autumn garden.

Best Indoor Fall Plants

Fall is a great time to bring the beauty of the season indoors by growing plants that thrive in indoor environments. Here are some of the best fall plants that can be grown indoors:

1. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana: Kalanchoe varieties like ‘Autumn Joy’ or ‘Tropicana’ offer beautiful clusters of vibrant red, orange, yellow, and pink flowers that resemble miniature roses. They add a burst of autumnal color to indoor spaces.
2. Thanksgiving Cactus (Schlumbergera): This plant typically blooms around the Thanksgiving holiday, offering stunning flowers in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow. It can be an eye-catching addition to your fall decor.
3. Maranta (Prayer Plant): Maranta varieties, such as the Maranta leuconeura ‘Red Vein,’ feature stunning foliage with dark green leaves and striking red veins. They can bring a touch of autumnal elegance to your indoor spaces.
4. Oxalis triangularis (Purple Shamrock): This plant boasts attractive three-leafed clover-shaped foliage in a rich purple color. It adds a deep and mysterious vibe to your fall decor.
5. Croton (Codiaeum variegatum): Crotons feature foliage in fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, and green, resembling the colors of autumn foliage. They can be a striking and vibrant addition to your indoor fall displays.
6. Cymbidium Orchids: Cymbidium orchids bloom during the fall and winter seasons, offering an array of colorful flowers in shades of orange, yellow, burgundy, and brown. They can provide an elegant touch to your fall decorations.
7. Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annuum): Ornamental pepper plants bear small, colorful peppers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. They can add a playful and spicy touch to your indoor fall displays.
8. Autumn Joy Sedum (Hylotelephium ‘Herbstfreude’): This sedum variety produces large, rounded flower heads that start pink and gradually transition to a deep rusty red as the season progresses. Its flowers resemble clusters of dried flowers, adding an autumnal feel to your indoor space.

These plants with their autumnal colors and blooms can help you create an inviting and seasonally appropriate ambiance indoors. Combine them with fall-themed decorations, such as pumpkins,

Best Potted Fall Plants

Growing plants in pots is a versatile way to bring the beauty of the fall season to your patio, balcony, or any outdoor space with a limited ground area. Here are some of the best fall plants that can be grown in pots:

1. Ornamental Grasses: Varieties such as Maiden Grass (Miscanthus), Feather Reed Grass (Calamagrostis), or Fountain Grass (Pennisetum) add texture and movement to pots. They often display stunning fall colors, ranging from golden yellows to fiery reds.
2. Pansies: Pansies are perfect for adding vibrant colors to your fall container gardens. They come in a variety of hues, including shades of yellow, orange, purple, and red. Pansies are cold-tolerant and can provide blooms well into the fall season.
3. Kale and Ornamental Cabbage: These cool-season vegetables are not only edible but also add striking textures and colors to fall containers. The ruffled leaves of ornamental kale and cabbage come in shades of pink, white, purple, and green.
4. Heuchera (Coral Bells): Heuchera is a perennial plant with attractive foliage that changes color throughout the year. Many varieties offer stunning fall shades, such as deep purples, oranges, and reds. They add both beauty and texture to container gardens.
5. Chrysanthemums (Mums): Mums are classic fall plants available in a wide range of colors and sizes. They can be grown in pots to create a burst of color and serve as the focal point of your fall display.
6. Ornamental Peppers: These plants produce small, colorful peppers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Ornamental peppers are not only visually appealing but also bring a spicy touch to your fall container gardens.
7. Sedums: There are various sedum varieties that are perfect for potted gardens. Stonecrop sedums like ‘Autumn Joy’ or ‘Brilliant’ offer succulent foliage and clusters of flowers that transform into rusty hues during the fall.
8. Crotons: Crotons are tropical plants known for their vibrant and variegated foliage. They bring a splash of color to fall container gardens with their leaves in shades of red, orange, yellow, and green.
9. Sweet Alyssum: Sweet Alyssum is a low-growing annual plant that produces delicate clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. It adds a lovely trailing element to fall container arrangements.
10. Dwarf Conifers: Certain dwarf conifer varieties, such as Dwarf Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) or Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’), can thrive in containers. They provide year-round interest and add structure to your fall pots.

Remember to select pots with good drainage and use high-quality potting soil to ensure the health and growth of your potted plants. Grouping different plants with contrasting colors, heights, and textures can create visually appealing fall container displays. With the right selection of plants and careful attention to their care, you can create stunning fall scenes in pots to celebrate the season’s beauty.