Ready to refresh your planters for fall but tired of the same old mums that barely last through the season? While the selection of fall plants can seem more limited compared to the abundance in spring, here’s the good news: there are still plenty of easy-to-find plants that transition beautifully from summer to fall. These hardy options not only thrive in cooler weather but also look fantastic together—and are still readily available! Whether you’re sprucing up your porch or updating your garden beds, these alternatives will bring vibrant color and texture to your space with minimal effort. In this post, I’ll share the perfect plant combinations I used in my planters, helping you save time and energy. Ready to make your outdoor space fresh and festive all season long? With these tips, updating your planter will be a breeze—and totally worth it!
Here’s a list of the fall plants I used in my planters and notes on sunlight needs, ideal planting time, and other useful information:
1. Wild Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
When to Plant: Plant in late summer to early fall.
Notes: Wild cabbage thrives in cooler weather, and its striking leaves provide visual interest throughout fall. It’s frost-tolerant and looks great in ornamental displays.
2. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica)
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
When to Plant: Early to mid-fall for fall displays.
Notes: Hardy and cold-tolerant, kale’s ruffled leaves come in shades of green and purple, making it a popular choice for decorative planters. It can survive through frost and light freezes.
3. Graceful Grasses (e.g., Miscanthus, Pennisetum)
Sun: Full sun
When to Plant: Early to late summer, but can be added to planters in early fall.
Notes: These ornamental grasses add height and movement to planters. They require minimal care, and their plumes often last well into winter, providing texture.
4. Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Sun: Partial shade
When to Plant: Late spring or early summer, but can be used in fall planters for its colorful foliage.
Notes: This plant’s spotted leaves come in pink, red, and white, adding vibrant color to planters. It prefers warmth and doesn’t tolerate frost, so it works best in early fall before cold hits.
5. Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Sun: Partial shade to full shade
When to Plant: Late spring to early summer, though it can be used in fall planters until the first frost.
Notes: Coleus is prized for its bold, colorful foliage. It’s a great filler plant in fall planters, offering shades of red, purple, and green. However, it’s not frost-tolerant.
6. Ornamental Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
Sun: Full sun
When to Plant: Late summer or early fall.
Notes: With bright, colorful peppers that can be red, orange, yellow, or purple, ornamental pepper adds a pop of color to any fall display. It’s best planted when temperatures are still warm but can tolerate cooler fall weather.
7. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Sun: Full sun to partial shade
When to Plant: Late spring to early summer, but often added to planters for fall color.
Notes: Known for its vibrant green or purple foliage, this vine trails beautifully over the edges of planters. It’s sensitive to frost, so use it in early fall displays.
8. Silver Cock’s Comb (Celosia argentea var. cristata)
Sun: Full sun
When to Plant: Late spring to summer, but can be used for fall arrangements.
Notes: This unique plant has soft, velvety flowers that resemble a rooster’s comb. The silver variety adds a metallic touch to planters, and it thrives in warmer fall weather.
9. Purple Leaved Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus australis)
Sun: Partial to full shade
When to Plant: Late spring or early summer, but used in fall planters for foliage interest.
Notes: This trailing plant has purple-tinged leaves that provide rich color in shaded spots. It’s a good filler plant, but it won’t tolerate frost.
These plants work well together to create a vibrant, hardy fall planter that transitions beautifully from warm fall days to cooler evenings. Most can tolerate light frost, making them ideal for autumn displays!
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