Fall Container Plantings: Top Choices For Stunning Autumn Pots
As the cozy autumn days roll in, it’s a great time to refresh your outdoor spaces with fall container plantings that capture the seasonal vibes. This time of year brings a beautiful mix of colors and textures, from the fiery red, orange, and yellow of turning leaves to the deep purple, rust, and burgundy of ornamental plants. Whether you want to create a welcoming porch display, a cozy patio arrangement, or add a pop of color to your garden, there’s no shortage of inspiration.
In this round-up, I’ve gathered some favorite fall container garden ideas from the web. These creative designs feature a mix of plants, containers, and arrangements that you can adapt to your own style, space, and climate zone.
I grew up in New England, where fall was all about gathering bittersweet from the stone walls, collecting colorful foliage, and filling containers with mums, apples, and pumpkins. These days, I’m living in the Arizona desert, where October still brings 90-degree days, not to mention the javelinas that roam wild and love to snack on any living decor!
I don’t do much fall decorating now, except for a wreath I made for the front door, so consider this my version of “pretend decorating.” I’m excited to share these finds with you.
FALL CONTAINER PLANTINGS
I’ve grouped these ideas into three categories based on the primary materials used, making it easy to browse according to your preference. The plant materials will vary depending on what’s locally available, so feel free to get creative. Whether you’re updating your existing seasonal pots or looking for an excuse to pick up a new pot or two, these ideas will inspire you.
WITH FLOWERS
The tall rose celosia contrasts with the trailing chartreuse sedum. This one strikes a perfect balance—bright yet still wonderfully subtle.
Materials used: Dusty Miller, ornamental cabbage, sedum Angelina, ornamental pepper, carex, purple curly kale, & pink celosia.
This one really pops with its vibrant yellows and oranges. And, as a bonus, the kale is edible!
Materials used: Euphorbia, heucera, mums, pennisetum, and dinosaur kale.
I absolutely love this fiery beauty! It’s a perfect choice for transitioning your pots from the vibrant end of summer into the beauty of fall.
Materials used: Pink cordyline, petunias, euphoria.
This is a timeless planting choice that perfectly complements these statement urns. The classic combination of plants brings an elegant and sophisticated touch to any outdoor space.
Materials used: Ornamental cabbage, ivy, snapdragons, pennisetums, accented with mini-pumpkins.
Marigolds are jazzy and fantastic—they’re cheerful and bloom beautifully from late spring all the way through fall. And honestly, almost anything looks great in a classic terra cotta pot.
Materials used: Red mustard greens, marigolds, and sedum Angelina.
The birch branches are a clever way to add height without relying on tall plants. The bittersweet and berry stems are artificial, making them a great alternative if you can’t find the real thing.
Materials used: Ornamental cabbage, pansies, ivy, panicum, and berries.
Cockscomb always gives me that fall vibe and dries beautifully for lasting appeal. Once the mums open up, this planting will be even more stunning.
Materials used: Cockscomb, heucera, mum, sedum Angelina.
Here’s a fun and lively arrangement that will catch your eye. It’s filled with lush greenery, creating a vibrant backdrop, while the pops of red and yellow add just the right amount of color.
Materials used: Marigolds, ornamental peppers, celosia, hypericum, alternanthera.
These two are heavy on the florals. The combo on the left really stands out like fireworks! The simple pot doesn’t detract from the colorful planting. The one on the right is filled with flowers; I can picture it in orange, yellow, and burgundy. The barrel-like pot gives it an informal, down-home look.
Materials used: (L) Calibrachoa, nemesia, pennisetum, jet black ipomoea (R) English marigold, calibrachoa, nemesia.
WITH GOURDS and PUMPKINS
So simple, yet so lovely! With the abundance of pumpkins and gourds available now, this arrangement is not only festive but also incredibly easy to put together.
Materials used: Pumpkins, gourds, ivy, juncus, and what looks to be mattress vine.
These tiered pumpkin pots are absolutely gorgeous! This porch decor is beautiful and a fun project to take on. Top each pot with low, wide pumpkins and add some foliage around the base of each layer, and you’ll have a charming, long-lasting display that’s perfect for the season.
Materials used: Pumpkins, foliage, ornamental cabbage, kale.
This idea has remained popular over the years, and it’s easy to see why. Succulent cuttings nestled in moss can last at least two months with proper care as long as they’re kept out of direct sun and protected from frequent rain. They’re perfect for a covered porch, adding a lasting touch of green to your space.
Materials used: Pumpkins, moss, succulent cuttings, pinecones.
If you’re a fan of gourds and pumpkins, you’ll love this idea. Just place chicken wire inside a tomato cage, flip it over a pot, and fill it with a mix of gourds and pumpkins. It’s a fun and creative way to showcase your fall decor, and there’s even a step-by-step guide to help you along the way.
Materials used: Tomato cage, chicken wire, gourds, pumpkins.
Nothing says fall quite like a classic bushel basket! Begin by adding some filler to the bottom, then load it up with a variety of gourds and pumpkins. To finish, scatter a few around the base for extra charm, and you have a beautiful fall decoration ready to display.
Materials used: Gourds and pumpkins.
WITH FOLIAGES
If you live in a milder climate, these pots will last through winter. The deep, smoky purple provides a beautiful contrast to the bright chartreuse. I’m especially fond of the tall, wavy containers—they’re stunning, especially when grouped in a set of three.
Materials used: Ornamental cabbages, kales, lysimachia, centaurea or atemesia, chartreuse conifers.
Crotons truly showcase the vibrant colors of fall! I often spot them at Home Depot and Lowe’s as summer winds down. A croton in a ten-inch pot can practically fill a planter, and they look especially striking in these black boxes.
Materials used: Crotons, ornamental cabbage, lysimachia, a few bittersweet branches tucked in.
This arrangement features a rich mix of foliage accented with branches and berries. The large containers provide a perfect backdrop, and the height of the branches and berries adds a touch of pizazz to these stunning plantings.
Materials used: Ferns, ornamental cabbages, ivy, fantail willow, sprayed eucalyptus, artificial berries.
I’m not sure if this was meant to be a fall arrangement, but it certainly fits the bill. I can easily picture this planting in front of a Victorian house—the urn adds a gothic flair, and the autumnal colors create a seasonal vibe without being overtly “fall.”
Materials used: Dusty miller, coleus, silver dichondra.
Here’s another easy one to put together. It looks fantastic in this low urn, where you can admire it from above. The arrangement is not only vibrant but also offers a non-traditional twist if you’re seeking something a bit different.
Materials used: Ornamental cabbages, ivy.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, these fall container plantings are here to inspire you. Embrace the season’s beauty and make your outdoor spaces pop with fall flair!
Happy fall,
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Nell, the founder of Joy Us garden, was born into a gardening family and grew up in Connecticut’s countryside. After living in Boston, New York, San Francisco, & Santa Barbara, she now calls the Arizona desert home. She studied horticulture & garden design, working in the field all her life. Nell is a gardener, designer, blogger, Youtube creator, & author. She’s been gardening for a very long time & wants to share what she’s learned with you.
