#1 Mums

Lets start with the obvious choice of Mums for your fall pots.  Yes, it is a plant that everyone on the block might have in their planters, but there are some reasons for their popularity.  First, mums come in a ton of different colors and petal shapes from pink, red, yellow, orange, purple and white.  Second, they can tolerate really cool temperatures at night down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit.  The mums should be covered if it is going to frost to protect them and then uncovered once the threat of frost has passed.  Finally, mums look great in containers, in window boxes, in the ground or wherever you want to add a quick pop of color to your yard.

#2 Celosia

I love the use of celosia in fall pots. There are some really fabulously bright colors- orange, red, yellow, fuchsia and purple and they add really nice height and texture to pots.  Plus you can dry some of the flowers to use in other arrangements! Celosia prefers temperatures in the 60’s for optimal growth, so put it in your containers early in the fall to enjoy for the maximum amount of time.

Celosia Intenz.

#3 Ornamental Kale & Cabbage

I absolutely LOVE ornamental kale in pots! It is a plant that when you put it in your containers looks good but it just gets better and better as the season goes on.  Most varieties will have purple, red or white centers with green leaves.  They will also thrive in cool temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  I’ve had them in some of my fall pots still looking great at Christmastime.  Kale looks awesome in combination with other fall plants as well as on it’s own in large groupings.

Peacock Kale.

#4 Crossandra

Crossandra can be grown outdoors in pots or inside as a houseplant.  It is a lovely addition to fall planters with its pretty frilly orange flowers and glossy green foliage.  It also prefers more of a morning sun or shady location, at too much sun will burn it’s foliage.  Although Crossandra prefers cooler daytime temperatures of 65 F, it does not like temperatures below 50 F so plant it early in the fall season, then bring inside to enjoy as a houseplant .

#5 Mona Lavender

Mona Lavender is a fabulous plant that has beautiful dark green leaves with purple underside and purple flowers.  The shorter daylight hours during the fall months spur the blooming.  Ideally Mona Lavender really prefers to be in temperatures between 60 F to 80 F but it can tolerate some colder temperatures and even a few light frosts.  It does best in partial sun.  When the weather begins to turn colder bring it indoors to enjoy as a houseplant.

#6 Ornamental Peppers

Ornamental Peppers come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors.  From reds and purple to orange and yellow peppers and foliage colors ranging from green to purple.   They are a great filler and add something a little unique to fall planters.  Their ideal temperatures are between 55 F to 80 F.   While the fruit is edible for humans most do not eat them as they tend to be hot with little sweetness.  The peppers are toxic to cats and dogs so keep out of reach of your furry friends.

#7 Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia’s sunny flowers look perfect in fall planters and can bloom continually for a couple of months until it frosts.  They grow from 12″ to 24″ tall depending on the variety.  Plant these guys in full sun for best effect.  Check to see if the variety you plant in your pots is an annual or perennial variety, if it’s a perennial plant in the ground before the ground freezes.

#8 Spilanthes-Eye Ball Plant

Spilathes or Eyeball Plant are something funky and fun that you can add to your fall pots that I can guarantee your neighbors will not have.  This fun little plant has yellow gumdrop like flowers with dark red centers.  It grows about 12″ to 15″ tall.  Plant in full to part sun.

#9 Pansies

Pansies are simply one of the happiest little flowers on the planet.  I love using pansies alone in pots or in combinations with other fall plants but they are a great choice to add color and they will last a long time into the fall for you as they can take really cold temperatures!  Pansies have been known to survive temperatures of just 5 F, although their ideal temperatures are below 75 F during the day and between 40 F and 65 F at night.  Plant in full sun to part shade for best performance.

#10 Coralbells

Coralbells make fabulous container plants!  They come in a wide variety of color – oranges, yellows, bright green, burgundy and blacks.  Plant in part sun for best effects.  Perennials are often overlooked for use in containers but they can really add a nice pop of color and you get a perennial to plant int the ground at the end of the season! Before the ground freezes remove your coralbells from the pots and plant in the ground to enjoy next year!

Do you have other favorite plants to use in your fall containers? Drop me a note, I’d love to hear about them!