23 Stunning Fall Planter Ideas for Your Porch

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Refresh Your Porch for Autumn

When the air turns crisp, it's time to swap tired summer annuals for rich autumn colors. But figuring out the right plant combinations can be a challenge. You want something that looks good from September through Thanksgiving without needing constant care. This guide gives you 23 fall planter ideas to create a beautiful and welcoming entrance. We provide specific plant lists and designs for a stunning seasonal display.

1. The Classic Mums and Pumpkins

This combination is a classic for a reason. It is simple and signals the arrival of fall. The key is to choose colors that work together.

Here’s how to build it:

Thriller: A large, vibrant chrysanthemum (mum) in bronze, red, or yellow.

Filler: Smaller mums in a complementary color.

Accents: Place small sugar pumpkins and mini gourds around the base of the pot.

2. Jewel-Toned Heuchera Mix

Heuchera, or Coral Bells, offers rich color that lasts well into the cold months. Their ruffled leaves add texture that other fall plants lack. This is a great choice for a sophisticated fall container garden.

Plant combination:

Heuchera: Use varieties in deep purple ('Dolce Wildberry'), amber ('Caramel'), and lime green ('Lime Marmalade').

Spiller: Variegated English Ivy to trail over the sides.

3. Architectural Cabbage and Kale

Ornamental cabbage and kale provide structure and color, even after a light frost. Their rosette shapes look like flowers, but their color intensifies as the temperature drops.

Design idea:

Centerpiece: One large ornamental cabbage.

Surround: Plant smaller flowering kale in shades of purple and cream around the center.

Edge: Add a simple green spiller like creeping Jenny.

4. Elegant Grasses and Gourds

For a more natural look, use ornamental grasses. Their height and movement add a dynamic element to any fall planter design. This works well for a modern or rustic home.

What you need:

Thriller: Purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') for height and color.

Filler: Small, green ornamental grasses like Carex.

Base: Arrange a variety of white and green gourds at the foot of the planter.

5. Trailing Ivy and Bright Pansies

Pansies are tough flowers that can handle a chill. They come in many fall colors and provide cheerful blooms when many other plants have faded.

Simple recipe:

Filler: A dense planting of pansies in shades of orange, deep purple, and yellow.

Spiller: Let several types of ivy, like English and variegated, cascade down the container sides. This creates a full, lush look.

6. Harvest Cornucopia Theme

This idea turns your planter into a symbol of abundance. It uses a mix of plants and harvest elements for a rich, textured display.

Elements to include:

Height: Dried corn stalks tied together in the center.

Color: A ring of small, orange-flowering marigolds or mums.

Texture: Tuck in mini pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn.

7. Monochromatic White and Green

A limited color palette can have a big impact. This combination is clean, elegant, and works with any home style.

Plant list:

Thriller: A small, conical evergreen like a dwarf Alberta spruce.

Filler: White pansies and dusty miller for a silvery-green contrast.

Accents: Place a few white pumpkins at the base.

8. Spooky Halloween Container

For October, create a planter with a Halloween theme. Use dark, moody plants to create a spooky effect for trick-or-treaters.

Plants for a gothic look:

Dark Foliage: Black Mondo Grass or near-black Heuchera.

Color: Deep blood-red celosia or dark purple pansies.

Spiller: Black-leaved sweet potato vine ('Blackie').

9. Warm Sunset Hues

Capture the colors of a fall sunset in your planter. This vibrant mix of reds, oranges, and yellows creates a warm and inviting display.

Color combination:

Thriller: Red-stemmed Swiss chard 'Bright Lights'.

Filler: Yellow and orange pansies and calendula.

Spiller: Creeping Jenny for a pop of chartreuse.

10. Edible Herb and Veggie Pot

A fall planter can be both beautiful and useful. Combine cool-season herbs and vegetables for a display you can harvest from.

Edible arrangement:

Center: A frilly purple kale or a colorful Swiss chard.

Fillers: Sage, thyme, and parsley.

Color: Add a few edible violas for a touch of brightness.

11. Cool-Toned Blues and Purples

Move beyond the typical warm fall colors with a sophisticated mix of blues, purples, and silvers. This palette feels calm and unique.

Planting recipe:

Thriller: Blue fescue grass for fine texture and color.

Filler: Purple asters and violet-blue pansies.

Contrast: Dusty miller for its silvery-white foliage.

12. Rustic Hay Bale and Planter Display

Create a larger fall scene by incorporating hay bales. This is more of a vignette than a single planter, perfect for a larger porch or yard.

Here’s how to set it up:

Base: Arrange one or two bales of straw.

Planters: Place pots of mums and asters on and around the bales.

Accents: Add a scarecrow, pumpkins, and corn stalks.

13. Modern Minimalist Structure

Sometimes less is more. For a modern home, a single, structural plant can make a strong statement without clutter.

Simple and bold choice:

Focus Plant: A single, large 'Black Magic' colocasia or a dramatic, spiky cordyline in a simple, modern pot. The focus is on the form of the plant itself.

14. Colorful Fall Window Box

Don't forget your windows. A well-designed fall window box adds charm and curb appeal. The key is to plant densely.

Window box recipe:

Back row: Dwarf evergreens or colorful ornamental peppers.

Middle row: A mix of pansies, violas, and heuchera.

Front row: A thick line of trailing ivy or creeping Jenny to spill over.

15. Tiered Planter Tower

A tiered planter allows you to create a column of color. This is a great space-saver for smaller porches or balconies.

How to plant it:

Top tier: A 'thriller' plant like a small ornamental grass.

Middle tiers: 'Filler' plants like pansies, violas, or mums.

Bottom tier: 'Spiller' plants like ivy or sweet potato vine to trail onto the ground.

16. Lush Hanging Basket for Fall

Hanging baskets aren't just for summer. A fall-themed basket can add color at eye level.

Combination for a fall basket:

Center: A small ornamental cabbage or heuchera.

Fillers: Trailing pansies and violas.

Spillers: A mix of ivy, vinca vine, and creeping Jenny to create long trails.

17. Evergreen and Berry Mix

Create a planter that will transition from fall to winter. Evergreens and berries provide color and structure that lasts through the snow.

Winter-ready plants:

Centerpiece: A dwarf evergreen shrub.

Filler: Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) for its bright red berries.

Spiller: English ivy, which stays green all winter.

18. Cinderella Pumpkin Planter

Use a pumpkin as the planter itself. This is a fun, temporary display that is perfect for a party or for the week of Halloween.

Here’s how it works:

Hollow out a large, flat-topped 'Cinderella' pumpkin.

Add a few drainage holes in the bottom.

Fill with potting soil and plant with mums, pansies, or kale.

19. Copper and Bronze Tones

This color scheme feels warm and luxurious. It mimics the changing colors of autumn leaves.

Plant palette:

Thriller: A bronze-colored Carex grass.

Filler: Mums in a deep rust or bronze shade.

Spiller: A sweet potato vine with coppery-orange leaves, like 'Mardi Gras'.

20. High-Contrast Textures

Combine plants with very different leaf shapes and textures for a visually interesting design. This adds depth to your planter.

Textural combination:

Fine Texture: Feathery ornamental grass or asparagus fern.

Bold Texture: The large, smooth leaves of ornamental cabbage.

Spiky Texture: A small cordyline or yucca.

21. Creeping Thyme and Sedum

For a low-maintenance, low-profile planter, use hardy groundcovers. These plants are tough and provide subtle color and texture.

Groundcover mix:

Sedum: Use a variety like 'Angelina' for its bright chartreuse color that turns orange in the cold.

Thyme: Woolly thyme provides a soft, silvery mat.

Accent: Add a few interesting rocks or a small piece of driftwood.

22. Vintage Galvanized Tubs

The container you choose is part of the design. Vintage metal tubs add a rustic, farmhouse touch to your fall display.

Farmhouse planting:

Container: A large, old galvanized wash tub.

Plants: Keep it simple. Fill the tub with a mass of one type of plant, like bright yellow goldenrod or deep purple asters, for a big impact.

23. Fire and Ice Contrast

Create a dramatic look by pairing a fiery, hot-colored plant with a cool, icy one. The strong contrast catches the eye.

Opposites attract:

Fire: A tall, bright red Celosia with its flame-like plumes.

Ice: A dense planting of pure white pansies or dusty miller surrounding the base.

Container: Use a simple black or dark gray pot to make the colors stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants are best for fall planters?

The best plants for fall planters are cool-season tolerant. Good choices include chrysanthemums (mums), pansies, violas, ornamental kale, cabbage, heuchera (coral bells), asters, and ornamental grasses like purple fountain grass.

How do you arrange a fall planter?

Use the 'Thriller, Filler, Spiller' method. Place a tall plant (thriller) in the center or back. Add mounding plants (filler) around it. Finish with trailing plants (spiller) at the edges to hang over the side. This creates a balanced, professional look.

How long do fall planters last?

Most fall planters will look good for about two to three months, from early fall until the first hard freeze. Some plants, like ornamental kale, pansies, and evergreens, can often last even longer, providing interest into the early winter.

When should I put out my fall planters?

The ideal time is late summer or early fall, typically late August to mid-September. This is when summer annuals start to fade and nurseries are stocked with fall plants. Planting early allows them to get established before the weather gets too cold.

Conclusion

Creating beautiful fall planters is a simple way to celebrate the season. You can mix and match these ideas or follow a recipe exactly. The goal is to add warmth and color to your outdoor space. Start with a healthy plant, a good container, and fresh potting soil, and you will have a display that lasts for months.

Which of these fall planter ideas will you try? Let us know in the comments below!