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10 Fall Container Ideas to Celebrate the Season
Bring autumn to your doorstep with layered containers that combine color, texture and harvest-inspired details
With its abundance of rich colors and textures, fall is the ideal time to go big with container designs. Layer jewel-tone flowers and foliage, pile on pumpkins and gourds, and mix in grasses, berries and trailing vines for depth and interest. With the right combination, even a small potted display can be a vibrant centerpiece for your porch or patio.
2. Cloud-Like Combination
This fresh take on a fall container, designed by NatureWorks Landscape Services, features softly mounded plants in zingy colors that stand out against the charcoal container. The billowing forms of chartreuse cushion spurge (Euphorbia epithymoides, zones 4 to 8), frothy sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima, zones 5 to 9) and bronze pansies combine with coarser-textured hellebore (Helleborus orientalis, zones 4 to 9) and stems of fuzzy pussy willows for a design that celebrates texture and form as well as color.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
This fresh take on a fall container, designed by NatureWorks Landscape Services, features softly mounded plants in zingy colors that stand out against the charcoal container. The billowing forms of chartreuse cushion spurge (Euphorbia epithymoides, zones 4 to 8), frothy sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima, zones 5 to 9) and bronze pansies combine with coarser-textured hellebore (Helleborus orientalis, zones 4 to 9) and stems of fuzzy pussy willows for a design that celebrates texture and form as well as color.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
3. Mums and Pumpkins
It’s hard to go wrong with the classic combination of potted chrysanthemums and a collection of pumpkins. Try clustering containers or arranging them up the stairs, as has been done at this entryway in Minneapolis, for greater visual impact. Large mums in the same color family — such as red and magenta, as seen here — form a deeply saturated backdrop for smaller accent pots and the bright colors of the pumpkins to really shine.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
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It’s hard to go wrong with the classic combination of potted chrysanthemums and a collection of pumpkins. Try clustering containers or arranging them up the stairs, as has been done at this entryway in Minneapolis, for greater visual impact. Large mums in the same color family — such as red and magenta, as seen here — form a deeply saturated backdrop for smaller accent pots and the bright colors of the pumpkins to really shine.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
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4. Fall Fireworks
Sprays of bittersweet vine (Celastrus spp., zones 3 to 8) loaded with bright orange berries look particularly dramatic against a backdrop of nearly black purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, zones 9 to 10). The designer, KMS Gardens and Design, also used chrysanthemum, ornamental peppers (Capsicum spp., zones 9 to 11), coralbells (Heuchera spp., zones 3 to 9) and red-orange gourds mounted on sticks to create an engaging composition.
Note: In areas where the Oriental variety of bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus, zones 4 to 8) is invasive, use American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens, zones 3 to 8) instead. Both species are toxic.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
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Sprays of bittersweet vine (Celastrus spp., zones 3 to 8) loaded with bright orange berries look particularly dramatic against a backdrop of nearly black purple fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum ‘Rubrum’, zones 9 to 10). The designer, KMS Gardens and Design, also used chrysanthemum, ornamental peppers (Capsicum spp., zones 9 to 11), coralbells (Heuchera spp., zones 3 to 9) and red-orange gourds mounted on sticks to create an engaging composition.
Note: In areas where the Oriental variety of bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus, zones 4 to 8) is invasive, use American bittersweet (Celastrus scandens, zones 3 to 8) instead. Both species are toxic.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
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5. Berry Hues
Rich jewel tones define this lush arrangement by The Inspired Garden. Deep magenta feather celosia adds vertical drama, while ornamental cabbage, burgundy chrysanthemum and purple pansies weave in gentle contrast and painterly color transitions, creating a moody yet inviting fall palette. Dried lotus pods and sprigs of eucalyptus (both available from florists) add textural interest.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
Rich jewel tones define this lush arrangement by The Inspired Garden. Deep magenta feather celosia adds vertical drama, while ornamental cabbage, burgundy chrysanthemum and purple pansies weave in gentle contrast and painterly color transitions, creating a moody yet inviting fall palette. Dried lotus pods and sprigs of eucalyptus (both available from florists) add textural interest.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
6. Elegant Urn
This dramatic container by Greenhaven Landscapes showcases classic fall colors and textures. Purple fountain grass adds eye-catching height and movement, while mounds of chrysanthemums and ornamental cabbages provide midlevel interest. Trailing maidenhair vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa, zones 7 to 10) spills over the edges of the urn above an artful arrangement of pumpkins and gourds.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
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This dramatic container by Greenhaven Landscapes showcases classic fall colors and textures. Purple fountain grass adds eye-catching height and movement, while mounds of chrysanthemums and ornamental cabbages provide midlevel interest. Trailing maidenhair vine (Muehlenbeckia complexa, zones 7 to 10) spills over the edges of the urn above an artful arrangement of pumpkins and gourds.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
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7. Edible Element
Ornamental cabbages may be the most common edible plants in fall containers, but there are plenty of alternatives that are more flavorful and less predicable. For example, landscape designer Craig Bergmann incorporated Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris, zones 2 to 11), seen here, and golden cauliflower (in another container) alongside chrysanthemums and Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha, zones 8 to 10) in playful fall arrangements on a Chicago balcony. Set against the permanent, more formal evergreens, these containers bring color, whimsy and something for the homeowners to harvest. The Mexican bush sage also provides a valuable late-season nectar source for pollinators.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
See more of this garden
Ornamental cabbages may be the most common edible plants in fall containers, but there are plenty of alternatives that are more flavorful and less predicable. For example, landscape designer Craig Bergmann incorporated Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris, zones 2 to 11), seen here, and golden cauliflower (in another container) alongside chrysanthemums and Mexican bush sage (Salvia leucantha, zones 8 to 10) in playful fall arrangements on a Chicago balcony. Set against the permanent, more formal evergreens, these containers bring color, whimsy and something for the homeowners to harvest. The Mexican bush sage also provides a valuable late-season nectar source for pollinators.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
See more of this garden
8. Jewel Box
Window boxes offer another opportunity to bring fall color up close. In this festive design by Garden Stories, a mix of brightly colored perennials, strappy grasses and interesting dried elements looks lovely from both inside and outside the house. Plants and dried ingredients include ‘Indian Summer’ rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’, zones 3 to 7), Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, zones 5 to 9), ‘Red Rooster’ leatherleaf sedge (Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’, zones 6 to 9), ‘Sombrero Hot Coral’ echinacea (Echinacea x hybrida ‘Sombrero Hot Coral’, zones 4 to 9), croton (Codiaeum variegatum, zones 9 to 12), sugar pine cones and miniature lotus pods.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
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Window boxes offer another opportunity to bring fall color up close. In this festive design by Garden Stories, a mix of brightly colored perennials, strappy grasses and interesting dried elements looks lovely from both inside and outside the house. Plants and dried ingredients include ‘Indian Summer’ rudbeckia (Rudbeckia hirta ‘Indian Summer’, zones 3 to 7), Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, zones 5 to 9), ‘Red Rooster’ leatherleaf sedge (Carex buchananii ‘Red Rooster’, zones 6 to 9), ‘Sombrero Hot Coral’ echinacea (Echinacea x hybrida ‘Sombrero Hot Coral’, zones 4 to 9), croton (Codiaeum variegatum, zones 9 to 12), sugar pine cones and miniature lotus pods.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full sun
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
9. Pansy Underplanting
The two mature climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, zones 4 to 8) seen here look handsome in their containers year-round, but a fresh underplanting of bicolored pansies brings a festive touch for fall. Underplanting is an easy way to add seasonal color to larger plants, such as potted trees and shrubs, that have open space beneath them. Consider planting pansies, asters or smaller bedding mums, or even dressing up bare soil with pumpkins and gourds for seasonal interest.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full to partial sun
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The two mature climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris, zones 4 to 8) seen here look handsome in their containers year-round, but a fresh underplanting of bicolored pansies brings a festive touch for fall. Underplanting is an easy way to add seasonal color to larger plants, such as potted trees and shrubs, that have open space beneath them. Consider planting pansies, asters or smaller bedding mums, or even dressing up bare soil with pumpkins and gourds for seasonal interest.
Water requirement: Regular
Light requirement: Full to partial sun
See How Just 1 Ingredient Can Jump-Start a Dazzling Fall Garden
10. Bronze Beauty
This easy-care container trio designed by Weatherill & Associates shows how striking a monochromatic palette can be. With layers of burnished bronze hues, the design features a range of sculptural plant forms — from rosette-shaped aeonium (Aeonium spp., zones 9 to 11) and spiky aloe (Aloe spp., zones 9 to 11) to the bold, strappy leaves of cordyline (Cordyline spp., zones 9 to 11) and a base of mounding echeveria (Echeveria spp., zones 9 to 11). Each plant contributes form rather than relying on flowers for impact, resulting in a rich, long-lasting display. The succulents are all frost-tender, so this planting is best for warm climates.
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Partial to full sun
This easy-care container trio designed by Weatherill & Associates shows how striking a monochromatic palette can be. With layers of burnished bronze hues, the design features a range of sculptural plant forms — from rosette-shaped aeonium (Aeonium spp., zones 9 to 11) and spiky aloe (Aloe spp., zones 9 to 11) to the bold, strappy leaves of cordyline (Cordyline spp., zones 9 to 11) and a base of mounding echeveria (Echeveria spp., zones 9 to 11). Each plant contributes form rather than relying on flowers for impact, resulting in a rich, long-lasting display. The succulents are all frost-tender, so this planting is best for warm climates.
Water requirement: Low
Light requirement: Partial to full sun
Your turn: Have you planted your fall containers yet? Share them in the Comments.
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A delicious crush of fall favorites brings this container by The Inspired Garden to life. It includes magenta feather celosia (Celosia argentea [Spicata Group], USDA zones 2 to 11; find your zone), purple aster (Symphyotrichum spp., zones 3 to 8), orange bedding chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum spp., zones 5 to 9), red-orange marigolds (Tagetes spp.; zones 2 to 11), golden rudbeckia (Rudbeckia spp., zones 3 to 9), deep purple pansies (Viola × wittrockiana, zones 6 to 10), ornamental cabbage (Brassica oleracea, zones 2 to 11) and dried lotus pods.
Water requirement: Regular to frequent
Light requirement: Full sun
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