Are mums and asters may be the first blooms that spring to mind when you think of an Autumn container garden? As beautiful as they are, there are tons of options to pick from this season. If you create your own fall container garden, you can mix eye-catching flowers in seasonal shades with vibrant textures and foliage. Explore the following 26 best fall flowers for pots to decide which are right for you, depending on your USDA plant hardiness zone.
1. Chrysanthemum
USDA Zones: 3-11
Chrysanthemums, also known as mums, are the flowers that define fall. Not only are they the most popular bloom worldwide during the season, they also come in a range of perfect fall shades. Additionally, growing mums in pots is easy in nearly any climate and there are annual or perennial options available.
2. Oxalis
USDA Zones: 7-11
Oxalis is known as an elegant mounding plant, which is perfect for filling a large container full of autumn flowers. The pink blooms appear in the summer and extend into fall. They don’t need much more care than partial shade in most planting zones, whether you grow the plant indoors or out. If you live in the north, however, you might want to bring your oxalis inside for the winter.
3. Goldenrod
USDA Zones: 4-9
Goldenrod is easy to grow in containers, and blooms bright yellow from late summer through fall. It also looks stunning when planted with ornamental grasses, ferns, or other autumn flowers. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod does not cause allergies, despite its similar appearance to ragweed. However, it does spread easily in some locations.
4. Coral Bells
USDA Zones: 4-11
Coral Bells, also known as Heuchera, are dramatic and interesting. They’re perfect for pots, and they come in a wide range of leaf textures and a huge spectrum of colors. The blooms pop up in the fall, but the foliage is stunning all year. It pairs well with many other fall plants in container displays as well, as long as you provide shade or partial sun in cold climates.
5. Stonecrop (Sedum sp.)
USDA Zones: 4-10
A hardy succulent that blooms later in the year, stonecrop is a type of Sedum that does well in extreme conditions like high winds, frost, and hot temperatures. The leaves are waxy and thick, and the red-pink flowers attract butterflies.
6. Verbena
USDA Zones: 6-10
Verbena is such a prolific bloomer, you can expect it to bloom well into the fall season. These are perfect fall flowers for pots, as they’re stunning in a container alone or with other flowering annuals. Blooms range from deep to bright reds, purple, pink, and dark blue. Hardy in temperatures as cold as 15F.
7. Celosia
USDA Zones: 9-11
With a traditional fall color palette, Celosia flowers are flame-like, easy-to-care-for, and love both humidity and sunshine. The annual comes in other varieties as well, such as cockscomb, that offers curvy blooms. In addition to container gardeners, this plant is a stunning accent in borders and landscape garden beds.
8. Toad Lily
USDA Zones: 4-9
Toad lilies’ orchid-like blooms flower during the same time most others die out for the season. They’re easy to care for in partial shade and well-draining, moist soil. The spotted flowers look stunning until late autumn, making them wonderful fall flowers for pots.
9. Helenium
USDA Zones: 3-8
Helenium is a cousin to the daisy, only the blooms range in sunset-colors from the end of summer to early fall. They’re easy to maintain, and their minimal requirements make them a perfect option for beginners or lazy gardeners. Plant a hybrid in a medium-sized container with rich soil for the best results, and make sure to deadhead to extend the blooming period.
10. Sweet Autumn Clematis
USDA Zones: 4-11
Tiny, white flowers that open from late summer to late fall, Sweet Autumn clematis may even extend into the winter if you live in a warm area. They add a sweet aroma to the air, and their luminous white blooms juxtapose beautifully against rich reds and oranges. The vine can grow quite large, so you’ll need a large pot and a trellis for support.
11. Caryopteris
USDA Zones: 5-9
With its deep blue flowers with gray-green foliage, Caryopteris is aromatic and rich in nectar. Expect the shrub to attract pollinators, and you must provide a full sun location for the best results.
12. Pansies
USDA Zones: 6-11
Pansies are perfect fall flowers for pots, as they’re extremely easy to grow in a moderate climate. The blooms last all year in warm climates, but you can grow them in most locations well into the fall.
13. Black-Eyed Susan
USDA Zones: 3-8
Although Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia) is typically considered a summer flower, the blooms last until Halloween. Additionally, its bright yellow shade is stunning in an autumn garden. They also come in two fall varieties known as “Autumn Colors” and “Autumn Sun.”
14. Aster
USDA Zones: 3-11
Similar to mums, asters erupt in daisy-like flowers in early fall. The purple flowers are loaded with nectar to attract butterflies and bees, and the color extends into the winter in frost-free planting zones. Michaelmas Daisy is a hardy type of aster that looks incredible in amongst complimentary flowers.
15. Million Bells
USDA Zones: 9-11
Million Bells are an array of showy, small flowers like petunias that flower from summer into fall. They come in a variety of colors and are a must-have in container gardens. If you live in a tropical climate, expect the blooms to last well into the winter in a patio pot.
16. Coneflower
USDA Zones: 3-8
Another member of the daisy family, the coneflower (Echinacea spp.) has raised centers and come in a range of bright shades like the autumn sky. A small or medium-sized container works well, depending on the cultivar you select. They only need full-sun and well-draining loose soil.
17. Flowering Kale
USDA Zones: 2-11
Flowering kale is also called flowering cabbage, and it’s a tough fall plant that withstands cold temperatures. In areas with mild winters, the blooms extend all year. They may be unexpected fall flowers for pots, but look amazing! The dramatic colors and textures pair well with other fall flowers, but don’t try to eat it. This kale is bred for ornamental purposes only.
18. Dianthus
USDA Zones: 3-9
Dianthus are stunning fall flowers for pots, with gorgeous, fragrant blooms. They come in a wide array of colors, from purple and red to white and pink. You can easily find a shade for your home. Just make sure to plant it near the patio, where you can enjoy the scent.
19. Sweet Alyssum
USDA Zones: 9-11
Another beautiful and fragrant bloom, Sweet Alyssum is tolerant of colder temperatures and blooms well into the winter in warmer areas. The plant grows in a creeping fashion along your yard, or you can plant it in containers where it’ll spill over the edges.
20. Viola
USDA Zones: 6-9 (sometimes up to 11)
Violas are cute, tiny pansy cousins that come in nearly any color. The versatile blooms are dainty, but the plants will handle heavy rain better than most other flowers. Fill a container with violas and calendula blooms, and enjoy their hues well into autumn.
21. Balloon Flower
USDA Zones: 3-8
Also known as a Chinese Bellflower, the Balloon Flower is a blue, bell-shaped flower that puffs up until it pops open. It’s easy to grow and hardy in sun or partial shade, and the plant even tolerates dry conditions for a short period of time.
22. White Snakeroot
USDA Zones: 3-8
White Snakeroot is a perennial wildflower that’s native to some regions, depending on where you live. The blooms appear in late summer into fall. The variety known as “bugbane” is especially ideal because it repels pests and attracts butterflies.
23. Beautyberry
USDA Zones: 5-8
Beautiful in any season, beautyberry is a fast-growing shrub with blooms that look like a cross between lilacs and purple berries. They appear in the spring and last well into winter in most locations, especially warm areas. In America, it’s native to southeastern states. Plant them in containers and harvest the fruit and seeds in September.
24. Creeping Jenny
USDA Zones: 3-9
Creeping Jenny is a perennial with bright, tiny yellow blooms. The flowers won’t last long, but the foliage is known to creep over the edge of the container. In zones 8 and 9, it’s a hardier semi-evergreen plant. Combine it in a pot with taller fall flowers for best effect.
25. Heather
USDA Zones: 5-7
Heather is a perennial in zones 7 and 8, while Mexican Heather grows better as an annual in pots. The foliage is fine-textured, and the flowers range from white and pink to purple. Expect this plant to take a lot of space. Although it may grow as far north as zone 3, it can be difficult to grow in some areas.
26. Iberis
USDA Zones: 4-8
The “Candytuft” variety is a white bloom that pops up twice per year: in the spring and again in late fall. When planted in a container, it will cascade over the side. This species prefers gravel-like soil and does best in full sun.
A Final Thought
There are plenty of fall plants that are perfect for containers that aren’t just flowers, and many of these look great when planted together in a large autumn-themed arrangement. Although they don’t grow their own flowers, Ornamental Pepper, Croton, and Purple Fountain Grass are excellent choices for a fall container garden. They add a nice pop of texture and look stunning next to other autumn blooms.
