11 Best Fall Container Plants for a Cozy Autumn Display

If you live somewhere that experiences milder autumns, potatoes are an ideal pick. “Potatoes grow great in containers and if you plant them in the fall, you will have a great harvest before the first frost,” says Chastain. If it gets too cold, simply move the container indoors to extend the growing period.

Pansies do well in chilly weather, making them a great choice for autumn, even if you live somewhere that’s a bit colder. “These are cold hardy and may even come back in the spring if there’s good snow cover or a mild winter,” says Lisa Edred Steinkopf, also known as The Houseplant Guru.

“Hardy greens like kale, lettuce, and cabbage are also a great choice. Like potatoes, they’ll be ready to harvest before the temperatures get too cold,” says Chastain. Plus, they can even get more colorful and taste a little sweeter as the weather gets colder.

Add some vertical height to your container garden with this colorful pick. “Snapdragons, like pansies, can come back if the winter is mild. These add color, new texture, and are great fillers,” says Steinkopf.

Not only are marigolds the perfect color for an autumn container garden—they also bloom from summer all the way to the first frost. Pair them next to pumpkins for a matching container garden display.

“Grasses add height and movement to a container,” says Steinkopf. Pair them with fall flowers like marigolds or pansies for added visual appeal.

A touch of purple might just be what you need this fall. “Violas are my favorite fall flower. They are just beautiful, happy flowers and they do really well in colder temperatures. They bounce back pretty fast from a colder night, too,” says Chastain.

The unusual, feathery-looking texture of celosia makes any fall container garden stand out. “These plants have become popular for fall containers and are usually sold in burgundy and orange colors for fall. They add height and drama to your container,” says Steinkopf.

Ornamental peppers will help you create a warm, autumn aesthetic wherever you display them. “They have those shiny orange and purple peppers that perfectly complement a fall container,” says Steinkopf.