Get ideas for easy and affordable ways to update your fall planter. Using plants still looking good and purchasing a few new ones to freshen up for fall.
By the time fall arrives some planters are looking really rangy, while others are still going strong. I hate ripping out perfectly beautiful plants for those planters that still look really good, but I also love decorating for fall. Often I try to marry the two by updating a planter for fall and keeping some of the good looking plants a little while longer.

Updating Your Fall Planter
Sometimes updating a fall planter means getting creative.
In the image above you can see my shady front porch planter at the end of summer. The blue bells are a little skimpy and the Bacopa looks pretty bad, but the other plants still look pretty good.

All you need to do is buy a few key "fall" plants to spruce up the current planter. I decided to choose cool colors that would coordinate well with the plants already in the pot. I chose a raspberry colored mum, a pretty green and purple ornamental cabbage. They work really well with the magenta in the Perilla Magilla, and the blue-gray of the begonia.
These plants would normally need more sun than I have on this porch, however, the leaves are falling quickly on the maple tree that shades this area, so they should do okay. I also picked up a new heirloom pumpkin and placed it right up front in the planter for a little added texture and a little traditional fall color.

Surrounding the base with dried gourds and faux pumpkins I have in my fall stash finishes the look.
This fall planter decoration took about 20 minutes to put together and cost me about $12. You could easily place one of the gourds or the faux pumpkins in the planter instead of purchasing a real pumpkin.
At this time of year, mums are everywhere and are a great fall choice. Other options include ornamental vegetables like flowering kale and the ornamental cabbage I purchased. Often you can find pansies in a wide range of colors as they do great with the cool weather.
Also, don't be afraid to add non-plant accent pieces like the pumpkin. Indian corn, fresh gourds, and corn husks can add a nice fall touch to your planter too.
My mom was big on sayings like, "Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater." I think that oldie but goodie fits in this instance. Don't throw out your good plants and replace them all. Just update them for fall.


Bev Fisher
Thank you for the great suggestions and lovely pictures. I am glad I came across your surely
Bev Fisher
Norfolk, Ne
Bev Fisher
Oops! I am glad I came across your SITE!!!
Patti Estep
Hi Bev,
I'm so glad you found me too.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Patti
Lori Benefield
I like your Fall planters, here in Texas we are spoiled by warm weather.Hurricane Harvey ruined a lot of my planters though.So thanks for the fresh ideas. Lori Benefield
Patti Estep
Hi Lori,
I'm so sorry to hear about the damage you have from Harvey. Hopefully you will be able to move forward with fresh plantings to enjoy.