Fall Planter Ideas

When summer flowers start to fade, I don’t toss my containers—I transform them into beautiful fall planters. With just a few small additions, those tired summer pots can become full, colorful displays with mums, pumpkins, purple fountain grass, and dried hydrangeas.

This is one of my favorite fall porch planters because it looks big and welcoming, but it was inexpensive. By reusing grasses and repurposing items I already had, I only needed a couple of small purchases to make it complete.

If you love saving money with seasonal planters, also check out my Simple, Inexpensive Fall Planters and this easy Pumpkin Vase Centerpiece.

Best Fall Planter Ideas for Front Porch Displays

A successful fall planter balances structure, color, and filler. Here’s how to style one container that looks lush and intentional:

• Height – Keep your purple fountain grass from summer. It adds movement and height that’s hard to replicate in fall. Every spring I intentionally plan and buy purple fountain grass knowing I'll use it again in the fall.
• Seasonal color – Plant two small mums instead of one large one. They’re cheaper and easier to replace if the bloom cycle ends.
• Pumpkins – Nestle a medium pumpkin front and center. Adding one smaller pumpkin to the side makes the display feel balanced.
• Fillers – Cut dried hydrangeas from your yard. They dry beautifully and add free bulk to the planter.
• Trailing plants – Alyssum or ivy soften the edges and tolerate frost well.

How to Reuse Summer Containers for Fall Planters

The cheapest way to refresh your porch is to reuse summer planters rather than starting from scratch. Here’s how I do it:

1. Save the best plants – Keep any healthy grasses or upright thrillers. Remove the tired summer annuals.
2. Freshen the soil – Loosen the top few inches, and add fresh mix if the level has dropped.
3. Elevate the pumpkin – Place an empty nursery pot in the soil where the pumpkin will sit. This keeps it from touching wet soil and prevents early rot.
4. Add mums – Plant two small mums slightly off-center. Small pots are budget-friendly and easy to replace mid-season.
5. Fill with hydrangeas – Slide cut hydrangea stems into bare areas for instant fullness.
6. Edge the container – Optional - add alyssum, ivy, or another frost-tolerant trailing plant. I do this if my existing plants look good. But, some years, they don't.

This approach gives you a cheap fall planter idea that looks custom but uses mostly what you already have.

Fall Planter Ideas With Mums

Mums are the star of most fall porch planters. To stretch your budget and keep your pots looking fresh longer:

• Choose smaller mums ($4–5 range) instead of one large plant.
• Buy different bloom stages so some are just opening while others are in full color.
• Don’t be afraid to swap out fading mums. It’s an inexpensive way to keep planters looking fresh through October and November.

Creative Fall Planter Ideas With Pumpkins

Pumpkins aren’t just for carving - they’re one of the easiest ways to dress up outdoor containers.

• Place pumpkins on a riser (plastic pot).
• Try a mix of orange, white, and green pumpkins for contrast.
• Use mini pumpkins tucked at the edges as natural “filler.”
• Want more inspiration? Try my Pumpkin Vase Tutorial for a unique fall centerpiece.

Use Dried Hydrangeas as Free Filler

Don’t overlook your yard! Dried hydrangeas are one of my favorite ways to bulk up fall planters:

• Vanilla Strawberry and Limelight varieties dry beautifully. See How to Dry Hydrangeas.
• Snip stems and push them directly into soil.
• Keep containers in a covered spot to help hydrangeas stay colorful instead of turning brown.

They make any planter look lush without costing a dime.

Pro Tip - If you do use dried hydrangeas, they should be sheltered from the rain. They can go really brown if they get too wet too often.

Easy DIY Fall Planter Ideas: Quick Takeaways

• Buy grasses in spring (cheap and small) and reuse them in fall.
• Use small mums and replace as needed.
• Sink pumpkins on risers to prevent rot.
• Fill gaps with dried hydrangeas for instant fullness.
• Add trailing alyssum for frost tolerance.

Fall Porch Planter FAQs

More Easy Fall Planters & Projects

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*First published Sept. 6, 2015.