Many people want to decorate their house with some houseplants appropriate for the fall season, but they forget to take into account the upcoming shorter days and chillier weather.
In this article, I will show you houseplants that serve as the perfect decoration for the fall.
Here are the absolute best houseplants for the fall and how to care for them:
1. Chrysanthemum
A beautiful and popular plant, the chrysanthemum is a great way to brighten your home up in the fall.
When the temperatures start to lower and daylight levels decrease, put it close to a window to encourage it to flower (in the summer, a windowsill will often prove too hot and may kill it).
These plants have beautiful, vivid flowers that come in various colors, and a sweet scent.
Temperature: 20 – 90 degrees F (-6 to 32°C), but not in full sunlight.
Flowers: late July to October.
Water: regular watering but less in winter.
Light: bright light but no direct sun.
Soil: any well-draining soil.
2. Amaryllis
If you love red, pink, white, or occasionally green flowers, the amaryllis is the perfect fall option.
These plants are impressive and have huge, showy blooms that will bring extraordinary color to your home.
Amaryllis generally bloom around 7 weeks after they have been planted, so you can encourage blooming at any time of year, including in the fall.
Temperature: 70 – 75 degrees F (21 to 24°C).
Flowers: December but can be earlier, depending on planting.
Water: when the soil is dry to 2 cm down.
Light: bright, indirect light but will tolerate some sun.
Soil: well-draining soil.
3. Christmas Cactus
It might feel unconventional to have a plant called Christmas cactus on the list, but they make great late fall plants.
As the name suggests, the Christmas cactus does tend to flower later in the year, but it will often flower in the fall, and you may be able to encourage it to do so.
If you can, it will produce amazing, bright blossoms in red or pink.
Christmas cactus makes a beautiful table display and is often in flower by November, making it ideal for brightening up your Thanksgiving dinner!
Temperature: 60 – 65 degrees (15 to 18°C) F to promote flowering.
Flowers: October/November/December, depending on the temperature and lighting.
Water: keep the soil fairly dry, especially in winter.
Light: bright, indirect light, but at least 16 hours of darkness to produce flowers.
Soil: potting mix and perlite to promote drainage.
4. Goldfish Plant (Nematanthus)
Sometimes known as the “guppy plant,” the goldfish plant has bright orange and red flowers that, unsurprisingly, resemble fish.
It’s a lovely hanging plant and if you look after it well, its summer flowers will last into the fall.
Goldfish plants will bring a splash of delightful classical fall colors to your house for months on end, and the foliage is highly attractive too.
Temperature: 65 – 85 degrees F (18 to 29°C).
Flowers: usually spring and summer, but can bloom year-round.
Water: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry before watering. Water less in winter.
Light: bright, indirect light.
Soil: mix of potting soil and perlite.
5. African Violet (Saintpaulia)
If you haven’t got a well-lit window, you may be struggling to find plants that will bloom in the fall.
However, there are some out there!
The African violet is happy in shade, and although it does like a little bit of sun it will flower without any problems in the fall.
It has gorgeous, soft-colored blooms that are velvety and attractive.
Its flowers can be white, purple, or blue, which is a nice contrast to many of the red options we have looked at so far.
On top of that, the african violet might just be the most popular flowering houseplant in the world, so there are thousands of varieties to choose from.
Temperature: 65 – 80 degrees F (18 to 27°C).
Flowers: almost all year if properly cared for.
Water: fairly often but allow the soil to dry in between.
Light: some bright light to promote flowering, but no direct sun.
Soil: loose, well-drained soil with coconut coir and perlite.
6. Purple Sorrel (Oxalis Triangularis)
Otherwise known as the shamrock plant, purple sorrel is attractive even when it is only in leaf, but it will usually produce its flowers in the fall too.
It has deep purple, delicate leaves that are variegated, and it produces pale pink flowers.
You can even eat the leaves, which have a sour taste and work well in salads. This plant doesn’t like strong direct light, making it ideal for the fall and winter.
Temperature: 60 – 75 degrees F (15 to 24°C).
Flowers: from fall to spring.
Water: about once every two weeks.
Light: morning sun or no direct sunlight.
Soil: sandy, well-drained soil.
7. Croton (Codiaeum Variegatum)
If you are more interested in leaf color than in flowers, the croton is a perfect autumnal plant.
It grows leaves in the classic fall colors: red, orange, yellow, and hints of green.
Different plants can vary massively in their colors, but they are ideal for making the most of the fall without having to wait for your plant to bloom.
Temperature: 60 – 80 degrees F (15 to 27°C).
Flowers: crotons rarely flower indoors, so flowering may be random.
Water: when the soil starts to dry out or the leaves wilt.
Light: direct, bright light for 6-8 hours per day (or use a grow bulb).
Soil: rich, well-draining soil.
8. Flamingo Flower (Anthurium)
The anthurium can flower at any time of the year, although it is slightly less likely to produce flowers once winter hits.
Anthurium is perfect for fall, though; it has bright red “flowers” that are waxy, glossy, and very striking.
Against its dark green foliage, these heart-shaped flowers are a great way to make the inside of your home look festive as the colder months close in.
The flowers are long-lasting, too, so you may be able to enjoy them for around three months at a time.
Temperature: 70 – 85 degrees F (21 to 29°C).
Flowers: in almost any season.
Water: when the pot is almost halfway dry.
Light: medium to bright light if you want to see flowers.
Soil: orchid mix with sand and moss for drainage.
9. Flowering Maple (Abutilon)
If you’re after a larger houseplant, you might love the flowering maple, which is technically a shrub but can be grown indoors in a big container.
Flowering maple makes a great houseplant for the fall because of its beautiful flowers that look like hoop skirts, usually in red, pink, or orange.
They can be veined with different colors, or one solid color.
This plant typically blooms in the summer and the fall, and you can grow it in hanging baskets if you are short on space.
It has a long flowering season, provided its needs are met.
Temperature: 50 – 54 degrees F (10 to 12°C).
Flowers: year-round but especially summer and fall.
Water: light watering to keep the soil moist but not sodden.
Light: plenty of light to produce flowers, so choose a sunny windowsill.
Soil: rich, well-drained soil.
10. Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima)
Poinsettia plants have amazing foliage and offer a rich display of red and green that is ideal for the colder months.
They bloom from October to December in most cases, but you need to pay attention to how much light they get if you want them to produce attractive foliage.
The red leaves are based on lack of light, and flowers will also be triggered by darkness.
You should cut off light (including artificial light) for at least 12 hours each day to enjoy this plant’s full color range.
Try placing a cardboard box over it at night if you can’t keep the room dark.
Temperature: 65 – 70 degrees F (18 to 21°C).
Flowers: October – December.
Water: when the surface of the soil is dry.
Light: six hours of bright light (no direct sun) and a period of darkness each day.
Soil: loose, well-drained soil.
11. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus)
As you might expect, this plant has bright red, elongated flowers.
Lipstick plants can bloom year-round, but they tend to be at their best in the fall, and the flowers are showy and attractive.
They have dark purple cups around them, making them look very much like tubes of lipstick.
These plants look lovely in hanging baskets and are a relative of the African violet, so why not have one of each to bring some variety to your home?
Temperature: 65 – 75 degrees F (18 to 24°C).
Flowers: throughout the year, but it produces most of its flowers in the late summer and early fall.
Water: moisten the soil regularly but don’t leave it sodden.
Light: bright light but limited direct sunlight.
Soil: well-drained, neutral soil.
12. Begonia
Begonias are popular plants and although they start flowering in the summer, they may keep flowering into the fall if you look after them well.
Begonias prefer lower light conditions, which makes them perfect for fall.
They also have a long flowering season, so they’ll keep your house bright and pretty for days on end.
Begonias come in many colors, including an “apricot” variation, exhibiting the quintessential fall colors.
Temperature: 60 – 75 degrees F (15 to 24°C).
Flowers: from summer until fall (outdoor varieties will stop flowering when frosts hit).
Water: keep the soil slightly damp and humidify the plant.
Light: bright, indirect light.
Soil: sandy, well-drained soil.
13. Red Ripple Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)
If you want a splash of dark color for your windowsill in the fall, the red ripple peperomia is perfect.
This plant has dark, burgundy leaves that are ridged and textured, and it’s very distinctive.
There are other ripple peperomias, but the red ripple peperomia is perfect because it’s particularly autumnal with its deep shades of wine color.
It can also flower in the fall, although the main attraction would always be the leaves.
Temperature: 65 – 75 degrees F (18 to 24°C).
Flowers: from summer to fall, but the foliage is the attraction of this plant.
Water: let the soil dry to an inch down.
Light: low to medium light.
Soil: loose soil mix with added perlite.
FAQs
Will Fall Houseplants Survive The Winter?
Yes, most fall houseplants should survive the winter as long as they are kept reasonably warm. Do not leave your houseplants outside when temperatures drop, or put them near open windows or doors. This should ensure that they are kept warm enough to survive the winter.
Do Houseplants Grow In The Fall?
Not all houseplants keep growing in the fall. Some will continue to grow throughout the fall, while others will slow down or go into a period of dormancy. Many plants struggle to get enough light to grow when the days get shorter.
Should You Fertilize Houseplants In The Fall?
Most houseplants won’t need much (if any) fertilizer in the fall, and it’s best to slow down or stop fertilizing them before winter. However, this is somewhat dependent on the plant, so research the specific variety that you are dealing with and fertilize accordingly.
Can You Repot Houseplants In The Fall?
Yes, most plants will tolerate repotting in the fall but it’s generally better to repot houseplants in the spring so that they can settle into the new pot and launch directly into a new period of growth. However, if that isn’t feasible in your situation, you can repot your plant in the fall.
Can You Move Houseplants Outside In The Fall?
It’s not generally a good idea to move houseplants outside in the fall. They will not appreciate the sudden temperature drop and with winter approaching, this is only going to get worse. As a general rule, try to only put plants out in the summer, and bring them indoors for winter.
Conclusion
There are many amazing plants that you can use to brighten up your home when the fall takes over.
Make sure you choose varieties that will thrive, and look after them in a way that promotes blooming.
If you don’t want to deal with flowers, choose varieties like the croton, which has flashy fall foliage at all times.
