12 Best Flowers To Start Planting In Pots In October

As the seasons change, some flowers start to fade and prepare for winter. Others, however, are just getting started! If your porch or window could use a bit of color this October, it may be time to start a container garden. You can keep things classic with a pot of fall mums or get creative with some DIY gardening containers full of celosia. You don't need to limit yourself to fall colors, either. While oranges and yellows will look gorgeous surrounded by your fall porch decor, there's no reason to ignore all the lovely blue and purple flowers if you prefer them.

When planning your October container garden, it's crucial to know your hardiness zone. Depending on where you live, October can be hot, balmy, slightly cool, or even close to freezing. That will impact which plants you can grow outdoors, as not all plants are cold hardy. Knowing what temperature range to expect in October will give you a better idea of which plants will make nice potted decor for your front porch and which should be brought indoors to liven up your table or windows. If you're just starting out, this beginner's guide to USDA hardiness zones can help you understand the zones a little better. You should also consider how much light your porch, patio, or house gets. During fall, we generally get less sunlight and the angle of the sun changes. Parts of your home and yard that previously got plenty of bright light may be a bit shadier in fall, which can impact your plants.

Mums (Chrysanthemum spp.) are a popular potted flower for fall. They come in many shades of yellow, orange, red, pink and white. People often set out pots of mums as annual porch decor, although some mum varieties are perennials. If you keep the pot indoors or in a sheltered place over winter, you may be able to put them out again next year. Mums are generally hardy in zones 5 through 9, but you can usually grow them indoors or as annuals outside of that range. Mums are also readily available at garden centers and flower shops in October.

As one of the birth month flowers of October, cosmos (Cosmos spp.) is naturally a great fit for October container gardens. The most commonly grown cosmos species are annuals, meaning you can grow them in any zone if you replant them each year. However, there are some perennial cosmos, such as chocolate cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus), which is hardy in zones 7 through 9. Cosmos grow well in containers and continue blooming until the first frost of the year. If you have an early frost date, you can start the seeds indoors in October and move them outdoors in spring.

Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) are the second October birth flower, and they're also associated with fall in general. A pot of marigolds on your porch, patio, or window sill is a fantastic way to brighten up your October decor. You can grow them as annuals or indoors in any zone, but there are a few species that are perennials in zones 8 through 11. Marigolds bloom throughout summer and fall, until the first frost of the year, so you can expect to see flowers through October and potentially into November if you live in the warmest parts of the country. 

If classic fall colors don't suit your mood, purple blooming heliotrope (Heliotropium spp.) might be the perfect fit. Also called cherry pie plant, heliotrope is an easy to grow flower that smells like sweet cherries and is hardy as a perennial in zones 9 through 11, or as an annual down to zone 7. It can continue blooming into November in some cases, so you can add it to your porch or patio in October and enjoy the flowers for a while yet. In particular, heliotrope's sweet scent and deep purple flowers make it a lovely accent for Halloween decor.

Whether you prefer the classic bright yellows of fall or a more sedate shade of purple, celosia (Celosia spp.) has you covered. They're compact and highly textured, with either a feathery or wavy shape, depending on the variety you plant. This makes them fantastic potted plants, and they're able to continue blooming through fall so you can enjoy them throughout October. Celosia is only a perennial in zones 10 and 11. However, you can grow them as annuals or keep them indoors in colder zones. Potted celosias would make a lovely addition to your October decor, indoors or out.

Lantana (Lantana spp.) is a popular addition to summer butterfly gardens, but it will keep flowering through fall. You can get potted lantana plants for your porch or patio in October and enjoy plenty of flowers until the first hard frost arrives. In areas with little to no frost, it can even keep blooming into winter. It's only hardy as a perennial in zones 7 through 11, but can be grown as an annual. You may be able to move it indoors as well, although the larger size and need for full sun can make it trickier for some.

If you need a flower that's just starting to bloom, there are several types of salvia (Salvia spp.) you should consider. Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) is a gorgeous plant with red flowers that bloom late in the year, often beginning in September or October. Purple sage (Salvia purpurea) is another option, with varieties like 'Lavender Lace' blooming through fall and winter. Both are only perennials in warmer zones, with pineapple sage growing in zones 8 through 10 and purple sage growing in zones 9 through 11. Additionally, they can get fairly large, so you may need a big container.

Calibrachoa (Calibrachoa spp.), also called million bells or trailing petunia, is the perfect plant if you want a pot bursting with flowers for your porch. They come in a staggering array of colors, from delicate pale yellow to dramatic two-tone pink and black. Calibrachoa is hardy from zones 9 through 11, although some hybrids have increased cold hardiness and can be grown up to zone 7. Grab some potted calibrachoa in October to line your walkways or fill your hanging baskets and create a stunning fall display. They bloom until the first frost and can be brought indoors.

Garden petunias (Petunia x hybrida) are gorgeous annuals that look particularly sweet in pots or hanging baskets. They have long blooming seasons, often lasting until the first frost of fall. As perennials, petunias are hardy in zones 9 through 11. October is a fantastic time to plant petunias in that range, as they'll continue to grow throughout the winter. Don't worry if you live further north, though. You can still enjoy petunias as annuals in a pot on your porch or indoors. Just make sure you have plenty of natural light for them to enjoy if they're indoors.

Zinnias (Zinnia spp.) are bright, beautiful, and versatile. If your porch needs a quick pick-me-up in October, planting some zinnias in a pot and setting them by your stairs or on the railing is a great option. They're annuals, so you don't need to worry about hardiness zones unless you have an early frost coming. Zinnias start blooming in summer and they don't stop until the frost sets in. If your zinnias are fading sooner than you'd like, don't worry. After the flowers, zinnias produce seeds that birds sometimes enjoy, making them worth keeping on your porch through October.

If you're not looking for immediate flowers, you can plant lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) seeds in pots starting in October. The seeds don't take long to germinate, but they grow slowly. It can take months for them to be ready to transplant, so starting them in late fall or winter is ideal. When they bloom next year, you can expect gorgeous papery flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white, which are hardy in zones 8 through 10. The flowers open in summer and can last until the first frost of the year, meaning you may see flowers next October.

Tall sedum (Hylotelephium spp.), also called stonecrop, is a perennial succulent with beautiful pink, purple, or red flowers. In addition to being taller than low-growing sedum, tall sedum tends to have a later bloom time. That's perfect if you're craving some fall color with a bit of height for your porch this October. Tall sedum is generally hardy in zones 3 through 9, making this a good fit for gardeners in cooler climates. Don't let the name worry you, either! Tall sedum isn't too tall for containers, and it can be grown both indoors and out.