The Striking Fall-Colored Plant To Grow With Mums For Beautiful Curb Appeal

Who doesn't love mums in autumn? The beautiful fall-blooming flowers bring moody seasonal colors to your porch and yard. But growing certain plants next to the mums can boost your curb appeal even more. One of the best plants to grow alongside your mums for the best autumnal display is the lush, gorgeous croton (Codiaeum variegatum).

Unlike mums, crotons are grown for their foliage rather than their flowers; with a mix of green, red, orange, and yellow leaves, their colors just scream fall. And while mums can be planted in the ground to come back every year, crotons are typically grown as houseplants due to their tropical origins and lack of cold hardiness. However, they can be perfect for adding to your porch during autumn to complement your mums as well. Just be sure to grow them in a planter, so you can easily bring them inside or to a more protected area as temperatures dip. Crotons are perennial, so once fall is over and you bring them indoors, they will continue thriving, and their big leaves will add drama to your home during the cold winter months.

Crotons thrive in full to part sun, though they have the brightest colors when grown in sunnier spots. Make sure your croton's soil is well draining but keep it moist, especially if you're growing the plant in a location with full sun exposure. They also appreciate high humidity. As they are hardy only in USDA zones 11 and higher, be sure to keep an eye on the weather and move your crotons indoors if temperatures dip below 50 degrees. 

As long as temperatures stay warm, you can grow your crotons in the same planter as your mums, since they enjoy similar soil and light conditions. Alternatively, you could grow them next to each other in planters of different heights and sizes, creating a beautiful display and making it easier to bring the crotons indoors when temperatures drop. Be sure to harden off your croton plant when transitioning it from outdoors to indoors.