17 Best Flowers To Plant In October To Add Color To Your Small Patio

If you have a small patio, you can still create a lush garden. The trick is to rely on various planters, hangers, and containers to hold all of your favorite plants. Flowers are a great option, as they are beautiful and don't often require a whole lot of space, unlike some fruit and vegetable plants. The one downside is that beautiful flowers are usually planted in spring or early summer, depending on your zone and frost dates. Many flowers struggle to handle the cold and the smaller amount of sun that comes with winter. Luckily, plenty of flowers still do well in the fall. Quite a few species can handle the cold to help you produce a stunning winter or very early spring garden.

Keep in mind that, while planting in colder climates is possible, the milder your climate, the better your chances of finding flowers to plant in the fall. Colder temperatures with harsh frosts and longer periods of freezing may lead you to struggle to find flora able to handle the harsh cold in a container. One major benefit of growing plants in pots is that if you have a little space in your home, you can always start them directly in the container in fall, and bring them inside to survive the harsh winter before they're ready to go back outside. You may have to be a little flexible, but it's definitely a possibility.

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are the perfect container plant to start in the fall, though they can be a little difficult to start from seed. These are tall flowers that grow in clusters and come in colors including white, yellow, orange, pink, and purple. They enjoy cooler weather, and in places like Florida or any zone higher than six, they can be planted directly into your container outside in October. They are hardy in zones seven through 10, but you can just bring them inside when it gets too cold.

Coneflowers (Echinacea spp.) excel in pots as long as you find one that can hold their deep roots. Most are cold-hardy from zones three through nine, which makes them ideal for fall planting, but you can look at different species to see if they are able to tolerate your zone or weather better. To plant these in the fall, you want to start them roughly six weeks before your first frost date to help the roots get established. Or you can just bring them inside until they have had time to grow fully if the cold is a risk.

Also known as Hylotelephium spp. (formerly Sedum spp.), stonecrops are flowering succulents hardy in zones four to nine. They have a lot of variety, with some growing as ground cover and others in tall clumps. These plants are fairly cold-hardy and do well all year long in their zones. There are a few varieties that do even better when planted in the fall. For example, Hylotelephium spectabile 'Autumn Fire' and Hylotelephium telephium 'Autumn Joy,' aka the sun-loving pink summer flower that doesn't need much water to thrive, are both great choices to plant in October in a container garden.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is a beautiful plant as yellow as its name. Various species are native throughout the U.S., and it's a wonderful choice to attract pollinators to your yard. While every species is a little different, in general, you can find goldenrod plants that thrive in zones two through eight, though some can handle more extreme temperatures on either side. This flower is also a gorgeous perennial that you could be adding to your floral arrangements to brighten up the inside of your home, as well as the patio.

If you live somewhere without a lot of frost, such as USDA zones six or higher, you can plant Dahlias (Dahlia spp.) in the fall, around September or October, as they do well being overwintered. If you live in a place where frost is a danger, you can always plant your Dahlias in a pot in the fall, and bring them inside until the fear of frost has passed, then you can put the pot back outside. However, make sure your patio matches their needs since, even in containers, there are certain places where they just won't thrive.

Chinese lanterns (Physalis alkekengi) are hardy in zones three through 10. This one is a bit of a cheat, because although it does have beautiful white flowers, the fruit is what really makes this plant stand out. Large red pods that look a lot like paper lanterns catch the eye. Though they are commonly started in spring after frost, they can potentially be planted in October in zones eight to 10. Despite their beauty, they are poisonous, so you may want to think twice before using these in your garden or on planters on your patio if you have children or pets.

While many asters (Aster spp.) are a great choice to grow in your pots in the fall, New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) are one of the best. The hot summer sun usually damages them, so planting them in fall or early spring is ideal. They grow in Zones four to eight, and produce an abundance of pink, purple, and white flowers. Additionally, New England asters are a perennial plant to grow with your mums for a showstopping fall garden, so you can mix and match a few plants in a container to really get a stunning burst of blooms on your patio.

Petunias (Petunia spp.) do well when planted in the fall, especially if you live in warmer areas. They tend to bloom better if temperatures are below 60 degrees Fahrenheit when it's time for them to flower. They are perennials in zones nine to 11, but can be annuals in some lower zones. They work well in containers, and they get along with other plants so you can create pots with their companion plants. Just be sure to plant them somewhere in full sun, or be prepared to move them around throughout the day to allow them to get maximum light.

Fuchsias (Fuchsia spp.) are great for planters or hanging baskets on a patio, especially when planted by themselves. In places with milder falls and winters, October is a great time to plant them. Most varieties are durable in zones six to 11, though of course, you can always find certain kinds that are a little more flexible or durable. You may also consider looking at the beautiful varieties of fuchsia to grow in your garden to attract hummingbirds if you're looking for some beautiful blooms for next spring as well.

Strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are self-seeding flowers that'll keep your garden bursting with color into fall in zones eight to 11, but you can also plant them in October if you have milder weather. These are big and beautiful plants that will stand out and look great on a patio. There are many varieties in a wide range of colors. Plus, once they germinate, they are pretty easy to take care of — just what you're looking for in a container garden.

Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) are another stunning flower that does excellent in the fall. While these plants are mostly known for their amazing foliage, they do grow beautiful flowers that shouldn't be overlooked. They are a perfect companion in a container plant because, even when they aren't flowering, they add a bit of color and contrast to other plants you might have in the same pot. There are many striking varieties of coral bells you should be growing in your garden, as long as you are in USDA zones four to nine.

Blanket flowers (Gaillardia spp.) are colorful and bring many pollinators to your patio, including butterflies. They can come in lots of colors, ranging from red to yellow, and are often multi-colored. Several varieties are native to parts of the United States, and they tend to do best in zones five to nine. If you have milder winters, October is a great time to directly sow the seeds into your container. They enjoy full sun and are pretty low maintenance, making them easy to care for once they bloom.

Pigsqueaks (Bergenia crassifolia) are a spectacular spring-blooming flower that thrives in both shade and sun, but you can also plant them in the fall if you live somewhere with little to no frost. It tends to do best in zones four to eight. They are big and bold perennial plants with large leaves and eye-catching flowers. Because of their size, they can take up a whole pot by themselves, but they can work in a mixed container with other plants for contrast too. Pigsqueak is also used as a tea substitute sometimes due to its high tannin level.

Crocuses (Crocus spp.) are easy-to-grow flower bulbs you should plant in August for dazzling fall blooms, but despite their name, Autumn crocuses actually do better planted in the summer. Instead, try to find one of the varieties that thrive in the fall, like 'Flower Record' or 'Giant Joan of Arc.' Crocuses also go well when paired with daffodils and tulips to make for a bold and beautiful flower garden. These are durable flowers that are hardy throughout the winter in zones three to eight and sometimes even appear while there is still snow on the ground.

Sweet alyssums (Lobularia maritima) are perfect for pots paired with other plants. If you plant sweet alyssium in a pot alongside plants like daffodils, irises, and tulips, you can use your container garden all year long — since they pop up in different seasons, you always have stunning blooms. The best spot in your garden to plant sweet alyssum is in an area with a lot of sun and moisture, but you can recreate its needs in a pot on your patio. It's an annual in zones five-eight and a perennial from nine to 11.

Common sneezeweeds (Helenium autumnale) are found all over the continental United States and are hardy in zones three through eight. It's a beautiful plant that's perfect to start growing in the fall in a container to produce orange, yellow, and red blooms. However, it grows quickly, so be sure to place it in a big pot or get used to regular repotting. Plant sneezeweeds carefully though. While this plant looks amazing, it is poisonous, and may not be ideal to place where it's easy for children and pets to reach.

Million bells (Calibrachoa spp.) are the perfect flower to start in October if you want lots of beautiful blooms in zones nine to 11. These plants tend to look like mini-petunias and come in a wide range of colors. There are plenty of varieties of million bells flowers that will attract pollinators to your yard or patio, but there are also some that work well to give you a burst of color in the fall and winter. This plant produces an abundance of small flowers and tends to trail, which makes it absolutely perfect for hanging baskets around your patio.