When the trees are a riotous explosion of yellow, orange, and scarlet, it’s all too natural to want to bring all of that seasonal magic home with you. Thank goodness, then, that there are so many wonderful fall-colored houseplants to choose from.
It doesn’t matter if you’re still on your beginner’s guide to houseplants, or an absolute pro with an indoor specimen, each of these leafy lovelies are so cosily, colorfully autumnal that they’re guaranteed to (almost!) have the iconic ‘la la la’ magic of the Gilmore Girls soundtrack ringing in your ears.
Clear your windowsill, then, and look out the best containers you can find – it’s a safe bet that you’re going to be adopting plenty of plant babies as you work your way through this list…
1. Oxalis
Call it oxalis or a potted shamrock plant, the result is the same: stunning clover-shaped leaves in vivid fall shades of green, red, or purple, depending on which specimen you plump for.
They need bright, indirect light, and they need you to find a home for them that is cool at night (60°F) and warm during the day (70°F). And don’t forget the well-draining potting mix, either.
While you can absolutely grow these houseplants from bulbs, you could just as easily grab yourself a Purple Oxalis Triangularis Live Plant from Amazon and enjoy all those wonderful jewel tones from the get-go. It just depends on how patient you’re feeling…
2. Iresine Bloodleaf
When it comes to houseplants in magical fall colors, your mind tends to leap to those with glossy red leaves or flowers. The Iresine bloodleaf plant, though, is a little different.
It has vivid red veins running through its leaves, creating a truly spectacular (and Halloween-appropriate) effect. Pop them by a south-facing window, in a pot filled with loamy soil-based potting mix, and keep their soil moist.
You can buy a Bloodleaf Plant from Walmart (or bulk buy up to four, if you really want maximum impact).
3. Anthurium
Another fall-colored houseplant with a string of nicknames, anthurium plants are also known as flamingo flowers, flamingo lilies, painter’s palettes, and tailflowers, depending on who you’re talking to.
It’s a beautifully low maintenance houseplant, too, and its large, waxy, and (usually) bright red spathe? More than enough reason to shine a spotlight on it during the darker, colder months, we say; try Walmart’s Tall Red Anthurium if you fancy doing exactly that.
4. Red Veined Nerve Plant
Nerve plants (or fittonias, if you prefer) are undeniably beautiful evergreen perennials, and they certainly fit the fall theme thanks to their crimson veined leaves.
That being said, this isn’t exactly a beginner-friendly option; they need bright but indirect light, to mimic their rainforest home, and plenty of humidity. If you have a north-facing bathroom window, then, this is absolutely the plant for you.
So long as you have that perfect spot (and you’re equipped to give them all the TLC they need in terms of pruning, misting, and fertilising), then pick up a Red Veined Nerve Plant from Walmart and make it the centrepiece of your Halloween display, stat.
5. Chinese Evergreen
Chinese evergreen (a common name for several species in the Aglaonema family) are native to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Which means, yes, this houseplant might look at home in an autumnal landscape, but it positively craves a warm, moist and dappled-to-shady environment.
While it doesn’t need much in the way of light levels, though, you’ll need to keep the thermostat between 68 and 77 degrees if you want it to survive and thrive.
There are many different cultivars in many different colors, but you can buy a rare Red Chinese Evergreen from Amazon if you want to recreate that autumnal glow at home. Win!
6. Croton
Not to be mistaken for the toasted bread pieces atop your Caeser salad (all hail the crouton), croton plants crave full light, plenty of warmth, and humid conditions; keeping yours in a pebble tray or misting it regularly should do the trick.
These houseplants also need to be fertilised twice a year, too, but don’t be put off; other than that, they’re not too fussy.
Walmart’s Croton Mammy has variegated leaves in vivid shades of yellow, purple, red, and green, which means it packs a serious fall color punch.
7. Polka Dot Begonia
The Polka Dot begonia (Begonia maculata) is a rare houseplant that boasts wing-shaped leaves in glossy green and rusty-red, covered in – you guessed it – polka dots!
Those vivid colors require plenty of bright light to keep them looking their best, and take care to avoid popping this plant in any cold spots; it needs to be kept between 65-86°F, otherwise you’re in for a bad time.
Still, once you clap eyes on this Polka Dot Begonia from Walmart, you’ll be willing to do pretty much anything to keep this houseplant alive and well through fall and beyond. It really is that pretty.
With so many fabulous fall-colored houseplants to choose from, all that’s left for you to do is wonder how many you can possibly squeeze into your home. Race you to the checkout…
