Create an Upside Down Garden with These Dark Plants Inspired by Stranger Things

If you’ve ever wished your garden could look like the eerie, otherworldly Upside Down from Stranger Things, now’s your chance to bring a little of Hawkins’ strange dimension into your own backyard… without any actual Demogorgons, thankfully.

Yes, we’re serious; in fact, recreating the Upside Down in gardens has become something of a trend of late, particularly among devoted fans of the show. From Halloween displays to winter container planting, gardeners are embracing the dark foliage, dramatic textures, and unusual blooms so often found in gothic garden designs to evoke the series’ signature creepy-cool vibe.

“Plants that have extremely dark purple foliage and flowers ‘read’ as black in the garden. They can really evoke the mood of an otherworldly landscape like the Upside Down,” promises Andrew Bunting, VP of Horticulture for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and author of The Plant Lover's Guide To Magnolias (available on Amazon).

Here, then, are some of his top picks for creating your Upside Down-inspired garden, whatever USDA Hardiness Zone you’re in.

1. Creeping Vines

For true Stranger Things-inspired magic, drape your garden structures in darkness using Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and climbing hydrangea. Both of these should create tangled, dramatic vertical elements perfect for evoking that shadowy, otherworldly feel., according to Andrew.

Better still? Their creeping growth can cover fences, trellises, or walls, adding instant atmosphere.

2. The Black Bat Flower

The black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri) might be a tropical stunner, but it looks as if it’s been lifted straight out of a horror scene, thanks to its long whisker-like protrusions and dark, almost black flowers that resemble a bat’s face.

“Its unusual form and deep colour make it a fantastic statement plant for an Upside Down aesthetic,” notes Andrew.

Get the Stranger Things look in your garden:

3. Elephant Ears

Nothing says otherworldly Upside Down like oversized leaves. To really nail that Stranger Things look, Andrew suggests you try elephant ear (Colocasia esculenta) varieties such as ‘Illustris’, ‘Coal Miner’, ‘Black Magic’, and ‘Black Coral’.

All provide bold textures and deep, moody tones that make any garden feel surreal. All, too, make incredibly spooky porch plants.

4. Black Mondo Grass

For a low-growing, mysterious touch worthy of a Stranger Things set, Andrew says that black mondo grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) is basically unbeatable.

Its arching, blade-like leaves are great for eerie shadows and rustling sounds, not to mention adding a velvety, textural layer to borders and pathways. Win!

5. Black and Glow-in-the-Dark Flowers

Petunias like ‘Black Cat’ and ‘Phantom’ offer cascading, velvety blooms in dramatic dark hues, and ‘Night Sky’ (seen above) definitely feels Upside Down-esque. Meanwhile, Petunia ‘Firefly’ is the first genetically modified glow-in-the-dark petunia... which makes it a superpowered Eleven in the plant world.

No wonder Andrew says all are perfect for adding an eerie glow to evening garden strolls.

Of course, Stranger Things fans don’t have to redesign their entire gardens to get that Upside Down homage in place; even a few considered containers or low-maintenance patio plants should do the trick. Just take care to pair large, bold leaves with delicate, dark flowers for a surreal effect, and don’t forget colour contrast. Even a few pops of bright foliage or flowers will make the black tones even more striking.

Honestly, that's all you need to do for your garden to feel like it's been lifted straight out of Hawkins in the best possible way. Unless, you know, you fancy popping on your favourite 80s album, slipping into something more retro, and maybe even grabbing a bottle, Karen Wheeler-style.

We promise: you and your friends won’t need to fight off Vecna to appreciate the drama; it’s all in the plants!