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There’s something bittersweet about the advent of fall. It’s not just the chill in the air or the dimming of the sun for me, but about knowing that there are many months ahead in which I will miss gardening so much. My garden is not only my job (I’m a garden writer), but also my passion. My biggest hobby. My therapy. And perhaps my escape from the constant whirlwind that is my brain.
However, even for a summer lover such as myself, it’s very hard not to fall in love with autumn. There’s something about the light shifting and the vibrant colors of summer turning into warm cozy hues.
The bright pink of the hydrangea turning rusty yellow.
The smoke tree (Cotinus) deep into its burgundy transformation.
Carpets of glossy horse chestnuts.
Dry seed heads resembling swaying little lighthouses watching over the garden.
On a quest to bring the coziness of fall indoors with some nature-inspired decor, I’ve decided to give my houseplants a simple makeover. So I’m relocating some of my indoor plants to fall-themed pots and containers.
I wanted something inside my home that would mirror the back garden outside my window. Something that would still radiate warmth and glow even in late fall, when gray becomes the dominant color.
Here’s a look at what I found from small businesses, creators and talented artists, just in case you’re also looking for a bit of cozy fall decor for your houseplant family. All the links will open on Etsy, which is my most reliable source of inspiration for all things artsy and handmade.
1. Cute and quirky ceramic mushroom planter
Mushrooms are one of the things my mind associates with the arrival of fall. Just a stroll in the woods isn’t nearly enough to get my fix, but I would never dare bring any home. I don’t know much about them, so I certainly don’t want to risk it.
But you know what else is cute and no risk at all? This mushroom tripod planter that’s handmade by Estelle of Alpine Reflection. The planter comes with a pre-drilled drainage hole, so the houseplant can go straight into it. It ships from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Estelle also has a few other mushroom-themed planters in her store, including a very realistic-looking oyster mushroom one.
2. Earthy-tone planter adorned with mushrooms
Ok, so my thinking was ‘let’s get the mushrooms out of the way first’, but that’s obviously not going to happen since I keep finding adorable mushroom-themed houseplant decor. Hmm, maybe that should have been the title of this article.
I’ve recommended Brumley & Bloom before and I’ve been following them on social media for a while. Headed by Rachel Brumley, the greenhouse and boutique floral design studio specializes in event floral design and wedding decor. But they’re also purveyors of gorgeous houseplants and planters.
If you’re in Michigan, you can pay them a visit in their brick-and-mortar plant stores.The rest of us will just have to do our shopping online.
For a touch of woodland wonderland, this planter, adorned with 3D mushroom detailing, is perfect. It comes in neutral earthy tones that match my end-of-fall mood perfectly. And it’s available in various sizes.
If you really really like the aesthetic (raises hand!), check out the matching coffee mug for sale in their online shop.
3. Autumn gold speckled planter
As the sun begins to set a little earlier each day in the fall, I’m wondering how to bring more sunshine into my home. It’s the glow I’m after, not just the light. I’m craving the warmth as the days turn shorter and gloomier.
The creamy shades of delightful yellow of this planter remind me not just of sunshine but of vanilla ice cream dripping with caramel drizzle. Ah, summer!
I’m intrigued by the method used by JoAnne, the artist and founder of The750Home. She reuses glass jars and bottles, cuts them in half and smooths out the sharp edges. Then she paints each piece by hand and covers it in protective resin. Each planter in the shop is a unique piece, and I think that’s beautiful.
4. Honeycomb and bees houseplant pot
Every single perennial I plant in my garden goes in the ground to feed pollinators. Sure, it’s to feed my eyes too, when they’re starved for color at the end of a long winter. But it’s mostly for all manner of buzzing friends that grace my garden with their presence all summer long.
I’m already starting to notice their hum disappear in October. I would keep a pet bee if I could, but I don’t think the cats would like this particular flight of fancy of mine.
Instead, I have my eye on this honeycomb ceramic planter created by hand by Erin Allice of Green Faerie Designs. Isn’t the texture in the glaze amazing? It looks like it’s dripping with honey and sunshine. And I’m just swooning over the little bees!
Here’s what Erin says about her technique: “Where the glaze pools it turns a darker Amber color with faint crystals forming for a crystallized honey look.”
Just charming!
5. Golden mushrooms on a dark sky background
Sticking with the autumnal golden theme, have a look at these charming planters made by Linda of Linda Makess (no typo there).
It takes the gold sparkle of the previous two planters on the list and superimposes it on a dark background in a charming mushroom family pattern.
Linda also makes so many other styles of pots and planters in her Brooklyn-based studio. Between terrazzo-style containers, super cute propagation stands and body-shaped airplant holders, I had a hard time picking just one item to feature.
6. Geometric design planter in autumnal muted hues
If you want something a bit more modern-looking – and a bit less nature-inspired – this geometric planter should do the trick. It’s made by Emily Morton of Sanctuary Ceramics, a stoneware pottery studio located in the Mojave Desert of California near Joshua Tree.
Emily makes unique homeware pieces full of color and patterns. I love how she describes the process of making the planters: “The interior is left unglazed and on the outside hand carved patterns are inlaid with a charcoal matte glaze and shapes are glazed with mustard yellow and sage green. Some of the raw clay is left exposed to highlight the beauty of the clay and create a variety of texture between glazed and unglazed surfaces.”
And because her pieces are inspired by the scenery around her studio in the desert, they come in the soothing hues of autumn: dusty russets, speckled reds, muted greens.
Emily’s art can serve as background accessories that brighten up even the Monday-est of Zoom calls.
7. Moody fall sky colors and organic lines
I found another gorgeous ceramic planter thrown with speckled stoneware clay in the store of Sue Oley of Soley Ceramics. This studio is based in Savannah, Georgia and Sue’s pieces are made to order. There’s something quite special about knowing that you’re having something made especially for you by the artisan herself, isn’t it?
The gentle curves make me think of a belt of woodland at the end of the horizon.
Sue’s planters come with a pre-drilled drainage hole and are fully glazed with a white gloss. You can find so many other stunning creations in her shop, including a seafoam-green orchid pot that almost made it to this list.
I added it to my collection of fall plant pots and planters because I definitely have my eye on it for my next purchase. [There are two pages in this collection, so click through to see all the autumn planters I’ve curated so far.]
8. Cottagecore inspired birds and trees planter
I could not wrap up this list of houseplant pots for fall without including at least one decoupage planter. I like all things crafty, so I’ve tried my hand at decoupage a few times, but I realized that I have neither the patience nor the skills to get it right. I’d rather leave it to the really talented people and I’ll just source my prettiness from them.
Posh Pots Parlor, a maker based in York, Pennsylvania, has almost eight thousand! sales on Etsy as I’m writing this, so I’m clearly not the only one who likes decoupage, but leaves it to the pros to do it right.
Again, it was tricky to choose just one design, but I finally made up my mind when I spotted this clay pot adorned with birds perched on rusty autumn branches.
I think I’ll have to stop here because I could keep going for a long time writing about all the gorgeous fall-inspired pots for houseplants. At this rate, autumn might be over by the time I’m done. But do have a look at my collection for a more updated list if any of the items on the list are sold out by the time you get to read this.
And for a wider selection for fall decor, including rustic dinnerware, seasonal wreaths and cozy mugs, the style editors at Etsy have put together an awesome collection. They have impeccable taste!
Please note that all the images in this article come from the online shops that sell the planters.
