As the weather cools and the colors around us shift to warm oranges, yellows, and deep reds, there’s no better time to bring the season’s beauty into your home decor—especially for Thanksgiving. Plants can add a natural and inviting warmth to your space, creating a cozy atmosphere that complements the holiday’s themes of gratitude and togetherness. Incorporating seasonal plants into your Thanksgiving décor is not only visually appealing but also brings a unique, organic feel to your home. Here’s a guide to some of the best fall plants you can use to enhance your Thanksgiving décor, along with creative ideas on how to display them.
1. Chrysanthemums: A Classic Fall Favorite
Chrysanthemums, or “mums,” are a quintessential fall flower that brings a burst of color to any room. With their wide variety of colors—think golden yellows, vibrant oranges, purples, and reds—they effortlessly blend into any Thanksgiving palette. Mums are also hardy and can thrive both indoors and outdoors, making them versatile additions to your decor.
Decorating Tips:
Centerpieces: Place a few small pots of mums along your dining table as a stunning yet simple centerpiece.
Pumpkin Planters: Carve out small pumpkins, add a little soil, and place individual mum plants inside for a rustic, seasonal look.
Entryway Accents: Arrange a few mums in larger pots by your front door to welcome guests with a splash of fall color.
2. Ornamental Kale and Cabbage: Unusual but Stunning
Ornamental kale and cabbage are cool-weather plants with leafy rosettes in green, purple, and white that add a sophisticated touch to any arrangement. They thrive in cooler temperatures, making them ideal for fall decorating and outdoor use.
Decorating Tips:
Table Runners: Line ornamental kale and cabbage down the center of your table for a unique, textured table runner.
Container Gardens: Combine these plants with other fall favorites in a rustic container or wooden crate for a fresh take on a traditional bouquet.
Accent Pieces: Use smaller varieties of ornamental kale and cabbage as accent pieces in your Thanksgiving floral arrangements, adding depth and intrigue.
3. Heirloom Pumpkins: Beyond the Traditional Orange
While pumpkins are synonymous with fall, heirloom pumpkins come in various colors like white, muted green, blush pink, and even gray, offering a fresh spin on classic pumpkin décor. They’re long-lasting, so you can enjoy them all season long without worry.
Decorating Tips:
Stacked Pumpkins: Create an elegant pumpkin stack on your porch or as a centerpiece with different sizes and colors.
Mixed Arrangement: Combine pumpkins of varying shades with mums and other fall foliage for a lush, visually appealing display.
Painted Pumpkins: If you’re feeling creative, try painting designs or words on heirloom pumpkins to add a personal touch.
4. Eucalyptus: Aromatic and Fresh
Known for its soothing fragrance and soft blue-green color, eucalyptus adds freshness to any fall décor. While it’s not traditionally thought of as a Thanksgiving plant, its versatility makes it an excellent filler for arrangements and decorations.
Decorating Tips:
Table Garland: Create a eucalyptus garland down the center of your Thanksgiving table and add small gourds, berries, and candles for added dimension.
Bouquet Filler: Eucalyptus works wonderfully as a filler in any fall bouquet, adding both texture and fragrance.
Hanging Décor: Make a eucalyptus wreath or hang sprigs around your home to fill the air with its refreshing scent.
5. Bittersweet Vine: Add a Pop of Color
Bittersweet vine is known for its bright orange berries, which provide an eye-catching contrast to the earthy tones of fall. Its unique, natural beauty makes it a fantastic addition to any Thanksgiving décor.
Decorating Tips:
Mantel Garland: Drape bittersweet vine across your mantel for a seasonal touch.
Candle Holders: Wrap pieces of the vine around candle holders to add a festive touch to your table setting.
Wreaths: Use the vine to create a colorful wreath that’s perfect for doors, windows, or as a table centerpiece.
6. Winterberry: Vibrant and Festive
Winterberry is a deciduous holly that loses its leaves in the fall, leaving behind vibrant red berries that last well into winter. Its striking color and durability make it an excellent addition to Thanksgiving décor and beyond.
Decorating Tips:
Centerpieces: Place sprigs of winterberry in clear vases for a simple yet bold centerpiece.
Miniature Arrangements: Use smaller branches in mini vases or as part of place settings for a unique touch.
Holiday Transition: Incorporate winterberry into your Thanksgiving décor and easily transition it into your winter and holiday decorations.
7. Dried Wheat: Classic and Simple
Dried wheat has a rustic charm that is ideal for fall and Thanksgiving themes. With its golden hue, it adds warmth and texture to your décor and is incredibly easy to style.
Decorating Tips:
Wheat Bundles: Tie small bundles of dried wheat with ribbon and place them on the table as centerpieces or along your mantel.
Wheat Wreaths: Create a wreath with dried wheat for a natural, farmhouse-inspired door decoration.
Place Setting Accents: Add a few stalks of wheat to each place setting, tied with a ribbon, to create a rustic feel at the dinner table.
8. Succulents: Low-Maintenance and Versatile
While not traditionally associated with Thanksgiving, succulents bring a fresh, modern twist to seasonal décor. Their wide range of colors and shapes make them a fun addition, and their low-maintenance nature means they’ll look beautiful long after Thanksgiving.
Decorating Tips:
Pumpkin Succulents: Glue small succulents onto the tops of pumpkins for a unique and long-lasting centerpiece.
Table Terrariums: Place mini succulents in glass terrariums and arrange them along your table.
Mini Favors: Offer small succulents as guest favors at the end of your Thanksgiving gathering.
9. Amaranthus: A Dramatic Touch
With its trailing blooms in shades of red, purple, and green, amaranthus adds drama and elegance to any fall arrangement. It’s often used in floral arrangements for its cascading effect, which works beautifully in Thanksgiving décor.
Decorating Tips:
Floral Centerpieces: Use amaranthus in your Thanksgiving floral arrangements for a cascading effect.
Hanging Decorations: Hang amaranthus along with eucalyptus for a rich, textural garland that adds depth to doorways or mantels.
Tall Vases: Place amaranthus in tall vases for a striking addition to your entryway or living room.
10. Rosemary: Fragrant and Functional
Rosemary’s fresh scent and evergreen appearance make it a lovely addition to Thanksgiving décor. It’s also an edible herb, which means it can double as both a decorative and functional element.
Decorating Tips:
Mini Rosemary Trees: Shape rosemary into small trees and place them around the house or on the dinner table for a festive touch.
Place Cards: Use small sprigs of rosemary tied to place cards for a personalized and fragrant addition to each setting.
Candle Rings: Create mini rosemary wreaths to place around candles for a fresh and aromatic centerpiece.
Bringing It All Together: Tips for Cohesive Thanksgiving Decor
With so many beautiful plants and creative ideas, it can be easy to get carried away. To ensure your Thanksgiving décor is cohesive and inviting, keep these tips in mind:
Choose a Color Scheme: Decide on a general color palette (like warm oranges, greens, and yellows) and select plants that complement it.
Mix Textures: Combine plants with different textures—such as soft eucalyptus, structured wheat, and leafy ornamental cabbage—to add visual interest.
Layer Heights: Use plants of varying heights to add dimension to your arrangements, creating a more dynamic and visually engaging space.
This Thanksgiving, let nature be your guide as you decorate your home. Incorporating these seasonal plants can transform your space into a warm, inviting environment that celebrates the beauty of fall. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or enjoying a quiet holiday, these plants will help set the perfect scene for gratitude and celebration.
Leave a comment