26 Gorgeous Flowers to Plant In October

October might feel like the end of gardening season, but it’s actually the perfect time to add fresh color. These 26 flowers love cool weather and will keep your garden looking alive well past summer.

Flowers To Plant In October

October brings cooling temperatures and shorter days, setting the stage for planting many hardy annuals and spring-flowering bulbs. The flowers in this section thrive when planted during this transitional month and will provide color in fall or early spring.

Pansies

You get reliable blooms from pansies throughout mild winters and a burst of color into spring. These flowers withstand light frost and even snow in many climates. Their faces appear in many shades, from deep purples to yellows and whites.

Best results come from spacing pansies 6 to 8 inches apart. Use well-drained soil with organic matter for vigorous growth. They need at least half a day of sunlight, though they handle partial shade.

Keep soil moist but not soggy. Mulch around the roots to maintain even moisture and protect them from sudden cold snaps. Fertilize lightly for continuous flowering.

Violas

Perfect for edging and containers, these tiny blooms also mingle beautifully with spring bulbs. Their flowers are smaller than pansies, but you get more blooms per plant. Their color range includes lavender, yellow, blue, and some bi-colors.

Full sun to part shade suits violas in October plantings. Rich, moist soil supports strong roots and abundant flowers. Water regularly, especially if autumn stays dry.

Violas can self-sow, providing new plants the next spring. Deadheading promotes ongoing blooms. Their modest size makes them ideal where you need quick, cheerful color.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons prefer the cool air of fall planting to establish healthy roots. Several heights and color options—from dwarf to tall and pastel to vivid—give you flexibility for borders or cut flowers.

Transplant sturdy young plants in October for blooms as soon as winter wanes. These flowers need fertile, well-drained soil. Full sun grows the strongest stems, but light shade is fine in warm areas.

Water at the base to avoid fungal problems. When blooming, snapdragons attract pollinators like bees. Pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth.

Calendula (Pot Marigold)

Golden and orange petals light up the garden when this hardy flower takes center stage in fall. Calendula thrives in cool weather, bouncing back quickly after light frosts. Planting calendula in October produces flowers until heavy freezes set in.

Sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings in a sunny spot with average garden soil. These flowers tolerate poor soil and require little maintenance. Remove faded blooms for more flowering.

You may find calendula petals in some herbal remedies and recipes. Insects generally avoid this plant, so few pest issues arise. The bright color stands out through fall.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum offers low, mat-forming growth with delicate clusters of white, pink, or purple flowers. It delivers a light, honey-like scent along paths and garden edges.

Plant alyssum seeds or young plants in well-drained soil. Full sun encourages tight, flower-filled mats, while part shade is okay in warmer regions. These flowers prefer consistent moisture but recover well if conditions dry out.

Alyssum attracts beneficial insects, including predatory wasps and hoverflies. Trim back leggy growth for a denser shape and repeat blooms. You can use it in containers or as a groundcover.

Ornamental Kale

Ruffled foliage in shades of purple, pink, and cream makes this kale a cold-weather showstopper. While grown for foliage, it adds dramatic color throughout fall and into winter.

Set young ornamental kale in a well-prepared bed after daytime temperatures cool. Locate where it will receive full sun for best color. This plant prefers fertile, moist, and well-drained soil.

Cold weather brings deeper shades to the foliage. Regular watering and occasional feeding sustain growth. Kale is rarely bothered by pests in cool months.

Ornamental Cabbage

The rosette pattern and painted leaves make ornamental cabbage look like living art as temperatures dip.

Plant them in sunny beds with good drainage to keep roots from rotting, and space about a foot apart for full color development. Modest watering and a sheltered location help preserve those lush leaves through wind and rain.

Dusty Miller

Sometimes it’s not flowers but foliage that makes a window box glow, and dusty miller does exactly that with its silver, finely cut leaves. It thrives in loose, fertile soil with sun or partial shade and needs only occasional watering once established. Snip off any flower stalks to keep the plant dense and silvery.

Stock (Matthiola)

Stock presents spikes of fragrant blooms in lavender, white, pink, or red. Cooler October weather supports root development and strong stems before the first flowers open in late winter or early spring.

Choose a spot with sun and protection from wind. Prepare well-drained, organic-rich soil. Stock appreciates consistent moisture, but wet feet cause trouble.

These plants produce the best flowers when spaced apart to ensure air movement. Fragrance peaks at dusk and dawn, drawing you outdoors. Cut the stems for fragrant indoor bouquets.

Coneflowers (Echinacea)

Coneflowers such as Echinacea purpurea can be set out as young plants in mild autumns. These hardy perennials anchor borders and return year after year.

Full sun and average soil fit their needs best. Coneflowers tolerate drought once established. Water in the first weeks to help roots knit into the ground.

Strong stems hold up well to wind and bad weather. Seed heads feed birds over winter if left standing. Flowering won’t occur until the following season, but fall planting gives them a head start.

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)

Golden petals with dark centers help black-eyed Susans carry summer color into the cooler months. Plants develop strong roots through winter and bloom by summer.

Situate in full sun for the richest yellow petals and best flower count. Soils can be average but should drain well. Space black-eyed Susans to encourage airflow and reduce chances of mildew.

Minimal care keeps them thriving. Water until established, then only during prolonged dry spells. Bloom stalks attract pollinators, and seeds attract birds.

Columbine (Aquilegia)

Delicate, nodding flowers appear earlier in spring when columbine plants are tucked in during fall. October plantings allow roots to settle before cold weather.

This flower prefers dappled light or filtered sun, especially in warmer climates. Moist, well-drained soils work best. Once established, columbines need little attention apart from mulching and occasional water.

Flowers come in blues, reds, pinks, and bi-color varieties. Foliage has a soft texture and unique shape. These plants may self-seed for new growth each year.

Hellebores (Lenten Rose)

You plant hellebores for late winter and early spring flowers, even during frost. Thick, evergreen foliage adds interest all year.

Partial shade provides relief from harsh sun. Loose, humus-rich, well-drained soil supports their growth. In October, water thoroughly after planting to settle roots.

Hellebores are deer- and pest-resistant. They rarely need division or extra attention. Blooms arch down to shelter pollen inside from rain or snow.

Lupines

Lupines produce tall, upright spikes of flowers in blue, purple, pink, and cream. Sowing or planting in October lets roots develop through winter.

Choose an open, sunny site. Well-drained, mildly acid soil enhances performance. Sandy or gritty soils are especially suitable.

Don’t disturb roots once established, as transplant shock can harm the plant. Water during dry autumns, but allow soil to dry a bit between. Lupines fix nitrogen, enriching soil for neighboring plants.

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Red-and-gold daisy-like blooms flourish after October planting gives blanket flowers time to root deeply. Early planting in October helps roots form before cold sets in.

These flowers thrive in poor, sandy soils with excellent drainage. Full sun brings out the strongest colors and longest bloom time. Blanket flower resists drought and tolerates heat, but can handle some cold.

Prune faded flowers for continued blooms. Water only as needed to avoid rot. Insects and diseases seldom cause problems for this easy-care perennial.

Shasta Daisy

Shasta daisies deliver crisp white petals and yellow centers. Transplant divisions or young plants in October for strong roots and larger plants next year.

They grow best with plenty of direct sun and soil that drains freely. Space several inches apart for airflow and prevent fungal leaf issues. Water regularly until established.

After frost, foliage dies back but roots remain healthy. Minimal fertilizer supports growth. Shasta daisies work well at the back of borders or as cut flowers.

Salvia

Salvia encompasses many species, both annual and perennial, prized for spikes of blue, purple, or red blooms. Plant in October for robust roots and reliable team in spring.

Warm, well-drained beds give you the best results. Full sun makes foliage compact and flowers vivid. Salvias tolerate poor conditions but waterlogged soils can harm them.

The aromatic leaves repel some garden pests. Deadheading and pruning support repeat blooming. Hummingbirds and bees visit when flowers open.

Coreopsis

Planting coreopsis in autumn creates bushy clumps ready to light up borders with gold or red blooms in spring. Transplant or start from seed in October to gain a head start for spring.

These perennials do best in full sun and gritty, poor soils. Water newly-set plants a few weeks until root systems expand. Coreopsis endures dry spells and heat, requiring little attention.

Plants grow bushy and compact. Use coreopsis in wildflower meadows, borders, or cottage gardens. Remove spent blooms to prolong the show.

Tulips

Bulbs of tulips tucked into cool October soil erupt with tall, colorful flowers when spring arrives. Chilling in the fridge for 6 to 8 weeks boosts blooms in warm climates.

Set bulbs 6 inches deep in well-drained, fertile soil. Sun exposure produces the tallest, brightest flowers each spring. Prevent rot by avoiding soggy spots.

After planting, water thoroughly. Use a balanced custom fertilizer for best results. In spring, remove faded flowers but let leaves die back naturally for bulb health.

Daffodils (Narcissus)

Daffodil bulbs should go into the soil in October while still cool and workable. These classic, trumpet-shaped flowers bloom brightly in early spring, returning yearly.

Choose a spot with sun or partial shade. Soil must drain well or bulbs will rot. Space bulbs about 6 inches apart, 6 inches deep.

Water well at planting, then only during dry autumns. Daffodils need little care once established. They resist rodents and deer better than tulips.

Hyacinths

Cool soil now means fragrant, upright spikes from hyacinths once the seasons change. Plant in October, using gloves if possible since the bulbs may irritate skin.

Rich, loose soil promotes full, upright flower clusters. Place hyacinths in groups for concentrated fragrance and color. They prefer sun or light afternoon shade.

Set bulbs 4 inches deep, pointy end up. Water right after planting and mulch lightly in cooler regions. Hyacinths need cold to bloom, so provide chilling if winters are mild.

Crocus

These bulbs are among the first to hint at spring, showing up as winter finally lets go. October’s the sweet spot for planting if you’re after those early blooms.

They’re not fussy, but soggy soil is a no-go—think sandy, well-drained ground to keep rot at bay. Crocus shrugs off a bit of frost. Full sun’s ideal, though honestly, a little shade won’t ruin the show.

Bury bulbs around 3–4 inches deep and don’t crowd them. Give ’em a good soak when you plant, then leave them mostly alone until those green shoots pop up. Over time, they’ll quietly multiply, taking over a patch of lawn or border if you let them.

Alliums

With their tall, round heads packed with tiny purple flowers, alliums are real attention-seekers. Planting in October helps them settle in before winter hits.

Find a sunny, sheltered spot with soil that drains well. Depth matters—6 to 8 inches, depending on the bulb’s size. Give them room so their stems don’t get crowded or floppy.

Honestly, these don’t ask for much. Water at planting, maybe again if it’s bone dry, and that’s about it. Deer and rodents usually pass them by. Oh, and those dramatic flower heads? They last ages in a vase.

Grape Hyacinths (Muscari)

Those little blue spikes—looking almost like tiny bunches of grapes—pop up in mid to late spring. October’s a good time to tuck the bulbs in, just a few inches apart.

They’re happiest where water drains quickly. Three inches deep is enough for sturdy growth. Either sun or light shade works, which is handy if your garden’s a bit unpredictable.

Once they get going, they’ll spread fast, filling in gaps among taller plants. They’re low-maintenance, only needing a bit of water if autumn’s dry. Honestly, they’re great for weaving through borders or popping up under shrubs.

Milkweed (Asclepias)

It’s hard not to root for milkweed, especially with its reputation for drawing in monarch butterflies. Planting seeds or young plants in fall gives them a leg up for sinking those deep, tough roots.

Give them as much sun as you can—everything just looks better and grows stronger. They’ll handle poor, dry soil, but if you want lush growth, richer ground helps. Water until they’re settled, then let them fend for themselves.

Try not to mess with the roots once they’re in. After that, they’re pretty self-sufficient, rewarding you with clusters of sweet-smelling flowers every summer.

Anemones (Japanese Anemone or Fall-Blooming Varieties)

Getting Japanese anemones or those fall-blooming types in the ground by October? That usually means a bunch of bright, poppy-like flowers popping up next year. They seem to thrive best in moist, humus-rich soil—don’t skip the compost if you can help it.

Honestly, they look happiest tucked into partial shade, especially if you’re somewhere that summer really cranks up the heat. Give them a bit of elbow room so they aren’t fighting with neighbors. You’ll want to keep the water coming until they’re settled in.

There’s something about their roots—they really hold tight in cool, shaded spots. Come autumn, those slender stems and swaying blooms bring a little drama to the garden. Once they get going, you’ll barely have to fuss with them year after year.