What Flowers to Plant in September

As the days gradually grow shorter and the air begins to cool, September ushers in a new season of possibilities for your garden. It’s a wonderful time to plant flowers that will thrive in the cooler months, adding color and charm to your outdoor space right through autumn and even into winter. Whether you’re hoping to brighten up your backyard with vibrant hues or create a serene, soothing garden retreat, there are plenty of flowers you can plant in September to make your garden truly shine.

Although the weather can vary significantly depending on your location, September is an ideal time to prepare your garden for fall. Even in areas where the first frost may come early, these flowers are adaptable and ready to thrive as temperatures drop. Here’s a list of what flowers to plant in September, ensuring a garden that’s full of life and color all season long.

1. Mums (Chrysanthemums)

Chrysanthemums, or “mums,” are practically synonymous with fall. These hardy flowers are known for their rich colors, from deep reds and oranges to golden yellows and purples, making them a must-have for your autumn garden. September is the ideal month to plant them, as they need some time to establish their roots before the frost sets in.

Mums are perfect for adding a bold pop of color to your garden and are incredibly easy to care for. They thrive in well-drained soil and full sun, so be sure to choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day. Plant them early enough in September to allow at least six weeks before the first frost to ensure a beautiful bloom.

Tip: Mums are great for pots, hanging baskets, or as border plants in garden beds. And with their vibrant blooms, they’re sure to become the centerpiece of your fall garden.

Read more: 10 Fascinating Chrysanthemum Facts You Didn’t Know: Discover the King of Fall Gardens

2. Pansies

When it comes to cheerful flowers, pansies are hard to beat. Their wide array of colors, including purple, yellow, white, and red, will brighten up any garden, especially during the cooler months. Pansies love the chill of fall and will thrive well into the winter, especially if planted in mid-September.

For the best results, plant pansies in a spot with partial shade. This will protect them from the harsh afternoon sun, allowing them to retain their vibrant colors. Not only do they bring beauty, but they’re also incredibly versatile—use them in containers, window boxes, or as ground cover.

Tip: Don’t forget to water them regularly to keep them lush and happy. Pansies are known for being resilient, so a little care goes a long way in ensuring they bloom all season long.

3. Snapdragons

Snapdragons, with their tall spires of colorful flowers, are a striking addition to any garden. They’re especially suited for September planting because they thrive in cooler temperatures. While snapdragons can be a bit slow to grow from seed, they reward you with beautiful, spike-like flowers that can brighten up your garden in late fall.

If you live in an area where the frost comes early, it’s a good idea to plant nursery-grown seedlings to give them a head start. Snapdragons come in an array of colors, including red, pink, yellow, and white, and they’re excellent for attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Tip: Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. Snapdragons are excellent for adding vertical interest to flower beds or containers.

4. Asters

Asters are another fantastic fall flower to plant in September. Known for their daisy-like blooms, asters come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white. They’re perfect for bringing color to your garden as the days start to shorten. Asters bloom in late fall, and their flowers are an important food source for bees and butterflies, making them not only beautiful but beneficial for your garden’s ecosystem.

Asters are hardy flowers, thriving in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-8. They need well-drained soil and full sun to grow their best. Plant them early in September to allow them time to establish strong roots before the cooler weather sets in.

Tip: Try mixing asters with other fall-blooming plants like mums and sedums for a vibrant, mixed display of color that lasts through the fall.

5. Calendula

Calendulas, also known as pot marigolds, are known for their bright, cheerful blooms in shades of orange and yellow. These flowers are incredibly hardy, making them perfect for September planting. Not only do they provide a splash of color, but they’re also edible and can be used in cooking, making them a practical addition to your garden.

Calendulas grow well in both full sun and partial shade, and they thrive in well-drained soil. They’re perfect for growing in containers, hanging baskets, or even as border plants in your garden. Plus, they bloom throughout the fall, attracting pollinators and adding a sweet fragrance to your garden.

Tip: Calendulas are great companion plants because they can help deter pests like aphids and whiteflies from attacking other plants in your garden.

6. Violas

Their larger cousins, pansies, often overshadow violas, but they’re just as charming! These petite flowers come in a range of beautiful colors and are perfect for adding color to the cooler months. They’re especially great for filling in gaps in your garden beds, hanging baskets, or containers.

Violas love the cooler temperatures of fall and will thrive in partially shaded areas. Their dainty flowers are perfect for adding delicate beauty to your garden, and like pansies, they’ll continue to bloom well into the winter in milder climates.

Tip: Violas are excellent for planting in mass for a vibrant display, or you can mix them with other cool-weather flowers like pansies and snapdragons.

7. Daffodils

While daffodils are typically thought of as a spring flower, planting them in September ensures they’ll have enough time to establish their roots before the first frost. These cheerful, yellow flowers are a symbol of spring, but by planting them in fall, you’ll get to enjoy their bright blooms as soon as the weather warms up next year.

Daffodils need well-drained soil and a spot that gets plenty of sunlight. Plant them in September to give them a head start before the colder months. They’re perfect for naturalizing in your garden, so once planted, they’ll come back year after year.

Tip: After planting daffodil bulbs, water them well and mulch them to protect the roots from extreme cold. This will help ensure a vibrant display of blooms next spring.

8. Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is a low-growing flower that produces clusters of tiny, fragrant blooms in shades of white, pink, or purple. These flowers are perfect for planting in September as they’re able to tolerate the cooler fall weather. Sweet alyssum is ideal for filling in spaces between larger plants or for edging garden beds and containers.

With their pleasant fragrance, sweet alyssum adds a soothing scent to your garden, making it a great flower to plant near pathways, patios, or windows. It also attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which will help pollinate other plants in your garden.

Tip: Sweet alyssum thrives in well-drained soil and partial sun to full sun. Be sure to deadhead spent flowers to keep the blooms coming.

9. Ornamental Kale and Cabbage

Though not a flower in the traditional sense, ornamental kale and cabbage can bring rich color and texture to your fall garden. These leafy plants come in a variety of colors, including purple, pink, and white, and their rosettes create a striking contrast against other flowers. They’re perfect for adding unique beauty to your garden beds or as part of a container display.

Ornamental kale and cabbage are cold-hardy, making them perfect for planting in September. As temperatures drop, their colors become more vibrant, creating an eye-catching display that will last well into winter.

Tip: Mix ornamental kale and cabbage with other cool-weather flowers to create a textured, multi-layered garden that will keep looking great as the season progresses.

10. Foxglove

Foxgloves are majestic flowers known for their tall, spiky blooms that can add drama and elegance to any garden. These flowers come in shades of purple, pink, and white and are perfect for planting in September, especially in regions with mild fall temperatures. Foxgloves are biennials, which means they will bloom in their second year, but getting them started in September ensures you’ll have a stunning display the following year.

Foxgloves prefer well-drained soil and partial to full sun. Be sure to plant them early enough to allow them to establish their roots before the frost.

Tip: Foxgloves are also great for attracting pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, making them a wonderful addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.

You may like: 7 Surprising Foxglove Facts You Won’t Believe!

September is a fantastic time to plant a wide variety of flowers that will provide you with a colorful and vibrant garden through fall and beyond. Whether you’re planting for a pop of color, fragrance, or pollinator-friendly blooms, these flowers will thrive in the cooler weather and give you a garden that’s full of life. Happy planting, and enjoy the beauty of your fall garden!