Fall porch decor is exploding on Pinterest right now, with "fall porch decor 2026" up thousands of percent in a month. Most of it starts with the planters by the front door.
Here's the version I'd do. Burgundy and bronze mums, together, in two big pots either side of the door. Not six small ones. It looks calmer and richer than the orange-and-yellow combination everyone's had for ten years, and two big pots make a stronger entrance than a row of little ones.
Why two big pots beat six small ones
Small pots scattered on steps look busy and dry out fast. Two large pots, at least 16 to 20 inches across, frame the door like columns. They hold more soil, which means more water and healthier plants. And they give you room to layer plants for a fuller look.
The burgundy and bronze pairing
Burgundy mums are deep red-purple. Bronze mums are warm copper-orange. Together they look like fall leaves: oak and maple. Neither is loud, so the combination looks sophisticated against almost any front door color.
- Black door: burgundy and bronze glow against it.
- White or cream door: rich and warm.
- Navy door: the bronze pops.
- Red door: swap bronze for cream mums instead.
How to plant each pot
A simple structure for a 20-inch pot:
- One large burgundy mum in the center-back.
- One bronze mum in front, slightly off-center.
- Trailing ivy or creeping Jenny tucked at the front edge, spilling over the rim.
You can plant straight into the pot, or drop the mums in their nursery pots into the planter and fill the gaps with soil or moss. The second way makes it easy to swap them for winter greenery later.
Pot choices
- Aged terracotta: warm and classic. Shown here.
- Black fiberglass urns: elegant and light to move.
- Cast stone: heavy and traditional.
- Galvanized metal: farmhouse feel.
Make sure there are drainage holes. Mums hate wet feet.
Keeping mums going until frost
Garden mums bought in bloom usually last four to six weeks. To get the most out of them:
- Buy them with plenty of buds still closed, not fully open.
- Water deeply when the top inch of soil is dry. Mums in pots dry out fast.
- Water at the base, not over the flowers.
- Deadhead faded blooms.
- Keep them out of harsh afternoon sun if possible.
A brass lantern and a doormat
A brass or black lantern on one side of the door, and a simple coir doormat, finish the entrance. Keep it that simple. The planters are the display.
Adding height behind the mums
Mums are mounded and low, so a pot of only mums can look a bit squat beside a tall door. Add height with:
- Ornamental grass like purple fountain grass or a dwarf miscanthus in the center back.
- A few birch or curly willow branches pushed into the soil behind the mums.
- Dried wheat or bunny tail grass tucked in for texture.
The goal is a planter roughly one-third the height of the door when you include the tallest element. That proportion looks right from the street.
If your porch gets full sun or full shade
Full sun: mums, ornamental grasses and ornamental kale all thrive. Water more often.
Part to full shade: mums will bloom less. Use heuchera in burgundy or caramel, ivy and ferns, and add a couple of white pumpkins for brightness.
After the mums fade
When the mums finish, usually in November, swap them for:
- Evergreen cuttings like cedar, pine and boxwood.
- Small evergreen shrubs in the pots.
- Birch branches and pinecones.
The pots stay; the contents change.
What it costs
- Two large pots: $60 to $300 depending on material.
- Four mums: $20 to $60.
- Ivy or creeping Jenny: $10 to $20.
- Potting soil: $15 to $30.
Mistakes to avoid
- Lots of small pots. Go big.
- Buying mums in full bloom. They'll fade in two weeks.
- No drainage.
- Letting pots dry out.
Front door fall planter FAQ
What do you put in front door planters in fall?
Mums, ornamental grasses, ornamental kale, heuchera and trailing ivy or creeping Jenny.
How big should front door planters be?
At least 16 to 20 inches across for a strong look and enough soil.
How long do mums last in pots?
About four to six weeks, longer if bought in bud and watered well.
What color mums go with a black front door?
Burgundy, bronze, cream and rust all look great against black.
