Croton: Fall Foliage Without the Rake

If autumn decided to become a house plant, it might choose to be a Croton. 

Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum) are known for their wonderfully dramatic foliage. Depending on the variety, their glossy leaves can display combinations of green, golden yellow, orange, red, bronze and purple. The popular ‘Petra’ Croton, for example, features dark green leaves accented with yellow, pink and orangish-red markings.  Basically, a Croton looks like someone took the colors of an October afternoon and painted them directly onto its leaves. Place one in a beautiful terracotta, caramel, cream or dark-colored planter and you have an instant fall statement piece.

The only catch is Crotons like their light. Bright light helps them maintain their gorgeous coloration, while insufficient light can cause their foliage to become less vibrant. They also appreciate consistent moisture during their active growing period, but their soil shouldn’t remain soggy. Think of your Croton as the glamorous guest at the fall party. Give it the right seat near the window, keep it comfortable, and it will happily show off.

Clivia: A Little Burst of Orange Sunshine

If you want autumn color with flowers rather than foliage then say hello to Clivia. 

Clivia is beloved for its clusters of beautiful trumpet-shaped blooms, commonly appearing in gorgeous shades of orange. Against its deep green, strap-like leaves, those orange flowers create a combination that feels perfectly suited for fall decorating. Clivia offers something a little different from traditional autumn decor. Instead of rustic and earthy, it can feel elegant and sophisticated. Imagine a Clivia in a warm ceramic planter sitting on an entry table, credenza or office reception desk. The deep green foliage keeps the arrangement grounded while those bright orange blooms provide the seasonal pop. 

And when the flowers aren’t present, the foliage is attractive enough to allow Clivia to remain part of your plant collection throughout the year. That is one of our favorite things about decorating seasonally with house plants: they don’t have to disappear when the season ends. The pumpkin may eventually become pie, but your Clivia gets to stay. 

Purple Shamrock: Fall’s Moody Little Show-Off

Not all fall colors have to be orange and yellow. Deep purples, burgundies and wine tones are equally beautiful during autumn, and few houseplants embrace that palette quite like the purple shamrock, Oxalis triangularis. 

Its triangular, three-part leaves can range into deep maroon and purple shades, creating a rich contrast against the traditional oranges and golds of fall decor. Even better, this little plant has personality: its leaves close at night and reopen with the light. It’s almost as if the plant puts itself to bed. 

And then there are the flowers.  Purple shamrock produces delicate five-petaled flowers ranging from white to pale pink, creating a whimsical contrast against the dark foliage.  Place one beside a small pumpkin, brass candlestick or warm wood accent and suddenly you have a fall vignette that feels a little less pumpkin patch and a little more enchanted autumn garden. 

Tradescantia Zebrina: Bring on the Stripes

Fall is also the perfect time to embrace plants with deeper, moodier foliage. EnterTradescantia zebrina. 

Zebrina is a trailing plant with striking striped foliage. Its leaves feature silvery bands with green and purple coloration, while the undersides are a beautiful rich purple. Give the plant good light and its colors can become especially striking.  

While crotons are bold and upright, Zebrina brings movement. Its stems cascade beautifully from hanging baskets, shelves and tall planters, making it perfect for adding softness to spaces filled with the heavier textures we tend to use during fall. Picture it spilling over the edge of a bookshelf surrounded by warm wood, amber glass, candles and a cozy throw blanket. Instant autumn. 

Zebrina is also relatively easy to propagate from stem cuttings, which means one plant can eventually become several. We consider that the plant version of getting an extra slice of pie.  

Purple Oxalis: A Little Fall Magic

Purple Oxalis deserves a double take because there is something almost storybook-like about it. 

Its butterfly-shaped leaves seem to float above slender stems, while its dainty white or pale pink flowers rise above the dark foliage. The contrast between the nearly burgundy-purple leaves and delicate blossoms gives the plant a whimsical quality that works beautifully with autumn decor.  

Instead of thinking exclusively about traditional fall decorating, try creating a little indoor autumn garden. Pair purple Oxalis with a fiery croton. Add a Clivia for a burst of orange. Let Zebrina trail nearby. Then bring in a few natural elements: wood, woven baskets, or dried foliage. You could even add a pumpkin or two, because we’re not banning pumpkins. We’re simply asking them to share the spotlight.

Create a Fall Plant Palette Instead of Just Fall Decor

One of the easiest ways to decorate with plants seasonally is to stop thinking about individual plants and start thinking about a color palette. For fall, try combining oranges, burgundies, golds, deep purples, and forest greens to create dozens of possibilities. 

A Croton supplies orange, red and gold. Clivia contributes brilliant orange flowers and deep green foliage. Purple shamrock introduces burgundy and plum. Tradescantia zebrina adds purple, green and shimmering silver stripes. Purple Oxalis brings that final touch of whimsy with its delicate flowers and butterfly-like leaves. 

The result feels like autumn without requiring every surface of your home or office to be covered in seasonal decorations. And because these are living plants, your display continues changing and growing long after the last pumpkin spice latte of the season. 

Fall Is a Feeling

Fall decorating doesn’t have to follow a rulebook. The season is really about creating a feeling of warmth, richness, comfort and a connection to the changing natural world outside. And house plants can help bring that feeling indoors. 

At Houseplantsitter, we love looking beyond the obvious and finding ways for plants to become part of the personality of a home, office or commercial space. Sometimes that means choosing plants for their shape. Sometimes it’s about texture. And sometimes it’s simply choosing a plant because its leaves happen to look like October decided to show off. 

So this year, give the pumpkin patch a little competition. Bring home the fiery leaves of a Croton. Let a Clivia brighten the room with orange blooms. Add the rich purple tones of shamrock and Oxalis. Allow a Zebrina to cascade dramatically from a shelf. 

And if you still want a pumpkin sitting beside them? We won’t judge.

Related Posts

Workplace and Property Enhancement Through Living Greenery

Houseplantsitter’s Ultimate Fall Plant Care Guide

From Tea Leaves to Liberty Trees: The Secret Role of Plants in American Independence