10 Plants to Bring a Touch Of Halloween to Your Autumn Displays

Let’s face it, the UK is crazy for Halloween! While here has always been some element of celebrating Halloween here, it wasn’t on the same scale as other countries like the United States, where Halloween is a popular holiday. But in the last 10 years, Halloween-related spending has quadrupled in the UK, showing that more and more people are embracing the festivities.

And while the outfits are getting more creative, and the decorations bigger and bolder, there’s another area where people are really getting into the spirit of Halloween – autumn flower displays. From the scary to the seasonal, there are different ways to bring a touch of Halloween to your autumn displays. Incorporating autumn leaves into your seasonal decoration and crafting ideas can create a cosy and aesthetic ambiance. Use autumn leaves as decorative elements in shop displays, window stickers, and home décor projects to enhance the fall atmosphere.

From spooky ghost plants to brain-like cacti, there are lots of plants that fit the macabre theme of Halloween. We’ve rounded up ten of the best plants to inspire your Halloween and autumnal displays.

Black Viola

Viola are a popular choice for winter hanging baskets. The most common colour choices are yellow and purple, but did you know they also come in black?

The black viola has velvety flowers which can be used to create a bold and dramatic display throughout the whole of autumn and winter. The Chinese lantern plant, with its bright orange husks and small berries, adds a striking contrast to any autumn arrangement.

Chinese lantern

During the summer the Chinese Lantern plant has white flowers. However, it comes to life in the autumn when the small white flowers turn into large orange flowers that feel and look like paper lanterns.

Inside the lantern shaped flower is a berry, and if you leave the flowers out long enough, the paper-like skeleton of the lantern flowers look particularly ghostly.

Dead Man’s Fingers 

Officially known as Decaisnea but commonly known as Dead Man’s Fingers. This hardy shrub produces drooping flowers that look like fingers.

However, despite their name, the fruit of the plant is known for its sweet taste. With some people comparing it to cucumber or melon.

Venus Flytrap

Little Shop of Horrors has made carnivorous plants a Halloween staple. They’re also a great talking point, as people of all ages will be fascinated to see them eat housefly’s and gnats.

This fast-moving plant has tiny hairs on its inner surface that can detect insects, which the plant then digests with enzymes and specialist glands. Truly petrifying.

Brain Flower

Cockscomb plants have bold and bright flowers that can add a burst of colour to any garden. But this pretty flower is also known as the Brain Flower because it really does resemble a human brain.

You can choose from red, orange, or yellow flowers to create a spooky display with these flowers. They are known for being easy to grow from seed, so you could even grow your own ready for next year’s Halloween.

Marigolds

Marigolds are not a particularly scary-looking plant, but their bold orange flowers will add a bit of autumn charm to your Halloween display.

You could even use marigold flowers to create a pumpkin inspired Halloween crown to complement your costume.

Brain Cactus

The name says it all. This gruesome looking cactus twists around itself as it grows, creating a shape that looks just like a human brain.

This plant is part of the Mammillaria elongate family of cactus. Cactus in this family typically grow straight, but damage to the plant when it’s young is what causes the brain cactus to grow into its unusual shape.

 

Red Secret

Alocasia Red Secret is a rare houseplant with dark metallic leaves and translucent stems.
They are native to tropical forests, where they adapted to reflect light between their own leaves.

Their leaves come in deep red and green colours, however in some lights the leaves can look black. Despite their spooky look, this houseplant has good air purifying qualities so are a perfect addition to any household.

Purple Oxalis

Purple oxalis have moody-coloured leaves that resemble a shamrock. Its purple leaves have undertones of black, providing a great way to bulk-out Halloween floral displays.

Surprisingly, the leaves of this plant are edible in small amounts, so you could even sprinkle a few onto a cake for your Halloween party. This plant is an easy-to-look-after perennial that grows well in bright sunlight.

Corpse Flower

This isn’t a plant you could actually incorporate into your Halloween display. But it might just be the ultimate Halloween flower.

Officially known as the Titian Arum, this plant is known for smelling of rotting flesh when its flowering. They only flower every 4-10 years, with flowers lasting just one or two days. This impressive plant can even grow to over 10ft tall.

Sadly, the Corpse Flower is endangered. But you can catch a glimpse of this awe-inducing plant at specialist botanical gardens, including Kew Gardens and The Eden Project.

 

Spooky autumn displays - the perfect way to get into the spirit

Whether you love Halloween, your family loves it, or you simply want to get into the spirit, then adding some spooky touches to your autumn shop window display can make a big difference. Not only will it add a little interest to your home, but it’s a good way to break away from the brighter florals of summer. Enhancing your autumn window display with themed decorations can attract customers and create a festive atmosphere. And there are different ways you can do this, including:

Engage in craft activities and workshops to create unique decorations. These creative projects can be done in-store or online, offering diverse ideas and step-by-step guides to help you craft your own spooky decor.

Set up your fall decorations early to maximise customer engagement. Showcasing your fall collections as soon as possible allows customers to enjoy the seasonal offerings for a longer period.

Look for inspiration from various creative ideas for autumn displays. Collect examples and suggestions to enhance your own seasonal decor, fostering a community of sharing and celebrating autumn-themed creativity.

Incorporate rich colours into your autumnal decor projects. Vibrant hues can enhance the visual appeal of items such as wreaths and garlands, adding warmth and elevating the overall aesthetic of your home during the cosy autumn season.

Enhance your shop window with seasonal decorations. Use various products and thematic designs to attract customers and provide ideas for effective color schemes and decoration items.

Ensure you have your autumn stock ready early. Displaying fall collections promptly allows customers to enjoy the seasonal offerings for a longer period.

Host workshops in your store to engage customers. These can be both in-store and online, providing ideas to enhance product visibility and aesthetic appeal during the autumn season.

Experiment with different styles to enhance your autumn-themed displays. Reference specific examples of stylish items and arrangements to appeal to consumers looking for chic and contemporary decor elements during the fall season.

Use wreaths as a key element in your autumn home decor. Their versatility and aesthetic appeal can create a welcoming environment for guests, incorporating seasonal colors and charming motifs.

Subtle bouquet displays

For a subtle yet elegant touch, arrange autumnal blooms in a rustic vase. You can use the flowers above, or you could include other seasonal bloom like chrysanthemums and dark-hued dahlias. Place it on your dining table or mantelpiece to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. You could even add some cobwebs for an additional themed touches to your autumn display.

Spooky autumn window display treatments

Enhance your autumn window display with spooky yet beautiful window treatments. Drape garlands of ivy interspersed with orange and black flowers across your windowsills, creating a hauntingly lovely look from both inside and outside. Turn down the lights and light some candles to help set the mood.

Festive door frame decorations

Decorate your door frame with a festive floral arch. Use a mix of pumpkins, gourds, and seasonal flowers to greet trick-or-treaters with a welcoming yet eerie vibe that sets the tone for your Halloween celebrations.

Halloween-themed bouquets

Do you know someone who loves Halloween? Make their day by sending them a Halloween-themed bouquet. Combine deep purple calla lilies, orange roses, and black feathers to create an arrangement that adds a touch of seasonal spirit to their home.

There are some incredible ways to get creative with Halloween home décor. Take a look at some Halloween flower arrangements that add an eery touch, while still being beautiful.

Seasonal displays from phs Greenleaf

From office plants to bespoke living walls, phs Greenleaf can work with your business to ensure your premises always have a welcoming and inviting seasonal floral display. Enhance the visual appeal of your shop window with our autumn-themed decorations, perfect for attracting customers with vibrant colors and thematic designs.

phs Greenleaf are experts in the design and installation of plants and planting displays. Our expert team of horticulturalists will even undertake ongoing maintenance visits to ensure your plants always look their best.

Contact phs Greenleaf today and let us help you create some spooktacular autumn displays this Halloween.

 

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