5 Plants You Should Never Plant in Fall (And What to Grow Instead)

Your gardening hobby does not have to go on hiatus during the fall months. However, while some plants lean into the chilly temperatures and grow beautifully this time of year, other plants struggle to thrive once the temperatures begin to drop. Knowing what plants will thrive and what ones will struggle is a good starting point when diving into planting. 

Here is what the experts say about what plants you should never try to grow in the fall, as well as some good alternatives for flowers that love the weather of the season.

Dahlias

Your dahlias will struggle if you try to plant them in the fall. These delicate perennials do the best in warm climates because they do not have the properties needed to withstand freezing temperatures. According to Bryan Wu, a gardening expert for Palmstreet, “If one of its tubers freezes, the water inside its cells expands and destroys the tissue, turning it into a mushy mess.”

Wu recommends swapping out dahlias for autumn daffodils. These flowers produce golden blooms, perfect for the fall season. “They mimic that cheerful pop of color without needing special care,” says Wu.

Impatiens

It is not worth your time to plant annuals that will just die at the first sign of frost. Impatiens are vulnerable to cold temperatures, meaning that they will die once the mercury dips into freezing territory.

Mike Annes, gardening expert at Darwin Perennials, suggests planting geraniums as an alternative to impatiens. Geraniums produce similar colorful blooms in a small growing space. However, unlike impatiens, geraniums do well in cooler temperatures and can even withstand light frost conditions. Annes says that planting them in the fall months will give gardeners a head start on their growth before the winter, while also encouraging them to bloom again during the spring and summer months.

Switchgrass

Switchgrass is an ornamental grass often found in warm climates. This means that it is inherently not a good choice for fall planting. Other warm-season grasses such as little bluestem and maiden grass carry the same risks of wilting in the cool conditions.

That does not mean that you are without choices if you want to plant grass in the fall. Good cool-weather grasses that typically thrive in this type of climate include feather reed grass and tufted hair grass. Both of these grasses present with a wispy texture that moves gracefully in the wind despite their hardiness.

Hibiscus

It probably goes without saying that a tropical plant such as hibiscus will not thrive as the temperatures drop dramatically in the fall. This type of plant needs warmth, humidity, and plenty of sunshine. According to Wu, “They are sensitive to the cold and will suffer or be killed by temperatures dropping below 50°F, or if a sudden frost occurs." You are setting up these flowers for failure if you plant them in the fall because their roots will not strengthen before the first cold snap.

Instead of hibiscus flowers, try planting chrysanthemums instead. These hardy flowers are able to adapt to the cool weather and can grow despite the shorter days.

Echinacea Hybrids

The hardy echinacea hybrid perennial may seem like a natural choice when summer fades into fall. However, Annes says that the newer hybrids do not perform as well in cooler climates. This is particularly true for newly planted echinacea hybrids. Rather than planting them in the fall, savvy gardeners will plant these hybrids in the summer to let them establish a robust root system before the harsh conditions of winter hit.

If you have your heart set on echinacea this fall, the non-hybrid versions will yield better results. Or consider the black-eyed Susans for a similar look. Black-eyed Susans have the same dark center but are typically a hardier plant. Be sure to plant these flowers ahead of the first freeze if you choose to go this route.

By making smart choices for your garden this fall, you will reap the benefits in the spring once the colorful blooms emerge.

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