Joanna Gaines Warns: Stop This Fall Decor Mistake
How to Decorate Your Porch for Fall Like Joanna and Chip Gaines (Without Any Pumpkins!)
The Problem: That Awkward Time Between Halloween and Thanksgiving
The "In-Between" Struggle
You know the feeling: Halloween is over, the pumpkins go in the trash (or compost!), and suddenly your front porch looks… sad. Bare. Empty. But it’s not quite time for Christmas decorations either. What do you do?
Joanna and Chip Gaines (the famous home renovation couple from Fixer Upper) have a genius solution for their Waco, Texas home: Skip the seasonal decorations entirely and use real, living plants instead.
Why Plants Work Better Than Pumpkins
| Traditional Fall Decor | The Gaines’ Plant Approach |
|---|---|
| Pumpkins rot after a few weeks | Plants look good for months |
| Halloween-specific (spooky!) | Works for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and beyond |
| Throw away after one use | Keep growing year after year |
| Buy new every single year | Investment that gets better with time |
The Secret Recipe: Layer Your Plants Like a Pro
Think of your porch like a layer cake — you need different heights and textures to make it interesting.
1. The Tall Backdrop (Height & Drama)
- Japanese Maple trees (like the ‘Twombly’s Red Sentinel’ variety)
- Deep burgundy/red leaves that turn even brighter in cold weather
- Planted in large containers at the back
2. The Middle Layer (Color & Fullness)
- Purple Coleus – vibrant plum leaves
- Coralbells (Heuchera) – ruffled leaves in bronze, burgundy, chartreuse
- Fall Ferns – feathery texture
- Hydrangeas – big flower heads (white ‘Annabelle’ variety looks stunning against dark leaves)
3. The Spillers (Movement & Softness)
- Sweet Potato Vine – trails over pot edges in chartreuse or purple
- Swedish Ivy – cascades beautifully from hanging pots or tall urns
The Container Magic: It’s Not Just What You Plant, It’s Where You Plant It
Container Pro Tip
Joanna uses weathered zinc buckets and vintage stone urns — containers that look like they’ve been there forever. The "old" look adds instant character and makes the plants feel like part of the landscape, not a temporary display.
You can get this look with:
- Whitewashed terracotta urns (Target has a great one for ~$67)
- Vintage-style ceramic planters (Wayfair ~$88)
- Any pot with a patina or texture that says "I’ve been here awhile"
Don’t Forget the Lighting!
The Gaines’ porch has black metal wall lanterns that:
- Anchor the whole display at night
- Add vintage warmth
- Create pretty shadows through the leaves
Look for: Matte black fixtures with glass panels (like the Lark Manor Sonali lantern, ~$180 at Wayfair)
Add a Place to Sit (Because You’ll Want to Stay Awhile)
A rustic wooden rocking chair completes the porch. The Gaines use one with:
- Warm wood patina
- Slatted back design
- Built to weather beautifully outdoors
Step-by-Step: Build Your Own "Forever Fall" Porch
- Pick your spot – Where gets good light? Where do people see it?
- Choose 3-5 large containers – Mix sizes, same color family (terracotta, stone, dark metal)
- Buy one "thriller" plant – Japanese maple or other small tree for height
- Add 3-4 "filler" plants – Coleus, coralbells, ferns, hydrangeas in fall colors
- Plant 2-3 "spiller" plants – Sweet potato vine, ivy for trailing
- Arrange in layers – Tall in back, medium middle, spillers front/edges
- Add lighting – Wall lanterns or string lights in the foliage
- Place seating – Rocking chair, bench, or cushions
- Water well – New plants need consistent moisture to establish
- Enjoy through Thanksgiving and beyond!
What the Experts Say
Tenielle Jordison, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens:
"I adore the layered foliage for a variety of fall color. By focusing on leaves, rather than relying solely on flowers and seasonal produce, the display has a richer palette that can evolve as the weather changes. As temperatures become cooler, the deeper tones of the planting become more prominent, allowing the porch to shift naturally into late fall without needing to be completely redecorated."
Translation: The cold weather actually makes your porch look better — the colors deepen and get richer naturally!
Summary: The Big Takeaway
The Golden Rule
Build your porch around plants, texture, and foliage that can carry you through the season.
- No panic on November 1st
- No bare porch syndrome
- No buying new decor every year
- Just a beautiful, living display that gets better with time
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Do I need a green thumb for this?
Not at all! Choose tough plants like ferns, coleus, and sweet potato vine. They’re very forgiving. Just water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
What if I don’t have a porch?
This works on any outdoor space — balcony, patio, deck, even a front stoop! Just scale the container sizes to your space.
Won’t the plants die in winter?
Many will go dormant (sleep) in winter and come back in spring! Japanese maples, coralbells, and hydrangeas are perennials. For annuals like coleus and sweet potato vine, you can take cuttings indoors or just replant next year.
Is this expensive to start?
It’s an investment upfront (plants + nice pots = $200-500), but you save money long-term because you’re not buying disposable decor every fall. Plus, plants grow — your display gets fuller and more impressive each year!
Can I still add a pumpkin or two if I want?
Absolutely! A few real pumpkins nestled in the foliage look gorgeous and natural. The difference is they’re accents, not the whole show. When they’re gone, the porch still looks amazing.
Ready to Try It?
Start small this year — even three pots with a maple, some coralbells, and trailing ivy will transform your entryway. Next year, add more. Before you know it, you’ll have a porch that stops traffic all season long — no pumpkins required!
Happy planting!