When the summer heat fades and fall’s crisp air starts to settle in, it’s easy to assume that the gardening season is over.
But, as I’ve learned over the years, fall is a fantastic time to plant certain annuals that will keep your garden looking colorful and lively until the first frost arrives.
In fact, some annuals thrive in cooler temperatures, giving your garden a second wind just when everything else is winding down.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just looking for some fresh ideas for your outdoor space, here are 11 annuals you can grow from fall until frost.
1. Pansies
Pansies are the quintessential fall annual.
I’ve been planting them for years, and they never fail to bring vibrant color to my garden in the cooler months.
With their bold, velvety petals in shades of purple, yellow, red, and blue, pansies brighten up any space.
What I love most about pansies is their cold tolerance.
They can survive a light frost and often bounce back stronger than ever.
I usually plant pansies in containers on my porch or along my garden’s border, where they add cheerful pops of color all the way into late fall.
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, cold-hardy annual, pansies are an excellent choice.
2. Snapdragons
Snapdragons are another fall favorite that thrive in cooler weather.
These spiky, tall flowers come in a rainbow of colors, from soft pastels to bold, bright hues.
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that snapdragons bloom best when the temperatures are mild.
They love the crisp fall air and will keep flowering right up until the first hard frost.
I like to plant snapdragons in clusters for maximum impact, and they look stunning paired with fall foliage.
Another great thing about snapdragons is that they’re deer-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about wildlife munching on them.
3. Marigolds
Marigolds are a classic garden staple, and they shine in the fall garden just as brightly as they do in summer.
With their rich orange, yellow, and red hues, marigolds practically scream “fall.”
I’ve always loved how easy marigolds are to grow—they’re tough, hardy, and can tolerate a range of conditions.
In the fall, marigolds seem to take on an even deeper color, making them a perfect addition to seasonal displays.
I’ve found that marigolds also do a great job of repelling pests, which is an added bonus if you’re still battling garden bugs late in the season.
Just plant them in a sunny spot, and they’ll reward you with blooms until the first frost.
4. Calendula
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, is one of those underappreciated annuals that really shines in the fall.
The bright, daisy-like flowers come in shades of orange and yellow, making them perfect for adding a warm, autumnal feel to your garden.
I started growing calendula a few years ago, and I was impressed by how well it performs in cooler weather.
Calendula blooms continuously from fall until frost, and the flowers are edible, making them a fun addition to salads and garnishes.
Plus, they attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which is always a bonus for the garden ecosystem.
5. Sweet Alyssum
If you’re looking for a low-growing annual that adds a delicate, fragrant touch to your fall garden, sweet alyssum is the way to go.
This dainty plant produces clusters of tiny white, purple, or pink flowers that release a sweet, honey-like scent.
I like to plant sweet alyssum along the edges of my flower beds or in containers where I can enjoy the fragrance up close.
It thrives in cooler temperatures and can even handle a light frost.
Sweet alyssum looks particularly beautiful when paired with other fall annuals like pansies or snapdragons, and it adds a soft, romantic feel to the garden.
6. Dusty Miller
Dusty miller isn’t known for its flowers, but its striking silvery-gray foliage makes it a standout in the fall garden.
I’ve used dusty miller in many of my container gardens over the years, and it always provides a cool, frosty contrast to the bold colors of fall flowers.
Dusty miller is incredibly hardy and can tolerate both heat and cold, which makes it perfect for fall planting.
It pairs beautifully with just about anything—mums, pansies, and marigolds all look stunning when planted alongside dusty miller.
As the temperatures drop, its silvery leaves take on an even more pronounced frost-like appearance, adding texture and interest to your garden.
7. Petunias
Petunias might be more commonly associated with summer, but they can perform surprisingly well in fall, especially in regions where the temperatures don’t drop too quickly.
I’ve had petunias continue blooming well into late fall, especially when planted in sunny spots.
Their wide variety of colors—from soft pastels to deep, bold tones—makes them perfect for mixing and matching with other fall annuals.
Petunias love full sun and will keep flowering as long as you keep them deadheaded.
I usually plant petunias in hanging baskets or window boxes where they can spill over the edges and create a cascade of color.
8. Nemesia
Nemesia is a relatively new addition to my fall garden, but it’s quickly become one of my favorites.
These small, colorful flowers thrive in cooler temperatures and bloom continuously from fall until frost.
What I love most about nemesia is the wide range of colors it comes in, from vibrant purples and pinks to soft yellows and whites.
Nemesia is perfect for containers or as a border plant, and it has a sweet, subtle fragrance that adds to its appeal.
I’ve found that nemesia does best in partial sun and appreciates regular watering, especially during dry spells.
9. Dianthus
Dianthus, or pinks, are one of those versatile annuals that can handle both heat and cold, making them ideal for fall planting.
With their fragrant, fringed flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, dianthus adds a pop of color to the garden when other plants are starting to fade.
I’ve had great success growing dianthus in containers, and they seem to thrive in cooler temperatures.
Dianthus also has a long blooming season, so you’ll get to enjoy their pretty flowers from fall right up until frost.
They’re easy to care for, requiring only occasional deadheading to keep them looking their best.
10. Lobelia
Lobelia is a cool-weather lover that puts on a beautiful display of blue, purple, or white flowers.
I’ve always loved using lobelia in my fall containers because it adds a burst of vibrant color, and the cascading varieties look stunning spilling over the edges of pots or hanging baskets.
Lobelia thrives in the cooler temperatures of fall and will keep blooming until frost arrives.
One of the things I appreciate about lobelia is that it doesn’t require much maintenance—just water regularly and provide a little shade in the hottest part of the day.
It’s a fantastic choice for adding a fresh, lively feel to your fall garden.
11. Zinnias
Zinnias might not be the first plant you think of for fall, but they can actually perform well in the cooler months, especially in regions where frost comes late.
I’ve had zinnias bloom well into fall, especially when planted in a sunny spot.
With their bright, bold flowers in a wide range of colors, zinnias bring a cheerful, summer-like vibe to the autumn garden.
They’re also easy to grow from seed, so if you want a quick burst of color, zinnias are a great option.
I like to plant zinnias in containers on my deck, where I can enjoy their blooms up close.
Plus, they’re a favorite of butterflies, so they add life to the garden as well as color.
Final Thoughts
Fall doesn’t mean the end of your gardening season.
In fact, with the right selection of annuals, you can keep your garden bursting with color from fall until frost.
Over the years, I’ve found that choosing hardy, cool-weather-loving annuals like pansies, marigolds, and snapdragons can transform your garden into a vibrant oasis long after summer has passed.
From the bold, cheerful flowers of calendula and petunias to the soft, romantic blooms of sweet alyssum and lobelia, there’s no shortage of options for keeping your outdoor space lively and colorful.
The key is to choose plants that thrive in cooler temperatures and can handle a light frost, so you can enjoy your garden for as long as possible.
So, don’t pack away your gardening gloves just yet—fall is the perfect time to plant these annuals and enjoy a stunning display of color until the very last frost!