The clocks have officially gone back, welcoming the return of standard time (or "wintertime"). As the days grow shorter, it's the perfect opportunity to transform your home into a warm, inviting sanctuary. We're here to share inspiring ideas for making your indoors extra cosy and colourful using beautiful houseplants, scented elements, and mood-enhancing décor like bowls filled with walnuts, pine cones, or decorative gourds.
At Carpenters Nursery garden centre, we have everything you need to create a welcoming autumn atmosphere!
Houseplants with Warm Autumn Leaf Colours
Plants with richly coloured foliage are ideal for echoing the season's palette indoors:
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Calathea is known for its dynamic movement; leaves fold up at night and unfurl in daylight. Features striking veins and colours. Needs bright, indirect light (direct sun scorches the leaves) and loves high humidity (mist occasionally).
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Begonia is back in vogue! Look for varieties like the polka-dot begonia (Begonia maculata). Features leaves in gorgeous patterns and colours ranging from rust brown to red and deep purple (like 'Indian Summer'). Prefers moist soil and a bright spot without full sun.
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Philodendron brings a touch of the jungle with leathery, heart-shaped, or deeply serrated leaves. Varieties come in lime green, dark red, pink, and variegated types. Needs little water and a bright spot, but not direct sunlight. Tip: Use a climbing variety in a hanging pot to create a living wall tapestry.
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Croton: Also called the wonder tree, this stunning eye-catcher features leaves variegated in almost every autumn hue: yellow, red, orange, and purple. Thrives in direct sunlight, making it ideal for a spot near a window. Keep the soil lightly moist.
Houseplants with Fiery Autumn Flowers
Inject intense, vibrant colour with tropical plants that produce spectacular blooms or brightly coloured bracts:
- Bromeliads and Guzmanias: Exotic beauties with tubular flowers (actually modified leaves called bracts) in vibrant reds, yellows, and other fiery shades. Place them in a bright spot but away from direct sun. Water them directly into their central cup or rosette and mist occasionally to maintain high humidity.
- Flamingo Plant (Anthurium): A tropical favourite with glossy leaves and eye-catching, waxy flowers (bracts) in white, bright red, soft red, or orange. It prefers a bright spot without harsh sunlight and needs watering once or twice a week. Like the Bromeliad, it appreciates a regular misting.
Create an Autumn Bouquet & Mood
Beyond houseplants, you can enhance your home's seasonal look with fresh cuts and decorative elements:
- Seasonal Bouquets: Fill large vases or a collection of small bottles with autumn bloomers like chrysanthemums, alstroemerias, and dahlias. Add textures with natural elements such as rose hips, berry twigs, and orange lanterns from the Physalis plant.
- Find Your Décor: Scour your garden for natural finds or visit our garden centre in St Albans. We offer beautiful vases, colourful pots for your houseplants, and even realistic blooming artificial flowers and branches.
- Set the Mood: Chase away the autumn blues! Complement your foliage and flowers with sensory elements like scented candles and natural textures like pine cones and gourds.
Our garden centre in St. Albans has inspiring tips and everything you need for a cozy, warm, and inviting autumn interior.
