12 Plants You Should Never Grow in Fall

Dahlia flowers closeup — Photo:
Jena Ardell / Getty Images

As the cool weather rolls in, you might be among the many gardeners zealously planning a fall garden. While autumn is a great time for many plants to establish a strong root system before winter, it’s important to know that not all plants are optimal for in-ground planting during this season.

In short, anything frost-tender, short-lived, or quick to mold in the rain is best planted in spring after the risk of frost is over. This includes certain bulb varieties, cold-sensitive shrubs, and small perennials that can't develop a big enough root system to survive winter. If planted in fall weather conditions, plants that are vulnerable to cold damage can experience stunted growth or even die.

A plant's growth cycle also needs to be considered when planting in the fall, as certain plants have growth patterns that don't align well with the fall season. For example, they might need a longer growing season to mature fully, or they may enter dormancy as temperatures drop, making fall an unsuitable time to plant them.

Here, our gardening experts help you plant your fall garden by sharing the plants you should never grow during this season.

Ankit K Singh, assistant professor at the University of Maine and ornamental horticulture educator
Mary Turner, master gardener and owner of Salt Farm Flowers

01 of 12

Canna Lily

Canna lilies are beautiful tropical flowers with striking foliage, but they're best planted in spring after your region's last frost. “Planting Canna lilies in the fall is not advisable as they need warm soil and temperatures to sprout and grow effectively,” says Ankit K Singh, assistant professor at the University of Maine and ornamental horticulture educator.

02 of 12

Hibiscus

While hibiscus may be planted in the spring or summer, Singh does not recommend fall planting, as hibiscus plants need warm soil temperatures to establish well before the winter cold sets in.

03 of 12

Tuberose

Tuberose (Agave amica) is a hardy plant, but it's not frost-tolerant. "This warm-weather tuber cannot be planted in the fall since the cold and wet conditions will rot the tuber,” says Mary Turner, master gardener and owner of Salt Farm Flowers. “Planted in the late spring, Tuberose gives a delightful flower and fragrance.”

04 of 12

Coneflower

Echinacea pink coneflowe — Mieneke Andeweg-van Rijn / getty images

Coneflower (Echinacea) is considered short-lived and frost-sensitive; therefore, it is best to plant it in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. If the plant experiences frost damage before its root system has been established, the perennial may die off.

05 of 12

Gladiolus

This flower comes in two groups: "Some that can be planted anytime and left in the ground, while the other type is a bulb that cannot be planted in the fall because they are temperature sensitive and will rot over the winter,” says Turner. With that, some people dig them up in the fall and plant them in the spring.

06 of 12

Dahlias

In some areas, people do keep their dahlias in the ground, but this is typically not a plant that you should plant in the fall. “They do not tolerate the cold and they also do not tolerate the wet, so if you live in a warmer climate, dahlias will fail if too wet," says Turner. Dahlias turn to mush in wet climates.

07 of 12

Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is highly sensitive to cold temperatures and frost. “Planting it in the fall can lead to stunted growth or frost damage before it can be harvested," says Singh. On the bright side, you can grow this plant indoors year-round.

08 of 12

Tomatoes

Have homemade sauce on your mind? Unfortunately, tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are warm-season plants and cannot tolerate frost. "Planting them in the fall would expose them to cold temperatures, which could hinder their growth or cause them to die before they have a chance to produce fruit," says Singh.

09 of 12

Cucumber

Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) are a warm-season crop that requires warm soil and air temperatures, so fall planting increases the risk of poor growth and frost damage, says Singh.

10 of 12

Zucchini

Like cucumbers, zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) thrives in warm weather. “Planting in the fall could lead to poor fruit set and a higher risk of frost damage, making it unsuitable for fall planting,” says Singh.

11 of 12

Eggpant

multiple eggplants in a garden — Costache Hurgoi / 500px / Getty Images

Eggplants (Solanum melongena) are very sensitive to cold temperatures. “They require a long, warm growing season, and fall planting in most parts of the United States would likely result in poor growth and a lack of fruiting," says Singh.

12 of 12

Mustard Greens

If planted in fall, mustard greens (Brassica juncea) can fail in winter due to stress from transpiration. This is when plants release water vapor from their foliage. Since evergreens hold onto their leaves all year long, they transpire in winter as well. From spring to fall, plants can replace the moisture that transpires from their leaves by drawing up water through the roots. However, when the ground freezes, plants cannot access moisture. Because of this, mustard greens are best planted in spring.

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12 Plants You Should Never Grow in Fall, According to Experts