Go goth, in a pot
No, we’re not talking about a witches’ brew; we’re talking about fall container gardening. This month, we met up with Jess Goehler, curator, Plant Collections, to create a wickedly beautiful piece of goth plant art. We hope her creation inspires you to add a goth gardening container of your own this Halloween.
Goth gardening (drawn from Victorian or Gothic gardening) is having more than a moment; it’s been all the rage for years. In 2024, it was dubbed one of gardening’s trendiest topics as gardeners, new and experienced, implemented dark, moody containers, sections of their space, or entire gardens.
The appeal is in the creativity:
Goth gardening features dark, dramatic-looking plants, but it also embraces mess, a wilder look, decay (no need to get rid of every dead flower or branch), found objects, and architectural elements like statues. A goth garden or container isn’t supposed to be perfect: The point is to step outside the box—to play with personality and aesthetic. It’s a great option for beginners who want to explore the possibilities of gardening without pressure to do it “the right way.”
Want to get your hands dirty? Below are plants Jess recommends for your goth gardening container; you should be able to find them, or similar varieties, at Chicago-area gardening centers this time of year.
Scroll down for Jess’s own frightfully fun creation.
Celosia argentea INTENZ™ ‘Dark Purple’
Bold scarlets, magentas, and purples are goth gardening staples, and this celosia does not disappoint with its intense color. Jess says its upright habit “towers like the stained-glass windows” you might see in Gothic architecture. Nice touch, Jess.
Heuchera ‘Black Pearl’
No goth container would feel quite complete without dark foliage, and these glossy black coral bells come with the added intrigue of purple-hued undersides. It’s easy to grow and hard to kill its black soul (er, leaves).
Viola x wittrockiana ‘Clear Violet’
These velvety purple blooms are pure enchantment; they’re winter survivor pansies and can tough it out deep into the colder days, filling out your container with flair and color for the long haul.
Hedera helix
Also known as classic English ivy, Hedera helix might seem understated next to the bolder plants in your container, but it’s fulfilling a crucial role: adding a lush, overgrown look for a hint of mystery.
Brassica oleracea 'Ruby Perfection'
Ornamental cabbage is a fall classic. Not only is it frost-tolerant, but its silvery tones shapeshift to redder hues deeper into the season. One of the beauties of goth gardening is celebrating nature’s organic changes, and this plant does just that.
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Marie III Dark Pink’
Jess describes these asters as “boisterous.” They bring the drama with their bold pink petals, and make a perfect choice for a starring role in your container, since a little cold won’t scare them off.
Capsicum annuum ‘Onyx Red’
Ornamental peppers add a witchy pop of accent color and texture, and Jess used a few types in her container—including this one, with its black foliage and blood-red (inedible) fruit.
Rose hips – Rosa sp.
Rose hips are used in teas, pies, and…potions? Historically medicinal, they’re gangly and climbing. Use them with a found object, like Jess did, for a vertical, architectural flourish.
The final masterpiece
Jess incorporated a wire frame to shape the rose hips and round out the “Tim Burton wedding” vibe of her container. Get creative! Bonus points for a fog machine to transform your container into a true character in your Halloween display.
Water your container every two to three days, depending on dryness:
Check about 1 inch below the soil level to see if the soil feels dry, and if it does, it’s time to water. Containers in full sun, and containers you’ve filled to the brim with plants (who could blame you), will also dry out faster. With proper care, a container using these plants can last up to a few months—carrying you through fall until it’s time for another adventure: your winter containers.