The Absolute Best (and Easiest) Plants to Grow Indoors This Fall

1. Boxwood Hedges

Perfectly sculpted boxwood hedges offer privacy and give a sense of poshness to a garden. However, maintaining them requires frequent pruning, they're prone to pests like boxwood blight, and trimming services can add up quickly. Instead, look for low-maintenance hedges like viburnum, common box, and cherry laurel.

2. Koi Ponds

A serene koi pond with a water feature requires constant upkeep — regular water testing, filtration maintenance, and fish care (including specialized diets, temp control, and vet care!).

3. Rose Gardens

Traditional rose gardens are lovely when maintained properly but they require constant attention. They need proper pruning, fertilizing, pest control, and are prone to disease. Roses are highly susceptible to black spot, powdery mildew, and aphids, making them a pretty demanding plant. I gave up my roses for drought-tolerant plants and olive trees in my California garden.

4. Cobblestone or Brick Pathways

Over time, moss and weeds grow between the stones and brick, creating slippery surfaces and requiring frequent cleaning. Frost heaving and settling can create uneven surfaces here too, which can be costly to repair. Gravel and mulch are low-budget options that can still look great and don't require a lot of upkeep in the garden.

5. Topiaries

Shaping plants into whimsical topiaries is not for the faint of heart — or wallet. These sculpted plants demand expert trimming, precise watering, and protection from harsh weather. Hiring a professional topiarist can be an ongoing and expensive commitment for more elaborate topiaries, like animal shapes and other artistic sculpting.

6. Traditional Fountains

A grand fountain can be the focal point of a traditional backyard, but keeping it in pristine condition requires frequent cleaning, water treatment, and pump maintenance. Algae buildup, clogged filters, and winter freezing can all lead to costly repairs and upkeep.

7. Ornate Ironwork

Iron is prone to rust, meaning you'll need to endure frequent sanding, priming, and repainting to keep them looking polished and pristine, which can get tiresome over time.

8. Massive Lawns

I replaced an uncomfortable, and frankly ugly, rock lawn with a small grass lawn for my kiddo and dog to enjoy and my water bill quadrupled! A sprawling, perfectly green lawn is a major water guzzler. Keeping it lush requires constant mowing, fertilizing, aeration, and irrigation. Consider more mulch and gravel than grass.

9. Gazebos or Pergolas

Maintaining wooden structures like gazebos means regular staining, sealing, and repairs to prevent weather-related wear and tear. If made from natural wood, they’re especially vulnerable to rot, termites, and warping. Look for more weather-resistant protection or plant more shade trees.

10. Plastic Edging

Plastic and gardens don't make an ideal match. Plastic edging may seem like a quick fix, but it's often frustrating to install, prone to shifting over time, and can lead to weed crossover and untidy borders. While affordable upfront, its short lifespan makes it a poor long-term investment. Opt for sustainable alternatives that not only last but also prevent microplastics from contaminating your soil.

1. Layer Your Plants

You can sketch out a plan based on your usable space and how you hope to use it. Place taller trees and shrubs toward the back, medium-sized plants in the middle, and low-growing flowers or ground cover like clover, creeping thyme, or moss to create a full, lush look.

2. Grow Climbing Plants

Cover trellises and fences with climbing plants like jasmine or Bougainvillea, whatever suits your climate, to maximize green space and add visual interest to your front yard.

3. Plant Flowering Shrubs

Plant shrubs like hydrangeas, azaleas, or camellias that provide seasonal changes, like greenery in the cooler months and bursts of color come spring.

4. Choose a Variety of Textures and Colors

You'll want to mix different plant textures to add visual interest and depth to your landscaping. Some of the grasses, ground cover, flowers, and trees I used included White Fountain Grass, Lamb's Ear, Icelandic poppies, Bougainvillea (the peach variety), olive and lemon trees for my Northern California yard. My color palette was focused on the green and citrus color families. Talk to your local gardening store about plants that work best in your area and find ones that you love.

5. Use Evergreen Plants for Structure

Planting evergreens like boxwood or juniper will help you maintain a lush appearance even during colder months while providing a structured framework for seasonal plants.

6. Plant Native and Drought-Resistant Plants

If you live in a drought-prone climate, look for plants that require minimal water and maintenance, such as succulents, lavender, or ornamental grasses.

7. Install Curved Garden Beds

If you have the space for it, design your landscaping with gently curved flower beds instead of straight lines to create a more organic look.

8. Grow Wildflowers

You won't regret converting a section of your yard into a wildflower meadow to attract pollinators and have pretty bouquets at full bloom. My daughter and I wanted to attract ladybugs and butterflies and chose our plants accordingly.

9. Plants Edibles (No, Not That Kind)

Mix herbs, fruit-bearing plants, and veggies into your landscape for a sustainable and functional front yard that feeds your soul and your belly!

10. Plant Shade Trees

Deciduous trees can provide shade, improve air quality, and reduce your home's energy costs by keeping it cooler in the summer.

11. Add Porch Plants

Along the lines of layering your plants, porch plants hung from above, such as ferns, petunias, or ivy, add charm, texture, and a touch of nature to your outdoor space.

12. Create a Focal Point

Design around a statement piece such as a reading nook (in the case of my space), a bird bath, a sculptural tree like a Japanese maple, or for a more traditional look, a flower-filled urn, surrounded by lush plantings to draw the eye and anchor the design.

13. Use Pots to Cover Concrete

Not blessed with a bed full of soil? No problem. Use potted plants to create an inviting, welcoming look to your front yard or steps.

14. Add a Pop of Color

Painting your door a bright color to contrast with all the lush greenery can really make your landscaping pop and your home exterior look strikingly good.

Anora — Stream on Hulu March 17, 2025

When sex worker Anora and politician's son Vanya tie the knot so Vanya can get a green card and escape his father, their lives totally flip upside down — and not just because Vanya's family sets out to end the marriage.

Anora stars Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, Vache Tovmasyan, and Aleksei Serebryakov.

But this year's biggest musical is definitely Wicked. This alternative origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good follows the college roommates as they come of age in Oz, and learn the Wizard isn't all as he seems. I can't for Part 2 this year!

Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Nickel Boys — Stream On MGM+

Nickel Boys tells the story of Elwood and Turner, two African American young men surviving reform school in 1962 Jim Crow-era Florida.

Nickel Boys stars Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, Jimmie Fails, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.

A Complete Unknown — Rent on Amazon Prime

The Best Picture nominee follows Bob Dylan as he gains recognition in the folk music world — then surprises everyone when he moves toward rock. See our interview with Oscar nominee Monica Barbaro!

A Complete Unknown stars Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro, Edward Norton, Boyd Holbrook, Dan Fogler, Norbert Leo Butz, Eriko Hatsune, Big Bill Morganfield, Will Harrison, and Scoot McNairy.

I'm Still Here — Stream on Apple TV+

Eunice Paiva must keep her family together & fight for what's right when her husband disappears under the 1970 military dictatorship in Brazil.

I'm Still Here stars Fernanda Torres, Selton Mello, and Fernanda Montenegro.

This sequel opens after Paul has joined the Fremen, and after he escaped the murderous Harkonnen family. Now he's out to avenge his father — and come to terms with his destiny as a savior.

Dune: Part Two stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Charlotte Rampling, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux, and Christopher Walken.

In this musical thriller, Cartel leader Emilia enlists the help of Rita, a lawyer, to help her retire from a life of crime and live out her truth.

Emilia Pérez stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Edgar Ramírez.

Elisabeth Sparkle gets fired from her own fitness TV show after she turns 50. But she seems to find a solution when she acquires The Substance...and creates a younger version of herself. The absolutely crazy thriller was one of the buzziest movies of the year — and won Demi Moore her first Golden Globe!

The Substance stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid.

Conclave — Stream On Peacock

This movie takes place during a conclave to choose the next pope, and is totally unprepared for the scandals he uncovers along the way.

Conclave stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Sergio Castellitto, and Isabella Rossellini.

The Brutalist — Rent on Amazon Prime

In the 4-hour The Brutalist, Adrien Brody's László Tóth is a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor who moves to America and works to achieve the American Dream.

The Brutalist stars Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Emma Laird, Isaach de Bankolé, and Alessandro Nivola.

A Real Pain — Stream on Hulu

Two Jewish American cousins reconnect and embark on a Holocaust tour in Poland after the death of their grandmother. This was one of my favorite movies of the year and I couldn't recommend it more!

A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy, and Daniel Oreskes.

The Wild Robot — Stream on Peacock

Robot Roz crashes on a deserted island and quickly adopts an orphaned gosling, teaching him to fly and prepping him for the annual migration. Prepare to cry, like, a lot!! Check out our interview with Lupita Nyong'o to see what movie makes her cry.

The Wild Robot stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Catherine O'Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, and Mark Hamill.

Alien: Romulus — Stream On Hulu

A group of young space colonizers are tasked with exploring an abandoned space station and must confront the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Alien: Romulus stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.

Twisters follows former storm chaser Kate. When she's roped back into chasing by her friend Javi, Kate meets social media star Tyler, and comes face-to-face with the biggest storms ever.

Twisters stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Brandon Perea, Anthony Ramos, Maura Tierney, Sasha Lane, Harry Hadden-Paton, David Corenswet, Daryl McCormack, Tunde Adebimpe, Katy O’Brian, Nik Dodani, Kiernan Shipka, and Paul Scheer.

Challengers — Stream On Prime Video

In Challengers, former tennis star Tashi coaches her husband Art, but her job gets way more complicated when he ends up in a match against his former best friend (and her ex) Patrick.

Challengers stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor.

Riley's becoming a teenager in Inside Out 2, which means Joy, Sadness, Anger, Envy, Fear, and Disgust have to make way for new emotions like Anxiety and Envy. What could go wrong?

Inside Out 2 stars Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Ayo Edebiri, Maya Hawke, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Paul Walter Hauser, Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Kensington Tallman, Lilimar, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan.

Deadpool teams up with the one and only Wolverine (well, after meeting dozens throughout the multiverse) after learning the TVA plans on destroying his timeline and his loved ones.

Deadpool & Wolverine stars Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Stefan Kapičić, Brianna Hildebrand, Shioli Kutsuna, Owen Wilson, Matthew Macfadyen, Emma Corrin, Jennifer Garner, Chris Evans, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Blake Lively, and Dafne Keen.

Lydia Deetz and her daughter Astrid return to Winter River after a family tragedy, and wind up enlisting Beetlejuice's help (if you can even call it that) after Astrid opens a portal to the afterlife.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice stars Jenna Ortega, Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Willem Dafoe, and Justin Theroux.

After the death of his wife, Lucius becomes a gladiator with a mission: take revenge on the general responsible for her death.

Gladiator 2 stars Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Fred Hechinger, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington.

Diamonds Are Forever — Rent on Amazon Prime

Okay, this James Bond movie wasn't technically nominated at the Oscars, but after Margaret Qualley, Raye, Doja Cat, and Lisa's amazing tribute I had to include it! In the movie, 007 breaks into a diamond-smuggling ring in Las Vegas — and comes face-to-face with a beautiful stranger who could turn out to be a double agent.

Diamonds Are Forever stars Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray, Lana Wood, Jimmy Dean, and Bruce Cabot.