Halloween is right around the corner, and if you’re looking to give your garden a spooky makeover, adding some creepy plants can set the perfect haunting mood. From carnivorous plants that eat insects to plants with spine-chilling names, here are 10 scary plants to consider for your Halloween garden.
Snapdragon Plants
While lovely in bloom, snapdragon plants have a creepy look when their flowers fade. The withered flowers look like the mouths of fantastical beasts. Let your snapdragons go to seed and scatter them around your garden for an eerie effect. They reseed prolifically, then you’ll have a continuous supply of spooky spent blooms.
Venus Flytraps
The Venus flytrap is arguably one of the spookiest plants. This carnivorous plant lures insects into its jaw-like traps and clamps down on them when triggered. Watching a Venus flytrap in action is sure to send chills down your spine. They grow best in humid environments and require specific care, but definitely make a freaky addition to any Halloween garden.
Cobra Lily
With its long tendrils and freakish shape, the cobra lily is enough to give any unsuspecting insect nightmares. This carnivorous plant traps prey in its pitcher-shaped leaves and dissolves insects with its digestive juices. It’s like something straight out of a scary movie!
Deadly Nightshade
Named after its toxic qualities, deadly nightshade definitely lives up to its chilling name. All parts of this plant are poisonous and contain tropane alkaloids that can cause delirium and hallucinations if ingested. Deadly nightshade produces dark black berries and has lush green leaves and purple, veined flowers.
Bat Face Cuphea
One look at this plant gives you an idea of how it got its name. The flowers of bat face cuphea are shaped like little bats with open mouths, fangs, and all. Interplant them with other Halloween-themed flowers, you will get an instant creepy look. They are tender perennials hardy in zones 10-11, but can be grown as annuals in cooler zones.
Bleeding Heart
An old-fashioned garden favorite, bleeding heart develops ghostly white shoots that hang down and sway in the breeze. A row of bleeding hearts plants can give the look of spirits lurking in your garden.
Corpse Flower
Known for the putrid smell it emits when blooming, corpse flower is famous for its deathly aroma. This Sumatran native smells like rotting flesh, attracting corpse flies and beetles that feed on dead animals. The smell only lasts 24-48 hours while in bloom. You likely won’t want to plant this next to your porch, but it’s certain to be a conversation starter for daring Halloween gardeners.
Witch Hazel
With its wispy, spider-like flowers that bloom in fall and its use in folk medicine, it’s no wonder this plant has “witch” in its name. You can plant a witch hazel shrub as the centerpiece of your Halloween garden. You can also prune it into a creepy, twisted shape and decorate it with spider webs for added fright.
Devil’s Claw
Sporting curved, claw-shaped seed pods, devil’s claw is an unusual plant that looks like it could snatch you right up. It has intricately shaped red and orange flowers. Just be sure to keep it contained, as devil’s claw can be invasive.
Black Magic Holly
For a dose of Halloween spirit, you can plant some black magic holly bushes. The plant leaves are nearly black in color, bringing a magic look to your outdoor space. Pair it with some creepy garden ornaments or use as a backdrop for your zombie graveyard.
Decorating Your Eerie Garden
The plants you select form the foundation, but don’t forget to accessorize your Halloween garden with some creepy elements to fully embrace the spooky season. Here are some ideas:
Add motion-activated decorations like jumping spiders that launch out at passersby when triggered.
Carve jack-o-lanterns featuring ghoulish faces and place them strategically around your garden. For extra impact, you can try to nestle them amongst spine-chilling plants.
Make DIY ghost decorations from old sheets and cheesecloth. Hang them from tree branches or position them peeking out from behind shrubs.
Incorporate fog machines to create an eerie mist across your landscape.
Use outdoor projectors to cast creepy shadows or ghostly faces on walls and fences after dark.
Lighting Your Halloween Garden
To make your space terrifying at night, strategic lighting is key. Here are some tips:
Use strands of orange string lights to cast a flickering glow reminiscent of a jack-o-lantern.
Place glowing Halloween ornaments peeking out from dense shrubs.
Stick luminary bags along the garden path to guide trick-or-treaters.
Hang battery-powered black lights to make plant foliage appear electric green and purple.
Position uplights in trees to create looming shadows on the lawn or against the house.
Install motion sensor lights that abruptly turn on as visitors approach for occasional scares.
Conclusion
With the right mix of plants and decor, your yard can become the most special on the block. With a bit of creativity, you can transform your garden into a spine-tingling spectacle. Just be sure to keep the truly dangerous plants secured and clearly marked to avoid any accidental poisonings!