Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and gratitude, and one of the best ways to celebrate the season is by creating a beautiful floral arrangement to brighten your home. Flowers not only add color and fragrance to your decor, but they also bring the spirit of autumn to your table or mantel. Whether you're hosting a large family gathering or simply want to add a seasonal touch to your home, selecting the right flowers is key to making a stunning Thanksgiving floral arrangement.
Here’s a guide to the best flowers to use for creating beautiful, Thanksgiving-inspired floral displays that will capture the essence of fall.
1. Chrysanthemums (Mums)
Chrysanthemums, or mums, are one of the quintessential flowers of fall. With their wide variety of colors and textures, they are a go-to flower for Thanksgiving arrangements. Mums come in rich autumn hues like deep burgundy, golden yellow, burnt orange, and soft rust, making them perfect for the season. Their full, round blooms resemble miniature pom-poms, adding volume and texture to your arrangements.
Mums also last longer than many other flowers, so they’re ideal for holiday centerpieces. They pair beautifully with other fall flowers like sunflowers and dahlias, or can be used on their own for a striking, bold look.
2. Sunflowers
Nothing says fall quite like the bright, cheerful face of a sunflower. These iconic autumn flowers bring warmth and energy to any Thanksgiving arrangement with their golden-yellow petals and dark centers. Sunflowers are a perfect choice for creating a festive, sun-kissed feel on your table.
A large, single sunflower can serve as the focal point of a bouquet, or you can group several smaller ones together for a fuller arrangement. Their large, bold petals contrast beautifully with smaller flowers like roses or asters, and they pair wonderfully with other seasonal elements such as pumpkins, berries, and pinecones.
3. Roses
Roses are always a timeless choice for any floral arrangement, and during Thanksgiving, their warm shades of orange, deep red, and burgundy are perfect for capturing the essence of the season. Roses add an air of elegance to your Thanksgiving table while still keeping a cozy, autumnal vibe.
For a more rustic feel, try using garden roses with their loose, cupped petals. They have a more relaxed look that works beautifully in casual arrangements, while their rich colors—like deep crimson or copper—complement the fall color palette. Pairing roses with other seasonal flowers like chrysanthemums or ranunculus will create a balanced, harmonious arrangement.
4. Calla Lilies
Calla lilies are sleek and sophisticated, making them perfect for creating a more elegant Thanksgiving display. While not traditionally associated with fall, calla lilies come in stunning colors like burgundy, deep orange, and soft yellow, making them an excellent choice for the season. Their unique, trumpet-shaped blooms bring a touch of modern elegance to any arrangement.
Calla lilies work well in both formal and informal settings. You can create a simple, minimalistic bouquet with a few stems, or mix them with other flowers like roses or dahlias for a more lush, full look. The striking shape of the calla lily adds visual interest and elevates any Thanksgiving arrangement.
5. Dahlias
Dahlias are another fantastic fall flower, known for their vibrant, ruffled petals and bold colors. Available in rich shades of orange, red, yellow, and purple, dahlias have an almost sculptural quality that makes them stand out in any floral arrangement. Their large, showy blooms create an impactful statement, so they’re perfect for making a centerpiece that will capture your guests’ attention.
Dahlias pair well with more delicate flowers like baby’s breath or eucalyptus, as well as other autumn blooms like sunflowers and chrysanthemums. Their variety in color and shape allows them to blend into both rustic and elegant Thanksgiving table settings.
6. Craspedia (Billy Balls)
Craspedia, often called Billy Balls, is a small, round flower that adds a fun, unexpected element to your Thanksgiving floral arrangement. These bright yellow, globe-shaped flowers are playful and add a pop of color, creating visual contrast with other blooms like mums, roses, or dahlias.
Although they’re not as traditional as some of the other fall flowers, craspedia adds a unique texture and brightness to arrangements, especially when combined with foliage like eucalyptus or fern leaves. Their cheerful look complements the warmth of fall and can help bring balance to an otherwise rich and bold arrangement.
7. Cinnamon Sticks & Seasonal Foliage
While not technically flowers, adding seasonal elements like cinnamon sticks, dried leaves, or even small sprigs of rosemary can enhance the fragrance and texture of your Thanksgiving floral arrangements. Cinnamon sticks can be bundled and tied with twine, and their warm, spicy scent brings a sensory experience to your table. Rosemary or sage also offer a lovely herbal scent and complement the rich colors of your autumn flowers.
Incorporating dried or preserved leaves in shades of red, orange, and gold adds an extra layer of depth to your arrangements, making them feel more natural and reflective of the season.
8. Asters
Asters are another excellent fall flower known for their star-like shape and variety of rich colors, including purple, pink, and white. These delicate, daisy-like blooms bring a touch of softness to your Thanksgiving arrangements while still offering a burst of color.
Asters are a great way to add contrast to more solid, bold blooms like sunflowers or chrysanthemums. Their feathery petals and small size allow them to blend beautifully into bouquets and create a more balanced, dynamic look.
9. Cotton Bolls
Cotton bolls, often used in rustic or farmhouse-style arrangements, are a lovely addition to Thanksgiving floral designs. Their soft, white fluff contrasts beautifully with the warm autumn hues of other flowers, such as red roses, orange dahlias, or yellow sunflowers. Cotton bolls also bring a touch of Southern charm to your display, adding texture and a natural element that complements the season.
They’re perfect for incorporating into wreaths, garlands, or large centerpieces, and their neutral color makes them versatile for any Thanksgiving theme.
When creating your Thanksgiving floral arrangement, don’t forget to incorporate a variety of textures, colors, and shapes to make your display as vibrant and inviting as the season itself. By using a combination of autumn flowers like chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and dahlias, and adding seasonal accents like cinnamon sticks, cotton bolls, and foliage, you can craft a stunning centerpiece or arrangement that reflects the warmth and beauty of Thanksgiving.
Whether you're decorating your dining table or adding festive touches to other areas of your home, these fall flowers will help you create a memorable, seasonal atmosphere that’s sure to impress your guests and brighten your holiday celebrations.