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Dead Planters and Urns for a Gothic Halloween Front Porch
- Goes in Placed on the porch floor
- Weather Weight them in wind
- Best for Best texture
Dead plants are one of the cheapest gothic details. A black urn of dried branches and black roses next to the door says the house has been left to its ghosts.
What you will need
- Two to four black urns or planters
- Dried branches, bare twigs or faux dead stems
- Black faux roses and dark trailing ivy
- Spray paint (matte black) if the planters need color
- Rocks, sand or bricks for weight
How to set it up
- Spray any bright planters matte black and let them dry fully.
- Put rocks or a brick at the bottom of each planter so it will not tip.
- Push the branches in at different heights, and bend a few outward to look broken.
- Tuck black roses among the branches, with one or two wilting over the rim.
- Let ivy trail down the side and spill over the front.
- Group the planters in odd numbers on either side of the door.
Where it goes
Placement. Place planters beside the door and along the wall, not in the walking path. Leave at least three feet of clear width at the door and keep the ramp or steps free.
Weather
Tall branches catch wind, so weight the base. Bring faux roses in if heavy rain is forecast, since the dye can run.
Mistakes to avoid
- Planters in front of the door or across the path.
- Light pots that tip over in wind.
- Real plants that are left to rot.
Make it better
Add a battery LED candle in a small lantern next to each planter and a few dried leaves scattered around the base.
Where to buy
Amazon links; check the product page against the notes before you order.
- Black urn planter (check the weight and outdoor rating)
Safety for every piece
- Keep an accessible route from the sidewalk to the door at least 36 inches wide, and wider if you can. Nothing sticks out into it, no cords cross it and no stakes line it.
- Light every step edge. Fog, webs and costumes make edges hard to see.
- Use outdoor-rated lights and cords, plug them into a GFCI outlet and keep connections off wet ground.
- Keep decor off the handrail, the door, the house number and the doorbell.