The $17 Costco “Living Decor” Gem I Buy Dozens of Every Single Fall (I Wait All Year for It!)

Heading into fall, I used to think that there was no better purchase than a Costco pumpkin pie. It’s easily the best store-bought pumpkin pie I’ve tasted, and I love how easily it feeds a crowd. So let there be no confusion, I love it and buy my fair share of them. But a few years ago, a mom friend turned me onto an even better fall find at Costco: the mums. Now, at the top of my bucket list for the season (and my September Costco list!), I embrace the fall spirit by buying at least two pots of 14-inch hardy mums.

Literally everything! Starting around early-to-mid September, Costco rolls out racks and racks of beautiful, fresh 14-inch potted mums in every color. Whether you want red, purple, orange, yellow, or white — you can find a selection of all the autumnal shades. And if you’re having a hard time visualizing the size of 14-inch mums, they’re huge.

Over the past few years, I’ve purchased over a dozen of these potted flowers, and have always been so impressed that they last through Thanksgiving every single time — sometimes into December! Just be sure to water them regularly and prune any dried out or dead flowers.

When the flowers are fully open, you can expect a large, super-lush looking plant that’s perfect for displaying outside or inside. I like to get a set of mums for my porch and also put a pot on each of the pillars at the end of my driveway. These mums also come in a pretty, sturdy, thick plastic pot. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s also not cheap-looking, and definitely nice enough to put on display as-is.

The first year I bought mums at Costco I didn’t get there until early October and I was worried they’d be sold out, but that wasn’t the case — and I learned that they get restocked regularly. Best of all, you can’t beat the price. At just $16.99 for a 14-inch plant in a nice pot that lasts for months, it’s a great deal, and a lower price than I’ve seen at other grocers, garden stores, and markets.

It’s worth noting that for the most part, the buds are all still tightly closed when you buy the plants, but you can expect them to totally open in about a week and a half to 2 weeks. They’re also snugly wrapped, which makes them easier to transport and fit in the car. After removing the wrapping, all the stems usually fall and open up within a few days.

You’ll want to plan ahead and make space in the car for getting these home. Even though the mums are wrapped, they’re still pretty big, so make sure you have ample space in your car, especially if you’re planning to buy more than one. I’ve been buying them for 4 years, and it still surprises me how much room they take up (I can fit up to two in the trunk of my mid-size SUV without squishing them together).

Costco’s mums are wildly popular, especially the deeper we get into fall, and you can only find them in-store (though they sell smaller ones online). And while the mums are restocked regularly, they sell fast. If you aren’t near a Costco or your local store is sold out, don’t worry! Amazon also sells a four-pack of slightly smaller fall mums for only $6.50 per pot that ships directly to your door. And when all else fails, check your local nursery for the perfect autumn addition!

Find it in stores: Fall Garden Mums 6-Pack, $49.99