There are numerous benefits to incorporating plants into your landscape, especially when it comes to improving the appearance of your home. By strategically placing plants near your front door, you can create an inviting and charming ambiance. However, not all plants are suitable for this area, so it’s important to choose wisely. We’ve put together a list of the best front door plants that will enhance your home’s curb appeal. These plants vary in species, each with unique requirements and decorative qualities. While we’ll cover these specifics shortly, there are a few key takeaways to keep in mind. First, incorporating front door plants can significantly increase your property’s value. Second, most of the best front-door plants are compact and ideal for small spaces. Third, these plants are typically grown in containers. Fourth, they often feature bright and colorful flowers. Finally, some front door plants are perennials or woody species, while others are annuals. Our first pick for the best front door plants is the Begonia – a lovely choice that will add a touch of elegance to your home’s exterior.
Begonias are a great choice for those looking for a front-door plant. They are also widely popular in the US due to their beautiful flowers. The type of begonia you have, annual or perennial, depends on the region you live in. In hardiness zones 8 and above, you can enjoy begonias throughout the year. But if you live in colder regions, you’ll need to grow them as annuals. Begonias are known for their bright blooms and unique waxy foliage.
Moving on to another plant, the Bottlebrush or Fothergilla gardenii is worth mentioning.
Similar to the other types of shrubs listed, the bottlebrush shrub is a compact plant species that does not grow very tall. With proper care, it can be maintained at a size of no more than 6 feet, making it an excellent choice for container gardening near your front entrance. The bottlebrush shrub boasts stunning blooms that come in white or shades of red, and its distinct name is inspired by its texture. Overall, this plant is a great option for those looking to add some color and texture to their garden.
Moving on to the next type of shrub on our list, we have the boxwood, also known as Buxus.
For certain individuals, having flowers as part of their front-door plants is a necessity. However, other avid gardeners recognize that the growth habit and foliage on its own can be visually appealing. The boxwood shrub exemplifies this perfectly. The evergreen leaves are broad, usually bright green and very lively. The most significant benefit of the boxwood shrub is its ability to adapt to trimming and shearing easily. You can take advantage of this feature by shaping it into any design of your choosing as a border for your front door. Even though they don’t bear showy flowers, the versatility of the boxwood shrub makes it an excellent choice to plant.
Another great option is the Butterfly Bush or Buddleja davidii. The flowers on this shrub are stunning, and they attract numerous butterflies, adding a touch of color to your front door. Additionally, the bush is easy to maintain and requires minimal care, making it perfect for busy individuals who still want a beautiful front-door plant.
Designing the front door area goes beyond just making it welcoming for your human guests. It’s also an opportunity to invite native pollinator species by planting the right flowers and plants. The butterfly bush, for instance, is a great option as it attracts beautiful butterflies during its blooming period. However, make sure to choose a non-invasive variety to avoid any unwanted spreading. Another plant that can add color and charm to your front door area is the Caladium, with its vibrant leaves.
The beauty of plants is not only limited to flowers, but also in their foliage. Foliage can bring a variety of colors that are just as vibrant as flowers. One great example of this is the caladium plant, which has large leaves shaped like elephant ears that display multiple colors such as white, pink, red, and green. This striking appearance is perfect for those who want a bold and tropical look for their front door area. The best part? Caladium plants can also be grown indoors. Another foliage plant worth considering is the creeping phlox, scientifically known as Phlox subulata.
In the early spring season, creeping phlox can be a stunning addition to your garden. With its ability to spread and bloom profusely, it creates a carpet-like effect in shades of white, pink, or purple. While it’s commonly used as a ground cover for larger planting beds, it can also be grown in containers, adding a pop of springtime color to your front door design. Another beautiful flowering plant that blooms in the summer is the daylily, also known as Hemerocallis.
Daylilies are a popular choice for residential landscape design due to their numerous advantages. Not only are they low-maintenance and easy to care for, but they also boast stunning large-petaled flowers on long stalks, resulting in a beautiful display. With such beauty and versatility, it’s no surprise that there are countless cultivated varieties of daylilies available. Whether you’re looking for a specific cultivar or simply want to find the perfect one for your front door growing area, there is definitely a daylily out there for you. In addition to daylilies, fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’) is another great perennial species to consider for your landscaping needs.
There are various plants known as fountain grass, but we’re focusing on Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln.’ This type of fountain grass grows in pleasing clumps that are approximately two feet tall and wide, making it a great fit for a moderately-sized container in your front door growing area. It boasts a long blooming period, during which it produces many spike-shaped flower clusters in shades of tan or off-white with a unique texture. Another plant to consider is the geranium, also known as Pelargonium.
Geraniums are a favored choice for container plants due to their beautiful flower clusters and attractive green leaves. These plants are typically grown as annuals and have frilly margin leaves that complement the flowers well. To maximize the beauty of geraniums, consider cultivating them in a hanging basket, which is a popular choice among many gardeners. When hung on a front porch, these hanging baskets can enhance the overall appearance of your front door area.
The giant allium plant is truly unforgettable due to its distinct shape. This type of perennial flowering plant has a thick, green main stem that grows tall and supports a stunning globular cluster of flowers with a captivating purple hue. If you’re looking to add some attention-grabbing plants to your front door area, the giant allium is an excellent choice. Rest assured, your guests will not be able to overlook this unique and fascinating plant. Another great option for bringing some life and color to your outdoor space is the Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana).
Our next pick for front porch plants is ideal for those with shaded porches. Impatiens are annuals that thrive in partial to full shade, making them perfect for areas that receive less sunlight. Despite their limited light requirements, impatiens produce vibrant flowers in shades of pink and other hues. Hanging baskets are a great way to showcase these lovely plants, which can add color and beauty to any front porch.
For most people, the feeling of being at home is not just about what they see but also what they smell. If you’re looking to have a particular scent associated with the entrance to your home, then opting for lavender as your front door plant is a great idea. Not only do lavender plants offer a familiar and enticing fragrance, but they are also visually stunning. Lavender flowers come in a beautiful purple color and are arranged in elongated clusters. The texture they provide is especially striking when there’s a passing breeze. Another option to consider is the marigold, or Tagetes, which is a great addition to any garden.
Marigolds are a popular choice for front-door growing areas due to their unique features. These flowering plants are compact enough to fit into various container sizes, and they can even be grown alongside other complementary plants. Additionally, marigold blooms boast an exceptional color palette that’s hard to find in any other flowering plant. Each year, this annual plant will illuminate your front door with its radiant shades of yellow, orange, and gold.
Similar to the previous item on our list, the Zinnia plant is a well-liked annual plant that can be grown in almost any location due to its small size. Zinnias typically grow to just a few inches tall, allowing them to be easily planted in small pots. These plants are also known for their vibrant, multicolored flowers that can stay in bloom for an extended period of time throughout the growing season. With a range of colors to choose from, Zinnias are a great addition to any garden or indoor space.
Zinnias are a great option for those who want a variety of colors in their front door garden, as they come in different hues, such as orange, pink, yellow, and purple. To choose the best front-door plants, it’s important to consider the growing conditions and environmental factors of your porch. For covered porches or screened-in porches, plants that prefer partial shade or full shade are often the best choice since these areas receive less sunlight. Meanwhile, choosing smaller species that do well in containers helps prevent overcrowding. When selecting a planter, make sure it provides enough space for your plants to grow and compliments both your house’s aesthetic appeal and the appearance of the plants it holds.