Plants by the Front Door: A Guide to Planting and Caring for Your Home

• Mitford Rakib
• April 23, 2024
• container gardening, Featured, Plant decor, Plants
• 0 Comments

Welcome Home: 12 Beautiful Plants to Help You Upstage Your Front Door Decorations

The front door for your home is much more than a port but rather it is the first experience your guests have as they wait for your hospitality. So then, why have a dull, ordinary one when you can opt out for a memorable one? Making a front door more appealing is possible with quite simple steps one can take – just decorating it with flowers is already enough in many cases. They are not only colorful but also create an intimate and comfortable environment where people wish to stay longer, to soak up and almost forget about the troubles of everyday life. In this guide, we will explore the 12 best plants that you can choose to be planted in your front door and also we will provide you with everything you want to ensure that they are fully enjoyed.

Lavender:

Lavender is a healing and balmy herb which is famous for its scent and soothing qualities. With slimmest stems decorated with the shrubby, spike-like flowers, lavender intrigues the senses of gardeners and makes gardens look sophisticated and classy. Lavender, the most commonly grown species, likes moderately dry soil with a pH value of approximately 7.0 (slightly alkaline) and grows best in full sun.

• Species: Lavandula angustifolia, Lavandula stoechas, etc.
• Colors: Shades of purple, blue, and white.
• Season: Lavender typically blooms from late spring to early summer.
• Growth: Compact shrub with fragrant foliage and flowers.
• Soil Composition: Well-draining soil with a slightly alkaline pH.
• Care: Place in full sun and water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Rosemary:

Rosemary is the aptly chosen herb of choice. It has a needle-like shape and a sturdy stem. The yard focal point is a large green leaf with year-round green foliage, which provides seasonal colors to the garden; spring releases a purple flower, which is a bit of color around. Being Rosemary, a sandy soil lover, the sunlight required for this kind of plant should be full.

• Colors: Deep green foliage with occasional blue flowers.
• Season: Blooms in spring and sporadically throughout the year.
• Growth: Woody perennial herb with aromatic leaves.
• Soil Composition: Well-drained soil with good aeration.
• Care: Requires full sun and infrequent watering, as it is drought-tolerant once established.

Boxwood:

The Boxwood is an evergreen variety of bush celebrated for the dense nature of their foliage and the many ways that they can be used in landscaping. The best part when you plant boxwood amongst the front door is that you get rich forest green leaf carpets around your door. Due to its slow growth and negligence in maintenance.

• Species: Buxus sempervirens, Buxus microphylla, etc.
• Colors: Dark green foliage.
• Season: Evergreen, providing year-round interest.
• Growth: Slow-growing shrub with dense foliage.
• Soil Composition: Moist, well-draining soil.
• Care: Prefers partial shade to full sun and regular watering during dry spells.

Ferns:

Ferns are admired for their delicate feathery fronds with the appeal of deep woods and will turn your garden with a unique and romantic look. Ferns dislike strong sunlight, especially the sensitive types, and prefer to grow in moist, humid conditions in both ground and containers with excellent drainage. Indirect light or dappled shade are their go-to options.

• Colors: Shades of green.
• Season: Depending on the species, ferns can be evergreen or deciduous.
• Growth: Varies by species, but most ferns have delicate, feathery foliage.
• Soil Composition: Moist, rich soil with good drainage.
• Care: Keep soil consistently moist and provide indirect light or dappled shade.

Geranium:

The geraniums are colorful flowering plants appreciated for their impressive and long-standing color. Geraniums have become very popular. Varying colors from red, pink, white and purple serve as great background when it comes to geraniums adornments in front doors. These small perennials are good at growing in soil with good drainage and high level direct sunlight.

• Colors: Assorted colors including red, pink, white, and purple.
• Season: Blooms throughout the growing season, from spring to fall.
• Growth: Compact perennial with colorful flowers.
• Soil Composition: Well-draining soil with moderate fertility.
• Care: Requires full sun and regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Salvia:

The Salvia genus which is composed of herbaceous perennial plants, though known for their distinctive spikes of tubular flowers are also valued for their attractiveness. Salvias are red, purple, and white with beautiful accents of colors. They bring the rainbow of this small garden in front of your home. These adaptable plants don’t mind the sun but have the sign point that they need adequately drained soil and occasionally deep watering.

• Colors: Various shades of blue, purple, red, and white.
• Season: Depending on the species, salvia can bloom from spring to fall.
• Growth: Herbaceous perennial with spikes of tubular flowers.
• Soil Composition: Well-draining soil with moderate moisture retention.
• Care: Plant in full sun and water deeply but infrequently, especially during hot weather.

Heuchera:

Among stones, a Heulera, or also known as coral bell, is the one being favored because of its amazing foliage which can be a green to a purple color and even could be variegated. Very light flowers contribute to a magical setting but the leaves turn on all the lights. Huechera prefer the soil which is neither dry nor flooded and in shady areas so they are the right choice for the section near the doorway.

• Colors: Range from green to purple, with some varieties featuring variegated foliage.
• Season: Typically blooms in spring with small, delicate flowers.
• Growth: Herbaceous perennial with attractive foliage.
• Soil Composition: Well-draining soil with organic matter.
• Care: Thrives in partial shade and requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist.

Coleus:

Coleus is a widespread annual of high demand for its colorful foliage, it is shade hardy, and it only grows far. During hot summers and cold winters, this plant has many shades from fiery reds and pinks to cool blues and greens adorning any patio in front of the local store. These fast growing plants are soil- and moisture lovers looking for shade and half shade.

• Colors: Vibrant hues of red, pink, purple, green, and yellow.
• Season: Grown as an annual in most climates, but can be overwintered indoors in colder areas.
• Growth: Fast-growing annual with colorful foliage.
• Soil Composition: Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
• Care: Prefers partial shade to full shade and regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist.

Petunia:

Besides petunias being trumpet-shaped with annual habit and a wide color range they are also popular among home gardeners. Even though petunias fall down from hanging baskets or planted in beds, they will still produce brilliant colors for your pretty flower bed next to your entrance.

• Colors: Wide range of colors including pink, purple, white, and red.
• Season: Annual in most climates, blooming from spring to fall.
• Growth: Low-growing annual with trumpet-shaped flowers.
• Soil Composition: Well-draining soil with good aeration.
• Care: Requires full sun and regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

Coleus:

(Repeat) Coleus is an easy annual plant with intense color leafage and shadows. It is difficult to grow in shade or sunless places. Having those colors in your repertoire from reds and pinks (fiery) to blues and greens (cool), adding coleus to your front porch will brighten up any space.

• Colors: Vibrant hues of red, pink, purple, green, and yellow.
• Season: Grown as an annual in most climates, but can be overwintered indoors in colder areas.
• Growth: Fast-growing annual with colorful foliage.
• Soil Composition: Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
• Care: Prefers partial shade to full shade and regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist.

Hosta:

Hostas often serve as a family favorite with their generous, textured leaves and ability to tolerate low light. The shapes of the hostas vary from completely solid green to variegated patterns incorporating several shades of green and white. In the front garden, these varieties offer endless opportunities.

• Colors: Shades of green, blue, and variegated patterns.
• Season: Blooms in summer with tall spikes of white or lavender flowers.
• Growth: Herbaceous perennial with large, textured leaves.
• Soil Composition: Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter.
• Care: Thrives in partial to full shade and requires consistent moisture to prevent leaf scorch.

Phlox:

Phlox, a pretty and awesome flowering plant, displays bunches of blooming flowers that bring hope to the world and also invites bees and other pollinators. No garden would be complete with its backdrop of delicate shades of pink as lavender and white for the phlox as its bolder colors including red and white. Such plants love sun like a desert while soil has to be well-drained with full sun to the partial shade.

• Colors: Pink, purple, white, and red.
• Season: Blooms in late spring to early summer.
• Growth: Herbaceous perennial with clusters of fragrant flowers.
• Soil Composition: Well-draining soil with moderate fertility.
• Care: Plant in full sun to partial shade and water regularly, especially during dry periods.

Ending Note: 

Each of these plants brings its own unique beauty and character to your front door space, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for all who visit. With proper care and attention, they will thrive and delight you season after season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Q: What are the best plants for planting by the front door?

A: The best plants for planting by the front door are those that thrive in your specific climate and growing conditions. Consider factors such as sunlight exposure, soil type, and maintenance requirements when selecting plants for your front door area.

Q: Are these plants suitable for beginners?

A: Yes, many of the plants featured in this blog post are suitable for beginners. Plants like lavender, rosemary, and boxwood are relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate a variety of growing conditions. However, it’s essential to research each plant’s specific care requirements and provide proper maintenance to ensure their health and vitality.

Q: Can these plants be grown in containers?

A: Yes, most of the plants mentioned in this blog post can be grown in containers. Plants like ferns, geraniums, and petunias thrive in containers and can be placed by the front door to add color and texture to your entryway. Just ensure that the containers have drainage holes and use a high-quality potting mix tailored to each plant’s needs.

Q: How often should I water these plants?

A: The watering frequency for these plants varies depending on factors such as weather conditions, soil type, and plant species. As a general rule, water your plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot, especially for plants like lavender and rosemary that prefer well-draining soil.