6 Front Door Plants for an Inviting Look

The front door garden landscaping sets the tone for a warm welcome that is waiting indoors for visitors. It leads them on from the external environment to the intimate indoor area with a pleasing effect on the eyes. Being a great front door décor element, it shifts the focus to your entrance. So it is important to choose the plants around the front door wisely. You would be glad to find that most of them are low maintenance.

Plants for Front Door Entrance

1. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

This plant is considered to bring good luck and prosperity, according to Feng Shui, when placed beside your entrance. It is a succulent with small, evergreen leaves that are smooth, thick and shiny. Though the color is usually jade green you would also find it in yellow-green hues. Avoid overwatering as it is drought resistant and a little water can go a long way. A moderate amount of direct sunlight is enough for the plant, as it grows in partial to full sun.

2. Lavender Plant (Lavandula)

The soothing violet blossoms of the lavender plant can transform your front door with its color and fragrance. It is a perennial herb that prefers well-drained soil and full sun. Its drought tolerating abilities make it a perfect match for containers placed in a hot and sunny patio. Under optimum conditions, it can reach a height of 4 feet. It also has unique bug and mosquito repelling properties. If you stay in a cold climate, choose a cold-hardy variety. Munstead, phenomenal, and hidcote are some lavenders suitable for colder zones.

3. Bougainvillea

This tropical plant can climb up a trellis or a wall vertically. You can also plant it in hanging pots. If you are growing it as a bush place it on either side of your front door. It makes a rich display of color and can be grown in a topiary form. It thrives in full sun and needs at least 5 hours of sun exposure for a good bloom. Though it tolerates a range of temperatures, those lower than 4.5^oC may damage it. Deeply water the drought tolerant plant every 3-4 weeks. Though this plant can reach up to 30 feet in height, its growth can be kept in check within a few feet with pruning when growing in containers.

4. Areca Palm (Dypsis)

This tall plant looks graceful with its feather-like arched fronds that are made up of several thin leaflets that are yellow-green in color. Being an excellent air purifier it ensures a steady supply of breathable, fresh air. In spring and summer, you need to keep the soil slightly moist while in fall and winter, allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering is a strict no-no. Reaching a height of 6-7 feet, this large plant requires bright, indirect light. It loves the summer (warmer climates, in general) and you need to bring it indoors if the temperature dips below 50°F.

5. ‘Golden Sword’ Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)

This plant derives its name from its 2-inch wide sword-like leaves that have thin and dark green margins with golden yellow centers and curly fibers lining the edges. The spiky shape of the plant looks beautiful at 2-3 feet height with an even spread. You can combine it with bergenia in a container near the front door for summer and fall. Yellow and red twig dogwoods pair well with it in winter. In spring, steal the show by teaming it with lamium and pansies. Though sunny, dry conditions are the best fit, it does tolerate some shade. Being drought tolerant, their water requirement is minimal.

6. Roses (Rosa)

There are only a few plants that that can match the grandeur of roses. The plethora of available colors can make you spoilt for choice. You need to choose a large pot to accommodate the extensive root system of the plant. 8-15 gallon capacity would suit a rose plant of standard size. Roses  in urns beside the front door, along the sides of the walkway leading to your front door, on the entrance steps or the porch would be like walking towards a fairy tale home. It needs at least 6 hours of sun and regular watering to keep the rich, well-draining soil consistently moist as roses are a bit fussy about their care-requirements. But they are completely worth it.

All these statement plants create an impression and a sense of invitation in the minds of your guests. Plants outside your front door also lend an air of positivity to your residence. They can be placed just next to the entryway or frame your front door beautifully. Choose attractive planters, pots and containers to aptly accessorize the greenery.