32 Front Door Plants That Will Make Your Entrance Unforgettable

If you’re looking to make a statement with your entrance, hydrangeas are a great option. These show-stopping shrugs have massive blooms and serve up gorgeous color palettes. To keep them thriving, place them in morning sun with afternoon shade and keep consistent moisture. The best part? They’re perennials, meaning they’ll come back year after year. Plant them in large containers flanking your entrance for instant curb appeal, or let them flourish in border beds near your walkway.

Trying to channel Mediterranean chic? An olive tree (or two) will do the trick. They thrive in containers, making them perfect for framing your entrance. Position them in a sunny, south-facing spot where they can soak up at least six hours of daily sunshine. They’re remarkably low-maintenance, requiring just good drainage and occasional watering. For the most dramatic entrance, opt for varieties like Arbequina or Picholine in oversized terracotta pots.

Coleus is a feast for the eyes and provides you with instant gratification, growing quickly enough to transform your entrance from basic to brilliant in mere weeks. While traditionally shade dwellers, many modern varieties can handle the spotlight of full sun (they’re versatile like that). Plant them in rich, well-draining soil and keep them consistently hydrated. Mix and match varieties in containers for maximum drama, or create a living tapestry along your walkway.

Standing four- to six-feet tall and wide, Gardenia Aimees are the perfect size to make a statement without overwhelming your entrance. These glamorous trees grow lustrous dark green leaves and sweet ivory-white double blooms that perfume the air. Plant them in large containers with acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5) and treat them to regular feedings during growing season. Position them in decorative containers skirting your entrance, and you’ll have the most fragrant welcome in the neighborhood.

Carolina jasmines grow fragrant yellow trumpet-shaped blooms that make their debut in late winter through spring and create a stunning vertical display to frame your entrance. These Southern belles thrive in full sun to partial shade, though they’ll reward you with the most spectacular blooming display when given at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. They’re remarkably low-maintenance once established and can handle both drought and various soil conditions. Train them on a trellis, fence, or arbor near your entrance, where their airy, light appearance will create an enchanting welcome. They’ll even attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your doorstep!

Vera English lavenders are the gold standard—and the most bang for your buck. This heirloom variety is considered one of the best oil-producing lavenders around, (so it’s perfect for those who dream of crafting their own potpourris and sachets). The silvery-green foliage provides year-round interest, and the stunning blooms make their grand entrance in early summer and often encore in early fall if properly pruned. Plant her in well-draining soil where they can bask in full sun and she’ll reward you with intoxicating fragrance and gorgeous blooms.

For those who only wear black, we see you. The Black Magic elephant ear is the sultry statement piece your doorway’s been craving. These tropical beauties grow massive heart-shaped leaves in a deep purple-black hue, growing up to six feet tall with individual leaves stretching two to threefeet in length. They’re partial to full shade, making them perfect for trickier, less sunny areas. Black Magic elephant ears love consistently moist soil and high humidity. In colder climates you’ll need to bring them indoors for winter or dig up the bulbs for storage. But don’t let that deter you —their bold foliage creates such a stunning backdrop that you’ll find yourself wondering how your entrance ever looked complete without them.

The Majesty Palm brings resort-style glamour while being surprisingly adaptable. These elegant green plants can reach impressive heights that make a grand entrance that say «I summer in Saint-Tropez» (even if you don’t). Place them in large containers where they can receive plenty of bright, indirect light. Majesty palms need consistent moisture but hate wet feet, so proper drainage is essential. Water them when the top inch of soil feels dry, which might mean once or twice weekly depending on your climate.

Add some cheerful charm to your entrance with Black Eyed Susans (that are simply irresistible to humans and pollinators alike). They flaunt daisy-like blooms in bright yellow with those distinctive dark center disks that give them their name. They’re drought-resistant once established, deer-resistant, and absolutely adore attracting butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds to your doorstep. Plus, they’re prolific self-seeders, meaning they’ll multiply gracefully over time, creating a more abundant display each year. For the most dramatic entrance, plant them in groups where they can spread their sunny cheer. Just remember to keep them in full sun and deadhead regularly to keep the blooms coming, though feel free to leave some late-season flowers to feed your local birds

Creeping Jenny offers a stunning carpet of coin-shaped leaves that transforms from chartreuse to gold when kissed by sunlight.  This versatile ground cover creates a lush, flowing backdrop that softens hardscaping and adds instant polish to your entrance. Position them 12 to 15 inches apart in well-draining, consistently moist soil where they can weave their magic. They pair beautifully with roses and taller perennials, or you can let them cascade over container edges or use them to create living carpets beneath spring bulbs.

The Areca Palm delivers a luxe oasis vibe with clusters of lush, feathery fonds. Plant these beauties in well-draining soil where they can bask in bright, filtered sunlight and space them three to six feet apart if you’re creating that dreamy hedge-like effect. They are are surprisingly low-fuss but do have a few non-negotiables: consistently moist (never waterlogged) soil and regular feeding during the growing season. In warmer climates, they’re absolute perfection, though they might show some winter wear on their leaf tips (nothing a quick trim can’t fix).

A lemon tree brings instant Italian villa vibes to your home and are the perfect statement piece for your doorway. Position your tree where it can soak up six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily and place it in well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Lemon trees go beyond mere aesthetics by symbolizing prosperity and good health while providing a refreshing citrus fragrance. But, they won’t tolerate cold temperatures below 50°F, so if you’re in a cooler climate, plan to bring them indoors for winter.

Tulips bring both classic charm and bold drama to your doorstep (in every color imaginable), blooming in waves from early spring through May. For the most spectacular entrance display, plant your tulips in fall when soil temperatures drop below 60°F. Place them in well-draining soil where they’ll receive full sun or partial shade. Plant bulbs five- to seven-inches deep and four- to five-inches apart, always pointing their tips upward. For extra insurance against rot in heavy soils, add a layer of sharp sand or grit at the base of your planting hole. Position them in groups near your entrance where their vibrant colors can create that perfect welcome moment.

Tuscan Rosemary is as useful as it is beautiful. In the kitchen, its needle-like leaves can elevate anything from roasted potatoes to grilled meats. But beyond its culinary prowess, it’s also a natural moth repellent and its essential oil can be used in homemade cleaning products. Plant this overachiever in full sun with well-draining soil, and it’ll reward you with year-round structure and multiple blooming cycles. 

Nature’s exclamation point! These statuesque beauties thrive in full sun and well-drained soil—follow that and they’ll reward you with year-round blue-green foliage that adds instant sophistication to your entrance. Growing up to three feet per year, they’ll quickly create that statement columnar silhouette you’ve always dreamed of.

For some serious flower power, peony bushes are your girl. They flaunt big, fragrant blooms and can live for over 100 years. They’re sun-seekers and are particular about their planting depth—plant the eyes (those little pink growth buds) no more than two inches below soil level, and give each bush enough personal space (three to four feet), but other than that, they’re pretty low-maintenance. No constant watering, no fussy pruning, and they actually prefer to be left alone. Come spring, they will unfurl their petals and stop visitors in their tracks.

Red Geraniums are classic and confident. They flaunt their cherry-red flowers from late spring through early fall and need six to eight hours of sunlight daily to keep their blooms coming strong. They’re super adaptable, thriving in both containers and garden beds. Keep the soil consistently moist—a good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry.

American boxwood shrubs sport an elegant oval shape that’s perfect for creating sophisticated hedges or serving as a dramatic focal point for your entrance. They prefer partial shade, especially in areas with intense afternoon sun. Plant them in well-draining soil enriched with organic matter, and keep the pH between 6.5 and 7.5 for optimal growth. Water them deeply once or twice a week, focusing on the roots rather than the foliage. Apply a slow-release fertilizer in spring to promote healthy growth, and maintain a two- to three-inch layer of mulch to keep roots cool and moist. American boxwoods handle pruning like a champ, but they prefer their trims in early spring or during the growing season. In winter, consider wrapping young shrubs in burlap to protect them from harsh winds and heavy snow.

Begonias are gorgeous, low-maintenance, and self-cleaning. Plant them in rich, well-draining soil when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F, and they’ll reward you with continuous blooms throughout summer and early fall. They work wonderfully in containers, hanging baskets, or as bedding plants.