If you’re thinking about beautifying your front porch with plants, then this article is for you. Read on for tips to choose the best plants for your porch. Here are a few suggestions: Begonias, Ferns, Lantana, and Coleus. You can also try a potted plant for your porch, or grow them in a garden bed. Whatever you choose, your porch will look beautiful.
Lantana
Among the best plants for front porches, lantanas are hardy, low-maintenance plants that need little care. They are easy to maintain, even in containers. However, you may need to prune a few of the plant’s shoots and deadhead spent flower blooms to keep the plant looking healthy. Lantanas also do well in hanging baskets.
When choosing plants for your front porch, consider the type of sunlight that your plant gets. Lantanas require bright light and need full sun for six hours daily. They can grow well in hanging baskets or pots, but require lots of water during the initial establishment period. Once established, lantanas are drought-tolerant, and will even tolerate high humidity. The best way to care for your lantana is to water it regularly, but not too much, as overwatering can cause root rot.
Lantanas are great for front porches because of their low-maintenance nature and colorful flowers. These plants can continue flowering well into November. Lantanas need six hours of sunlight a day to thrive, but less light will produce fewer flowers. They thrive in zones eight through eleven. They are low maintenance and low-maintenance, and will grow well in front porch planters.
Begonias
The best plant for your front porch can be a Begonia. Begonias are easy-to-care-for plants that tolerate full and partial shade. These colorful plants provide color and texture to any space and can be mixed with other trailing plants or other varieties of begonias. Double begonias, for example, are compact bushy plants that feature large flowers. They also grow upright. Begonias are great for front porch gardens because of their versatility and color.
To keep begonias healthy, you should fertilize them monthly with a general-purpose fertilizer with an equal mix of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Begonias should receive regular watering to prevent the onset of fungal leaf diseases. Don’t overwater them, as this can cause root rot. You can stake taller varieties to keep them from drooping over.
Begonias are easy-to-care-for and are incredibly durable. They can handle a bit of sun each day but prefer filtered light. Certain varieties can handle more direct sunlight. Wax and cane begonias have smaller leaves and flowers. When used in potted arrangements, these plants can continue to bloom well into winter. But if you’re unsure about their ability to withstand full sunlight, you can plant them in a sunny window.
Coleus
To create a front porch planter, you can take cuttings of coleus and place them in water. Cut them just above the leaf node. Carefully pinch off the stem and root system. Then, move the cutting to a pot or a window sill with filtered sunlight. Plants can tolerate neglect and wilting, but they will bounce back after a day’s watering.
For best results, coleus plants should be planted in a pot with drainage holes and soil that is consistently moist. Coleus do not like standing water, so proper drainage is important. A potting mix that is slightly acidic or neutral is recommended. Avoid using cedar mulch, though, because cedar mulch can be toxic to the plant. Never touch the stems with mulch, as it can cause rot and hide slugs.
Coleus are versatile plants that are best planted in sunny, sheltered areas with good drainage. These plants require very little water, and their colorful foliage will brighten up any outdoor space. You can buy individual plants or plant them in large pots. You can also buy them ready-made in pots and containers to make your front porch planter even easier to maintain. And remember, coleus will grow even in pots if they get enough sunlight and adequate watering.
Ferns
If you want a plant that will add a lush green carpet to your front porch, consider buying one of the best ferns for front porch. There are several species, but two stand out as best choices: Kimberly Queen Fern and Boston Fern. These ferns can be grown in plant stands or hanging baskets. They have weeping fronds, so you’ll want to choose a plant that gets indirect light.
The best way to care for ferns is to give them consistent water. Ferns are native to the tropics, which have humid air, abundant rainfall, and regular moisture. While these conditions are not ideal for most ferns, they can acclimatize to a bit more light if you give them a chance. When watering ferns outdoors, make sure to take the amount of rainfall in your area into account.
Another important fact about ferns: they can survive in cold temperatures. They require less water than most plants, so be careful not to overwater them. Ferns will die if the water is too cold or too hot. They are able to survive the winter when they are protected from the cold, but you need to keep them out of harm’s way before winter sets in. Ferns can handle light frost but cannot tolerate a hard frost.
Hydrangeas
If you’re looking for a plant that will add curb appeal to your front porch, consider hydrangeas. They look gorgeous in containers and can be planted in pots that complement your home. Make sure the container is large enough to be seen from the street. This shrub will also blend well with other plants and landscaping. Read on to learn more about hydrangea care. We’ve listed some of our favorite types of hydrangeas.
Hydrangeas are easy to grow and can be found in a variety of sizes, from three inches to over 15 feet tall. They can tolerate shade, although they grow faster in full sun. Once they mature, they’ll likely take over the front-of-the-house landscaping. You can choose from a variety that matches your home’s architectural style, or you can choose a single large hydrangea.
You can treat hydrangeas as annuals in their native climate, but if you live in a climate where winter frosts are frequent, make sure they’re zoned accordingly. If your porch receives direct sunlight throughout the day, hydrangeas are best suited for this area. If you live in a warm climate, they can survive harsh winters if you water them regularly. If your porch is in a cooler region, you may want to move your hydrangea indoors to avoid the cold.
Verbenas
Verbenas are one of the easiest plants to grow, but they can suffer from a few pests and diseases. These plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, which is caused by tiny fungi that attack the foliage. It can be treated with a horsetail decoction or sulfur. Late blight is another common problem affecting hybrid verbenas. Treatment for late blight involves cutting and burning the affected parts.
Perennial Verbenas produce flowers that are about five to six millimeters in diameter. These flowers fit in perfectly with a naturalistic garden and provide a lovely contrast. Annual Verbenas, on the other hand, are much more colorful. You can even find bicolored varieties and bicolored hybrids. Another option is the lemon verbena, which has a delicate white bloom.
Hybrid Verbenas are the most popular of the two types. Hybrid Verbenas feature leaf shapes that are opposite and toothed. Their petals are attractive and are easily distinguishable from those of traditional verbenas. These plants need full sunlight for optimal growth. A full-sun location and a cool ground temperature are essential for successful plant care. Verbenas are best for sunny, warm spots, as they require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Geraniums
There are many reasons to grow geraniums on your front porch. In addition to their bright colors, geraniums also make a great centerpiece for any gathering. They were first discovered in South Africa and were later introduced to the United States by Thomas Jefferson. Geraniums were once only available from cuttings and were passed down through family members. This makes it all the more important to keep them well-maintained.
Choose a plant that gets good morning sunlight. Hanging geraniums need good drainage, so make sure your plant has plenty of it. Alternatively, you can choose an upright variety and train it into a standard or tree form. Ivy geraniums are also great for this. They cascade and look great when planted in a hanging basket. Ensure that the soil has a hole for drainage.
Scented-leaf geraniums are another great choice for your front porch. These plants have a wide range of scents, and they can be brushed to release the fragrance. These plants are often used for potpourri and sachets, as well as for flavoring tea. They make great houseplants because they are so fragrant and come in many different varieties. If you want to plant scented geraniums, plant them in early spring. If you’re unsure of their scent, check them out in person. You’ll be surprised at how beautiful they are.
Pentas
A perennial plant, Pentas look fantastic on a porch or in a patio container. They attract hummingbirds, which love the red nectar. They thrive in hot, sunny climates and need ample water. Plants should be planted 18 to 24 inches apart and should receive 6 hours of sunlight per day. Once established, they can be pruned if some branches are too tall.
This shrub can reach a height of 3-4 feet and has clusters of star-shaped flowers. If planted in the ground, pentas prefers moist soil and receives one to two inches of rainfall per week. However, it may need additional watering in areas that receive little rainfall. They can be difficult to transplant to your front porch, so plant them in a container. Pentas are deer resistant, but will need adequate watering to survive and grow.