Your holiday porch or balcony needs these plants
It’s the holiday season, which guarantees festivities and lots of foot traffic through your doorway.
The first thing your guests will see? You guessed it: your front porch or balcony.
Like it or not, these outdoor spaces — big or small — do make an impression. You don’t need a humongous wrap-around porch or balcony to create a special holiday space with impact.
Plus, plants make decorating the front porch or balcony easy.
Whether you’re of the “go big or go home” or “less is more” mentality, your guests will see your decked-out porch or balcony and feel the warm holiday fuzzies.
TOPIARIES
Topiaries are stately eye-catchers. Place one on either side of your front door, and – just like that - you have instant style thanks to their height and structure. Weave in some Christmas lights into your topiaries for festive twinkles.
With so many different shapes, textures, and sizes to choose from, you can let your imagination guide you and enjoy your topiaries year-round.
WREATHS & GARLANDS
(credit: DIY-masters)
Before picking out a wreath for your front door, be sure to measure the width of your door first and subtract 12 inches.
Doing this little math ahead of time will help you choose a wreath that fits perfectly on your door, allowing enough space to get the door open without snagging on the wreath.
For balconies, hang up wreaths and drape garlands on the rails adorned with ornaments and lights.
CHRISTMAS CACTI (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)
A holiday bloomer, the Christmas (Zygo) cactus makes an exotic addition to the entryway. They also make beautiful heirloom gifts — they can live up to 100 years!
Give them bright light and water them only when the top one-third of the soil is dry. Plant them in G&B Organics Palm, Cactus & Citrus Planting Mix, and feed them once a month through fall and winter.
Something to note: Christmas cacti have different needs than other succulents and cacti. They can’t handle direct sun or dryness and require more frequent watering than other cacti do.
LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE
credit: Chatfield Court
Why not bring Christmas outdoors? A living Christmas tree on your porch or balcony will delight your guests even before they enter your home. If this appeals to you, it only makes sense to go all out with tree decorations!
If you need to bring your tree indoors, water it thoroughly first. Place it in a bright location away from any heat vents. Keep your tree inside for no longer than 10-day stretches.
Water only when the top 2 inches of soil is barely damp.
POINSETTIAS (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
It would be a travesty to leave Poinsettias off a Christmas decor list. Poinsettias have become just as iconic as Christmas trees during the holiday season.
Gather a set of Poinsettias to wrap around your porch in that classic red, or make it colorful with multiple hues and patterns. They come in hot pink, cream, white, marbled, speckled, or streaked.
Keep the soil moist, and remove it from decorative wrap before watering. Bring in your Poinsettias on cold nights that drop below 50 degrees.
ROSEMARY CONES
credit: Vignette Design
Your guests will surely appreciate the rosemary's aromatic and invigorating scent as they pass by.
Shaped into cones, they make the most adorable mini trees. Decorate them with lights, ornaments, or a big red ribbon!
Place your rosemary cones in a sunny spot on your porch or balcony, and water them when the top inch of the soil is dry.
CYCLAMEN (Cyclamen persicum)
credit: The Farm in my Yard
With fluttery petals atop slender stems, Cyclamen create the appearance of Christmas fairies in flight. Group them together to present a vivid show of colors in red, white, and pink.
When watering, avoid the leaves and stem. Feed them with half the recommended strength of fertilizer every two weeks when they’re in bloom.
CITRUS TREES
credit: Thou Swell
Citrus trees are the gifts that keep on giving, not only to the beauty of your home but to your health and taste buds! Plus, they bring a unique and cheerful holiday aesthetic on a porch or balcony – especially with Christmas ornaments or red bows!
Citrus trees love acidic and well-draining soil. We recommend G&B Organics Acid Planting Mix and G&B Organics Palm, Cactus & Citrus Planting Mix.
In the winter months, water only when the top 3 inches of the soil is dry.
Be sure to check out our Citrus Guide for in-depth planting tips!
DESIGN TIPS FOR SMALL PORCHES OR BALCONIES
Embrace Simplicity & Symmetry
Pot up your topiaries in identical pots and place them on either side of your entryway to keep things symmetrical. Keeping the design simple and balanced will create the appearance of a larger space.
Plant Size Matters
If you’d like to incorporate shrubs, such as camellias, azaleas, or citrus trees to your porch or balcony, choose dwarf or midsize varieties. Larger plants can overwhelm a small space.