Porch plants to the rescue for a small front porch that needed a little curb appeal. And a DIY planter idea for good measure!
The weather has been up and down in Atlanta lately. But spring is officially here and I’m hoping that temperatures will start warming up for good soon. So, I put together a quick (and very easy) front porch makeover that really just involves some porch plants, new planters, and a new doormat.
Sometimes the simplest updates are the best ones. And being as though this porch update only took me an hour to complete, it’s one of the fastest makeovers I’ve ever done too.
Click through to see how it all came together. And get the tutorial for those DIY terra cotta totem planters in the photo.
One of the things that made this makeover so easy is that I was able to pick up everything needed for the project in one spot!
I just went to my local plant nursery, picked up the plants I liked, grabbed some potting soil (and a few extra planters – I already had some of them), and was ready to get started.
Here are the exact plant names, in case it’s helpful.
They’re all from the plant brand First Editions® collection.
- Crimson Fire (the purple leaf plant that I used in the totem planters)
- Cinnamon Girl (the smaller plants that I used in the ceramic plant stand planters and the oblong terra cotta planters on the second step)
- Vintage Jade (the larger shrubs in the woven planters).
Once I arrived at the house, I swept all of the steps to get rid of any dirt, leaves, etc and planned out where I wanted everything to go.
Usually that involves just plopping everything down – planters and plants – in the area to see the different heights together and get a visual before planting anything.
After deciding on the basic layout (it’s a small space, so there wasn’t a ton of planning involved), I planted everything in the pots and started arranging. Easy as can be.
How to Make Totem Terracotta Planters
This idea couldn’t be any easier. All you need are 2 terracotta pots that are the same size and height. I picked mine up at a local plant nursery, and found that the best option is one that is a bit rounded, like mine, without a top lip.
Turn one pot over (upside-down) and then place the second one on top of the first one, right-side up, with the plant already inside.
The weight of top pot should press down enough on the bottom one to keep it securely in place.
But if you’re concerned about it toppling over, you can use liquid nails or something similar to bond the two pieces together.
And in case you were wondering… the holes for the two pots should line up pretty well stacked this way too, so they should allow for proper drainage of water too. But you could always add a small piece of pipe or hose that goes through both holes (hole from bottom of the top planter and top of the bottom planter) to make sure the water drains down instead of out through the middle.
How to Pick Out the Right Plants for Your Project
When picking out plants, there are always three things I think about: color, texture, and size.
I typically go for a variety of all three of these things – so I pick groupings of plants that have varying colors, textures, and sizes / heights, etc. It works really well because it means I’m always thinking about how the plants will look together in a space (especially in a small one like this), not just individually.
In my mind, variety is key – BUT all of the plants should have a cohesive feel when grouped together. And that’s kind of my recipe for success with plants.
Other than that, I strongly believe that picking out really cool planters will go a long way in making you happy with the end result.
For this project, I followed the same rule for planters as I did for the plants – choosing a variety of textures, colors, and sizes that would work well for the space AND the plants themselves.
Like this post? Here are more plant related posts you might like:
- easy, effective plant propagation (without spending any money)
- 23 cute planters that are totally DIYable
- how to clean out a candle jar (and make it a planter)
What are you thinking about planting this spring? Let me know in the comments below.
SaveSave
101 comments | Click here to reply
I’m absolutely going to give this a try! I’m a grad student and recently developed a plant obsession. I can’t wait to build my own (indoor) garden!
Cole[…] make it all happen. And because I’m super familiar with their plants, especially after our last project together, it seemed like a no-brainer to partner up again. This time around, I used hearty plants […]
12 Rooms in 12 Months: Our Balcony Progress + How to Add Privacy Outdoors on a Budget - Paper and StitchTweeted 🙂
Anastasia– https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/998662013399154688
I’d love to plant some tomatoes 🙂 Maybe some other useful things, like herbs too! 🙂
AnastasiaI would love to plant hens and chics along with a bleeding heart.
TerryTweeted-https://twitter.com/birdiebee52/status/998408901908299776
TerryI’m thinking about some plants that mosquito’s don’t like. Even with bug spray, I still get attacked!
Susan ChristyTweeted https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/998025660948996096
Barbara MontagI am planting lots of tomatoes, bell peppers jalapenos & onions for making salsa.
Barbara Montagthank you
tweeted
Thomas Murphyhttps://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/998022032800538625
I want to plate Tulips.
Thomas Murphyhttps://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/997994981619974144
VincentWe thinking about planting tomatoes, hydrangeas, verbena and peonies.
VincentI tweeted: https://twitter.com/sarabird26/status/997882280642338816
sarah kI would really like to get some potted jasmine or honeysuckle this year.
sarah khttps://twitter.com/smethvin/status/997832639032815617
stella methvinI added wild flowers, but they did not do well. I have a small veggie garden that is doing awesome though and I would like some gardenias because my Hubs LOVES the way they smell.
stella methvinMy daughters and I love getting our garden ready. We’re really big on our herbs and love our hydrangeas and peonies!
DonnaMy tweet! https://twitter.com/krisgan07/status/997639640772378624
ChrissyWe are planning to actually put in landscaping around the front of our house this year! I’m not sure yet what we are putting in flower wise but definitely a few shrubs as well. I need to make up my mind ASAP though because the plan is to get it done next week!
ChrissyI’m super excited for my blueberry bush
Juliehttps://twitter.com/mjamestribe19/status/997581060488814593
MichelI really love our peonies so I’m excited to see those blossom as well as our vegetable and herb garden!!
Michelhttps://twitter.com/SeymaShabbir/status/997328028198895616
Seyma BennettI am thinking about planting Tulips. We grow Roses but I would love to have a variety of colors.
Seyma Bennetttweeted https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/997249724234088448
shelly petersoncshell090869 at aol dot com
I would like to plant some tomatoes and cucumbers.
shelly petersoncshell090869 at aol dot com
I am planting some fresh herbs this summer along with some potted tomatoes, jalapeno peppers and habanero peppers. I love to use fresh herbs in cooking and I dry some of them, too.
BusyWorkingMamaTweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/997156918404632577
ElleI will definitely be planting different varieties & sizes of tomatoes as well as some herbs.
ElleI’m super excited for my rose garden as well as my may apples and fire pinks. We’re getting our vegetable and our herb garden ready so we’re definitely excited for those as well 🙂
SertI tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/997120263505375232
Angie LillyWe have already planted for this spring! We planted Black-eyed Susan, Lantana, Sage, Basil, Dill, Lemon Thyme, Rosemary, Zinnias, SuperBells, Fern-leaf Lavender, and Nasturtiums! I love it!
Angie Lillytweeted
Ellie Wrighthttps://twitter.com/eswright18/status/996984521953239040
I’m excited to grow various peppers and herbs.
Ellie Wrighthttps://twitter.com/lindilala/status/996805230682693632
lindaI’m super excited for my zucchini plants
lindaYour porch looks lovely. It inspires me to do my front porch now.
Laine Dailey-PapkeI just bought an acre with the intent of growing my own food and herbs.
I plan on adding more aloe plants to my side yard along with cherry and huckleberry trees across the back. Then some lillies, marigolds, lavender and daisies in the long flower bed across the front of the house, with the greens already there, for color. I already have a Halo tree, a loquat tree and some peach trees. Last year I planted a nectarine tree so I now want to add avocado, pears, lemons, limes & peaches. Off the front side, I plan on having a raised bed of salad vegetables, preventing anyone from driving on my septic field. (Add a rain barrel and a compost bin.). Done!
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/996466598385999874
Susan SmithThis Spring I plan on planting peppers, carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Susan SmithI love what the plants did to the overall look!
Lindsay Eidahltweeted: https://twitter.com/mycreativedays/status/996054859819438080
tweeted: https://twitter.com/tinawoo21/status/994068970683715584
Tina WWe will be doing our usual backyard vegetable garden but this year I also want to add some daylilies and lavender in the front yard.
Tina Whttps://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/993316548751314944
Janice CooperI would love to plant a garden with tomatoes and cucumbers. I also love planting flowers. I will probably plant some petunias, rose bushes and geraniums.
Janice CooperI want to plant my first rose bush or two.
RosieI posted a tweet: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/993256444827979776.
JeffreyMy wife picks out all the annuals and perennials, I just help plant them. We usually get a fair amount of ornamental grasses to put around the pool. She also puts together some pots for around the patio with various annual flowers.
JeffreyI would like to plant some tomatoes.
Patricia Collettihttps://twitter.com/patricia121417/status/992850606648897539?s=19
Pqcolletti@gmail
Patricia Collettihttps://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/992751370011791360
kathy PersonsI want to plant some baby\s breath
kathy PersonsLove your porch plants! I
Judy MTweeted https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/990378244955361282
Cheryl BI am looking forward to planting Gerbera Daisies and geraniums this year.
Cheryl BTweet
Cynthia Chttps://twitter.com/clc408/status/990252675760558080
I will be planting some impatiens and begonias in my flower garden this spring.
Cynthia Ctweet
Kelly Dhttps://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/990229694720167937
I would like to plant some blueberries bushes and tomatoes.
Kelly Dhttps://twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/989945332560814081?s=20
Rebecca WI ready love how your terra cotta planter turned out! My girls and I love to plant flowers in the spring. I’d like to grow some sunflowers and zinnias! I’m also hoping to grow some tomatoes in pots for salsa!
Rebecca WMy tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/989272046902312961
NatalieThis spring my plan is to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, lilies and hasta.
Nataliemy tweet – https://twitter.com/myway070/status/989230617899352064
heatherI am going to plant some lilacs and also tons of potted flowers of every kinds they are so wonderful and I so love this time of year.
heathertweet—https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/989122325705617408
mami2jcnI’d like to plant cucumbers.
mami2jcntweet – https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/988946901989933056
Jessie C.I would love some hydrangea passion and snowball bush.
Jessie C.tcarolinep at gmail dot com
I am going to plant some marigolds around my house. I also need to mulch around my trees.
Jessica Tohttps://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/988470401192923136
latanyaBeautiful planters.
latanyaWe are planting some hostas
We’re apartment dwellers, so my wish list includes lost of pretty houseplants,
ErikaTweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/987488675691941889
Margaret SmithThanks again.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
We’ll be planting some sun flowers, roses, daisy’s, day lilies, herbs and we also like planing a garden with tomato’s, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and beans.
Margaret SmithThanks so much.
rickpeggysmith(at)aol(dot)com
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/986759976462012416
RachelThis spring I plan on planting basil, thyme, mint, cilantro, rosemary, tomatoes and cucumbers.
RachelHi, the way you arrange the plant is amazing. Your porch is looking awesome. We can also engage our kids in plantation, they can learn lots of things from plantation and gardening. Keep posting!
janeTweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/986418750512664576
MadelineHi, we’re thinking about growing watermelon this spring since my mother-in-law gave me some seeds.
Madelinehttps://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/986042575294431232
Will GI might plant tomatoes.
Will Ghttps://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/985869265231339520
OFGWe planted a bunch of pepper plants and a strawberry patch.
OFGWe’re planning on planting some beautiful hydrangeas!
TKI tweeted
Carolsuehttps://twitter.com/MsCarolsueA/status/985403962571481088
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
I am going to plant tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapenos and strawberries
Carolsuedigicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
I love that you used such an interesting combination of foliage colors and textures. Elegant and inspiring,
Nancy K.I have two planter beds that usually plant veggies in this year we are trying rhubarb and artichokes! I would also love to add some pots by front door with fun pops of color!
JanayI really love decorating with plants
The pink pineapplehttps://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/
I live in a basement apartment, so I don’t have much space. I usually do flowers on the stairs that look pretty + welcoming when I’m walking home and see them. I love this idea and looking forward to try something new to replace my plastic planters!
Rachelmy tweet https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/983959763053506565
Lisa Brownjslbrown2009 at aol dot com
I will be planting some ivy for a trellis, a rose bush, and planting for my garden: tomatoes and zucchini.
Lisa Brownjslbrown2009 at aol dot com
Oh my goodness, Cori. What a sweet idea to remember your furry family member. I love that idea.
BrittniWe want to plant something to remember our kitty that passed away in February.
coriLove this! I really got into plants about 4 years ago. I went from 0 to about 30 house plants in less than a month’s time. Ha!! But I love it and them. I plan on getting more perennials for outside this year. It’s amazing how they come back each year.
SarahThis spring we are creating a flower and food garden in our backyard! I have a post on what we are planting here: http://www.casalibrablog.com/2018/03/garden-planning.html
Thank you for the inspiration to stack terracotta pots! Yesterday I actually picked up two terracotta pots to put on each side of the door, but they still looked kind of small, so I think I might be going back to get two more to stack them and make a bigger impact. I think I want to plant Crimson Fire like yours, that is beautiful.
I’m actually thinking of painting our door. I love the way your door looks, what color of paint did you use?
FeliciaLove how plants can completely change a space!
xx, Daeyz
Daeyzhttp://www.daeyz.com
Love the stacked urns. I am moving shortly from Montana to North Carolina and into a rental house for a year. So I really can’t plant anything in the ground. Containers will be used to the max! Can’t wait to get back to Zone 7
Judy HThanks Michelle. This isn’t actually my porch, but it was fun to give this one a makeover. It’s kind of amazing what a few plants can do!
BrittniWhat a beautiful combination of plants, your porch looks fantastic!
Michellehttps://www.makeandmess.com/