The Best Faux Plants for Your Front Porch
Looking for beautiful faux plants for the front porch? I’ve got you covered with these gorgeous – and realistic – options!
A few years ago, I learned that when it comes to outside plants, I’m largely hopeless. I do a great job of keeping my houseplants alive, and I actually can do okay at plants in the backyard. But front porch plants? Absolutely not.
So, a few years ago I decided to admit defeat and swapped to faux plants only for the front porch. And you know what? I’ve never looked back. I’ve amassed a great collection of gorgeous faux plants for the front porch, and most people can’t tell the difference.
If you’ve struggled to keep your front porch plants live too, faux plants for the front porch can be a total game-changer. The best artificial outdoor plants look incredibly realistic, require zero maintenance, and can instantly boost your curb appeal year-round.
I swap mine out seasonally and it’s always really fun to track down the best options. Currently, I have:
But, I’ve got a whole collection of beautiful options that would work in lots of seasons and for any front porch. So today, let’s get into the best faux plants for your front porch!
The Best Faux Plants for Your Front Porch
- 3′ Faux Cedar Tree – You can’t go wrong with faux cedar trees! I like to use these in tall planters on either side of the door for a symmetrical setup that works year-round (especially in winter when everything else looks a little sad).
- Yellow Flowers (Bundle of 8) – These are perfect for adding a cheerful pop of color in the spring or summer. I put all of the bundles in one planter for a full, layered look that doesn’t feel sparse or obviously fake. I have these in multiple colors!
- 24″ Ball-shaped Topiary (2-Pack) – Topiaries are a great “set it and forget it” option. They instantly make your porch feel more polished, and these are great if you want something structured without having to think too hard about arranging anything.
- 28″ Bougainvillea (2-Pack) – If you want something bold and a little more dramatic, these are so pretty. The color really stands out from the street, which makes them great for boosting curb appeal without doing anything complicated.
- 28″ Peperomia Plant – This one is a bit more subtle and greenery-focused, which I always appreciate when everything else feels too bright. It’s a good option for mixing in with florals to balance things out.
- 3′ Faux Hydrangea Trees (Set of 2) – These feel very “classic Southern porch” to me in the best way. Hydrangeas always look high-end, and having them in tree form makes them feel a little more elevated than your typical planter filler.
- 3′ Croton Tree – If you like a mix of colors without going full floral, this is a great option. The variegated leaves add interest and texture, especially in late summer and early fall.
- Blue Faux Flowers (Bundle of 20) – These are gorgeous if you want something a little different than the usual pinks and yellows. Blue can feel really fresh on a front porch, especially paired with white planters or a neutral door.
- Faux Geraniums (Bundle of 6) – These are about as classic as it gets for front porch planters. If you want that traditional, welcoming look, you really can’t go wrong with geraniums.
- Faux Morning Glory (Bundle of 12) – These are gorgeous and I have this exact bundle on my porch right now. I’ve purchased them in white before too, and they were one of the most popular things I shared all last summer!
- Light Pink Faux Flowers (Bundle of 20) – These are a little softer and more subtle than brighter florals, which makes them really versatile. They work beautifully in spring but don’t feel out of place heading into summer either.
- 3′ Cypress Tree – Another great option for symmetry by your front door. Cypress trees feel just a little more relaxed than cedar, so they’re nice if you want something structured but not too formal.
- 45″ Ferns (Set of 2) – Ferns are one of my go-to options for filling space quickly. They add a ton of texture and look especially good on wider porches or in bigger planters.
How to Make Faux Front Porch Plants Look Real
One reason a lot of people hesitate to add faux plants to the front porch is because they’re worried they’ll look fake. Which – fair! If they aren’t styled properly, artificial porch plants can look really bad!
But thankfully, there a few simple tricks you can use to make faux plants look really realistic on your porch.
A great example of mixing a faux plant (the big fern) with a real one!
- Don’t ever use the “pot” they come in. Some faux trees and bushes come “pre-planted” in a small pot. Don’t use it! Always place them into something more substantial to help add a realistic touch.
- Always (always!) “plant” them in soil. You can fill the bottom of your planter with cardboard or other filler to reduce the amount of soil you need, but the planter for your faux front porch plants should always have real soil in it.
- Mix in real elements. Sometimes I see people who have gone fully faux in their front yard – including the flower beds! Personally, I think that’s when it often tips the scale into looking fake. Instead, keep simple, easy-to-maintain real plants happening in the yard and flower beds. Only use faux on the porch!
- Avoid overly-shiny leaves. Some of the cheaper faux plants have very shiny leaves and this is a tell-tale sign that they aren’t real!
How to Style Faux Plants on Your Front Porch (By Season)
One of my favorite things about using faux plants for the front porch is how easy it is to switch things up throughout the year. No digging, no replanting, no “why did everything die again?” moments.
Here’s how I like to think about it season by season:
Spring
Spring is when I lean into soft colors and a fresh, airy feel. I usually reach for:
- Light pinks
- Whites
- Soft blues
- Fuller, fluffier florals
This is a great time to mix a few different types of flowers together in one planter. It’s also fun to try pairing florals with something green (like a peperomia or fern) so it doesn’t feel too over-the-top.
Summer
Summer is your moment to go bold. This is when you can pull out:
- Bright pinks
- Yellows
- High-contrast colors
- Larger, fuller arrangements
I honestly usually keep the same plants for spring and summer because I’m lazy, but some day I’d love to have some separate options!
Fall
For fall, I lean into mums, fall hues, and PUMPKINS! Think:
- Muted reds and oranges
- Deep greens
- Leafy or slightly more rustic-looking stems
This is where something like the croton tree really shines. I also am personally very big on filling the porch with pumpkins (also usually fake, so they don’t go moldy!), and I lean heavily into that over greenery.
Winter
Winter is when faux plants really prove their worth. They keep the porch looking great when everything else is dead! Ikeep it super simple:
- Evergreen trees (cedar or cypress)
- Topiaries
- Minimal or no florals
- And, of course, a big ol’ wreath!
A pair of faux trees on either side of the door instantly makes everything feel pulled together, even if the rest of the porch is bare.
If you’re tired of replacing dead plants every season, faux plants for your front porch are one of the easiest ways to create a beautiful, welcoming space with almost no effort.