--- title: "These Are the Best Plants for Boosting Curb Appeal, According to Real Estate Pros" description: "Real estate agents know which plants appeal to homebuyers, so heed this advice when planting your yard for a quick, top-dollar sale." date: "2025-06-30" modified: "2025-06-30" authors: - name: "Lori Lovely" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/lori-lovely/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/lawn-and-garden/best-plants-for-curb-appeal/" categories: - "Curb Appeal" - "Exterior" - "Landscaping" - "Lawn & Garden" --- # These Are the Best Plants for Boosting Curb Appeal, According to Real Estate Pros ![A modern house with colorful plants in the front for curb appeal.]() *Photo: benedek via Getty Images* First impressions are important when selling your home. “Recent studies in the *Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics* show that good curb appeal can increase the value of a home by up to 7 percent,” says Mike Aziz, co-owner of[ M1 Home Buyers](), a Detroit-based homebuying service. Landscaping’s role in curb appeal creates an emotional reaction from buyers who appreciate the story it tells of the life they want. When searching for greenery to help your yard make the best first impression, consider some of these best plants for curb appeal. ## 1. Hydrangea ![Hydrangeas in front of a house for curb appeal.]() *Photo: Cyndi Monaghan/Moment via Getty Images* Hydrangeas are one of the most popular shrubs among homebuyers: 78 percent of respondents in the OnBuy’s Garden Furniture survey consider them the most desirable plant for a home landscape. These[ low-maintenance](), lush bushes look expensive. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, most with large, showy clusters of white, pink, or blue flowers that bloom from summer through fall. Fast-growing woody shrubs, they can grow up to 5 feet tall, but are amenable to pruning to shape after blooming is done. **Best For:** partial shade, morning sun, specimen plant **Hardiness Zones:** 5-9 ## 2. Magnolia tree ![A blooming magnolia tree in a front yard.]() *Photo: Moelyn Photos/Moment via Getty Images* “Mature trees add serious value, especially in areas with newer construction that lacks established landscaping,” says Wesley Kang, a real estate broker with[ Realtor 1099Cafe](). “[Large trees]() can add $5,000 to $15,000 in perceived value when positioned properly.” “Magnolia trees are stunning accent features,” Aziz says.” A beautiful specimen tree, flowering magnolias are showy and stately, with a hint of southern charm, even in northern climes. **Best For:** full sun, well-drained soil, away from buildings and wind **Hardiness Zones:** 4-10 ## 3. Thuja Green Giant ![A row of tall arborvitae trees in a front yard for curb appeal.]() *Photo: Grace Cary/Moment via Getty Images* This type of arborvitae adds year-round privacy, elegance, and an architectural element to a property—not to mention value. If you’re looking for[ tall plants](), these are fast growers, with up to 5 feet of new growth a year.Their root system is non-invasive and won’t damage the [foundation of a house]() or retaining walls. These evergreens are also long-lived: 50-100 years. Often planted in rows, Thuja Green Giants create a quick, natural barrier. By adapting to many environments and resisting most pests and diseases, the low-maintenance Thuja has endeared itself to home buyers. **Best For:** full sun, partial shade, used as a natural privacy fence **Hardiness Zones:** 5-9 ## 4. Azalea ![Azalea shrubs in bloom in front of house for curb appeal.]() *Photo: Kate Stoupas/Moment via Getty Images* [Azaleas ]()add a pop of vibrant color in the spring with blooms of white, purple, pink, red, yellow, or orange atop dark foliage. Preferring filtered sun and rich, moist, well-draining soil, this[ low-cost, low-maintenance shrub]() can be pruned for shape, size, and structure. If you plan to sell your home in late fall or winter, be sure to plant evergreen azaleas so they still look vibrant when your house goes on the market. **Best For:** filtered sun, partial sun, specimen plant **Hardiness Zones:** 5-9 ## 5. Croton ![A croton shrub growing in a front yard for curb appeal.]() *Photo: Jimmy Dunn/Moment via Getty Images* “Flowers can be beautiful, but in our climate, foliage is the foundation,” states Gary Lanham,[ broker at Gary Lanham Group at Coldwell Banker Realty]() in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Some of the most effective curb appeal plants include crotons, with their vibrant, multicolored leaves.” Considered a perennial evergreen shrub, the tropical croton features boldly colored leaves of yellow, orange, red, and green, available in a number of varieties with differently shaped foliage. Plants can reach 8 feet tall. This frost-tender plant does best in humid climates with warm summer temperatures. Note: that this plant is toxic to humans and animals. **Best For:** full sun, warm and humid environments, specimen plants **Hardiness Zones:** 11-12 ## 6. Fuchsia ![Fuchsia plants in a hanging basket on a porch for curb appeal.]() *Photo: andrew reimer/500px via Getty Images* With its colorful, intricately designed, teardrop-shaped flowers, fuchsia brightens up a shady entry. This delicate beauty in colors of pink, purple, and white drapes over the edges of hanging baskets and[ window boxes]() and blooms all summer for long-lasting curb appeal. Fuschia prefers moist soil, humid conditions, and warm temperatures. Fuchsia is also a heavy feeder and will benefit from regular fertilization. As if their beautiful flowers weren’t reward enough, the plant also attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. **Best For:** shade to partial shade, hanging baskets, window boxes, containers **Hardiness Zones:** 10-11 ## 7. Pride of Barbados ![Pride of Barbados flowers in a front yard for curb appeal.]() *Photo: Joao Roberto Martins Filho/500px via Getty Images* Gardeners in the desert Southwest might consider Pride of Barbados, sometimes called Mexican Bird of Paradise. These showy beauties feature delicate oval leaves and spectacular clusters of orange-yellow-red flowers. Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, Pride of Barbados might go to the ground in winter in the northern reaches of their viability area (Zones 9-11), but will come back in spring. These large shrubs make an impressive display that will dazzle would-be homebuyers, according to [Shelley Dahlman](), an agent with The Agency Texas in Austin. “Buyers love to see the bright colors of Pride of Barbados—these plants just make them happier when they’re walking in the door to tour a property,” she says. **Best For:** sunny and hot locations, perennial flower pots, low-water areas **Hardiness Zones:** 9-11 ## Author Lori Lovely is an award-winning investigative journalist, writer, editor, children’s book author, and alpaca rancher with nearly three decades of experience in publishing. She has covered everything from motorsports to animal rights—plus construction, heavy equipment, transportation, automotive, environmental, MSW, water, wastewater, energy, solar, Native American issues, real estate, travel, and more.