Front door planters add a welcoming touch to North Carolina homes during the holiday season without breaking the bank. Our state’s mild winters allow for a variety of greenery and colorful plants that can withstand occasional frost while brightening entryways from the mountains to the coast.
For me, keeping holiday décor on a budget means finding plants that can handle our chilly Carolina mornings while still looking festive when guests arrive. I’ve learned that local garden centers often mark down seasonal plants in early December, making under-$20 arrangements totally doable.
Whether you’re in Asheville or Wilmington, these affordable planter ideas will help you create a festive entrance that celebrates our state’s natural beauty. Each option works with our unpredictable winter weather patterns while bringing holiday cheer to your doorstep.
1. Pinecone-Filled Terracotta Pots
Gathering pinecones from Carolina pine forests costs absolutely nothing, making this a true budget-friendly option. Simply collect various sizes and arrange them in a clean terracotta pot.
Add a few sprigs of free evergreen clippings from your yard or a neighbor’s tree (with permission, of course). A small string of battery-operated mini lights tucked among the pinecones creates evening magic for about $3.
The entire arrangement costs under $10 if you need to purchase the pot, and the natural materials withstand North Carolina’s fluctuating winter temperatures beautifully.
2. Repurposed Tin Bucket Evergreens
Old tin buckets from hardware stores or flea markets make charming containers for budget holiday displays. Look for them at North Carolina thrift shops for $2-5 each.
Fill the container with soil and plant small evergreen cuttings like cedar, pine, or spruce branches that flourish in our Carolina climate. Add a festive touch with red berries from native plants like winterberry holly.
The rustic metal develops a beautiful patina during our humid winter days. Total cost ranges from $8-15 depending on whether you need to purchase soil.
3. Mason Jar Candle Planters
Mason jars celebrate our state’s agricultural heritage while creating beautiful light displays. Fill wide-mouth jars halfway with small stones or sand, then insert a votive candle.
Wrap wire or twine around the jar’s rim and attach sprigs of rosemary, which grows abundantly in North Carolina gardens even in winter. The herb releases a wonderful scent when warmed by the candle.
Group three jars of different heights for maximum impact. The entire project costs around $12 using jars from dollar stores and garden clippings from your yard.
4. Painted Wooden Crate Arrangement
Small wooden crates from local farmers’ markets cost around $5 and transform into charming planters with a coat of weather-resistant paint. Red or green colors work wonderfully for holiday themes.
Line the crate with plastic to protect the wood, then fill with potting soil. Plant hardy pansies in purple and yellow, which thrive through North Carolina’s mild winters and provide surprising pops of color.
Add a few sprigs of pine or cedar between the flowers for texture. The finished planter costs approximately $15 and will last through the entire holiday season.
5. Upcycled Rain Boot Displays
Children’s outgrown rain boots make whimsical planters that stand up to North Carolina’s occasional winter showers. Drill drainage holes in the bottom, then fill with potting soil.
Plant cold-hardy ornamental kale or cabbage, which thrive in our moderate winter temperatures and add gorgeous purple and green tones. Their frost resistance makes them perfect for unpredictable Carolina weather patterns.
Place boots in pairs or solo on porch steps. Cost runs about $8-12 total if you’re using boots you already have, making this an affordable way to recycle while decorating.
6. Burlap-Wrapped Coffee Can Gardens
Empty coffee cans wrapped in burlap create rustic planters perfect for North Carolina’s farmhouse aesthetic. Secure the fabric with hot glue or twine, leaving drainage holes at the bottom.
Fill with soil and plant cold-tolerant dusty miller, whose silvery foliage resembles frost and pairs beautifully with small red ornaments tucked throughout. The silver-and-red combination feels festive without being overly Christmas-specific.
Each planter costs approximately $5-8 to create, depending on whether you need to purchase the burlap. The dusty miller will survive our mild Carolina winters with minimal care.
7. Vintage Toolbox Herb Display
Old wooden toolboxes from North Carolina flea markets (often under $10) make perfect planters for winter herbs. The handle makes them easy to move when temperatures dip below freezing.
Plant rosemary, thyme, and sage—all herbs that withstand our mild Carolina winters and provide fresh ingredients for holiday cooking. The varied textures and subtle greens create natural beauty.
Add a simple red bow to the handle for a festive touch. The herbs continue growing through spring, making this $15-18 investment practical as well as decorative.
8. Colorful Plastic Colander Succulents
Dollar store colanders in bright holiday colors make perfect succulent planters since they already have drainage holes. Line with landscape fabric before adding cactus soil.
Plant hardy hens-and-chicks succulents, which survive North Carolina’s occasional freezes and require almost no maintenance. Their geometric shapes provide interesting texture against the colander’s curved form.
Hang the colander using decorative chain or place on a small plant stand. Total cost runs $12-15, and these drought-tolerant plants will thrive through dry Carolina winter days with minimal watering.
9. Painted Pumpkin Pot Gardens
After Thanksgiving, hollow out leftover pumpkins and paint them white, gold, or silver for instant holiday planters. They’ll last several more weeks in North Carolina’s cool winter temperatures.
Fill with potting soil and plant paperwhite narcissus bulbs, which will bloom during the holiday season with delicate white flowers and wonderful fragrance. Their growth adds an element of anticipation as the holidays approach.
This planter costs around $10-12 if you already have the pumpkin, and creates a beautiful transition from fall to winter decor that’s perfectly suited to our moderate climate.
10. Birch Log Mini Gardens
Fallen birch branches from North Carolina forests can be hollowed out to create natural planters. Cut logs to 8-12 inch lengths and drill out the centers, leaving the bottom intact.
Fill with potting soil and plant small ferns or moss, both of which thrive in our humid Carolina winter climate. The contrast between white birch bark and deep green plants creates a woodland holiday feel.
Group several different heights together for maximum impact. Cost runs about $5-8 if you collect your own logs, making this one of the most affordable options on our list.
11. Recycled Plastic Bottle Hanging Gardens
Cut the bottoms from 2-liter soda bottles and paint them with outdoor-safe paint in red and green. Punch holes for hanging with wire or strong twine.
Plant trailing ivy, which remains green through North Carolina’s mild winters and creates beautiful cascading effects. Add a few sprigs of holly with berries for traditional holiday color.
Hang several at different heights beside your door for maximum impact. Total cost is under $10, especially if you use recycled bottles, and the plastic protects plants from occasional frost while letting in plenty of light.
12. Woven Basket Evergreen Collections
Small wicker baskets from thrift stores cost $1-3 and make charming containers for holiday arrangements. Line with plastic to protect the basket and hold moisture.
Collect various evergreen cuttings from around your North Carolina yard—pine, cedar, holly, and boxwood all work beautifully together. The mixed textures create rich visual interest without costing a dime.
Add pine cones or sweet gum balls for additional texture. Total cost stays under $5 if you’re using foraged materials, and the arrangement lasts for weeks in our cool winter temperatures.
13. Galvanized Metal Bucket Displays
Small galvanized buckets from farm supply stores cost around $5-8 and have a rustic charm perfect for North Carolina country homes. Their durability stands up to winter weather and develops character over time.
Fill with soil and plant cold-hardy cyclamen, whose bright red or white blooms last throughout the holiday season in our moderate climate. Their swept-back petals resemble butterfly wings against dark green foliage.
Add a burlap ribbon around the bucket for extra country charm. Total cost runs approximately $15-18, creating a display that transitions beautifully from Christmas into winter.
14. Repurposed Drawer Mini Gardens
Small wooden drawers from discarded furniture make unexpected planters with vintage appeal. Find them at North Carolina flea markets or salvage shops for $3-5 each.
Line with plastic, add drainage holes, then fill with soil. Plant small boxwood cuttings, which thrive in our Carolina climate and can be trimmed into tidy shapes. Their compact form fits perfectly in shallow drawer spaces.
Add a strand of battery-operated fairy lights for evening sparkle. The entire project costs $12-18 depending on whether you need to purchase soil and plants.
15. Festive Feed Sack Arrangements
Empty feed sacks from local North Carolina farm stores make fantastic free or low-cost planters that celebrate our agricultural heritage. Fold down the tops to create stability and line with plastic for waterproofing.
Fill with soil and plant cold-hardy snapdragons in red or white, which continue blooming through mild Carolina winters. Their tall stalks create height while smaller greenery fills in around the base.
The burlap texture provides rustic charm that complements both traditional and modern homes. Total cost stays under $12, especially if you already have the feed sacks.