Plant's deputy welcoming personnel (5)
I believe the answer is:
shrub
'plant's' is the definition.
(type of plant)
'deputy welcoming personnel' is the wordplay.
'deputy' becomes 'sub'.
'welcoming' is an insertion indicator (in sense of 'inviting in').
'personnel' becomes 'HR' (Human Resources).
'sub' placed around 'hr' is 'SHRUB'.
(Other definitions for shrub that I've seen before include "Plant - brush (anag)" , "Low woody perennial type of plant" , "Drink of rum, fruit juice and spices" , "Perhaps Heather" , "Elder" .)