18 Shade-Loving Potted Plants to Illuminate Your Garden
Shade plants for pots are ideal for brightening up corners of the garden where sunlight is scarce. These plants flourish in lower light conditions, bringing color and life to shaded areas that might otherwise remain bare.
Their versatility and low-light needs make them perfect for decorating patios, balconies, and window sills. Consider these shade-loving beauties to add a splash of color where the sun doesn’t shine.
Dichondra (Dichondra argentea)
Dichondra makes a wonderful choice when filling your pots with lush green or silver leaves. This plant trails gracefully, reaching lengths of up to 4 feet while standing only about 4 inches tall.
It thrives in shady spots but can also tolerate a little sunlight each day, ensuring its beauty remains intact. Tall containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes benefit from the overflowing effect that Dichondra creates.
Impatiens (Impatiens)
Impatiens stand out as a favorite choice for shaded pots. Their lovely blooms come in many bright colors like red, pink, and purple.
From June until frost, these flowers provide continuous color to your garden. Compact in size, they grow between 6 to 24 inches tall and wide.
In most places outside of USDA zones 10 and 11, people treat Impatiens as annuals rather than perennials. Pinching back the plants encourages bushier growth while they prefer moist soil rich in nutrients for the best results.
Monkey Flower (Mimulus ringens)
Monkey flowers thrive in damp, shady areas and prefer soil that stays moist. These unique blooms resemble monkey faces, adding a playful touch to your garden.
They bloom from June to September, offering a long display of color. Varieties come in warm shades like yellow, orange, and red as well as purple and lilac hues.
Some grow upright while others trail downwards; this versatility allows you to use them effectively in different spaces. With their charming appearance and vibrant colors, these flowers can brighten up any landscape effortlessly.
Hellebore (Helleborus)
Adding Hellebore to your shade pots brings a bold touch. These perennials bloom early in spring, with some flowers appearing as soon as Christmas.
Known as the Lenten rose or Christmas rose, their blooms come in lovely shades of green, white, pink, and wine. The sturdy evergreen leaves form a low clump that fills space beautifully in containers.
Standing at 1 to 2 feet tall, these plants keep their blossoms for an extended period. Hardy from USDA zones 3 to 9, Hellebore thrives perfectly when planted at the end of your gardening season.
Hardy Cyclamen (Cyclamen Hederifolium)
Cyclamen makes a lovely addition to your pots, whether indoors or outdoors. This plant thrives in shady areas and produces many delicate blooms that resemble butterflies during late summer.
With heart-shaped leaves that are green, cream, and silver marbled together, it stands only 4 to 6 inches tall but can spread up to 10 to 12 inches across in its container. Cyclamen is hardy enough for USDA zones 3 to 9 and can even brighten up your home during winter when brought inside as a houseplant.
It shines beautifully in woodland gardens and rock settings too.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Red, heart-shaped flowers hang beautifully from the branches of Bleeding Heart. This plant thrives as a perennial in USDA zones 4 to 8 and works well in shaded areas.
After the blooms fade, its finely divided fern-like leaves continue to add charm to your pots for longer enjoyment. Late in the season, when other plants fill out, Bleeding Heart’s foliage may take a back seat but remains appealing.
Once blooming ends, these plants can easily be moved into your garden for another round next spring.
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Rich, moist soil helps lobelia thrive. This plant showcases delicate fan-shaped flowers in blue, violet, pink, and red.
It grows well in both sunny and shady spots. As a filler for containers or gardens, lobelia pairs nicely with other shade plants.
Cutting it back after the spring bloom encourages fuller flowers in the fall. Expect these lovely plants to reach about 6 to 12 inches high and wide.
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyeranus)
Persian Shield stands out with its beautiful leaves. This broadleaf evergreen grows well in pots, reaching heights of 3 to 4 feet.
With some sunlight, the colors become more intense, showing off rich purple, green, and silver patterns. Growing easily in part shade makes it a great choice for various spaces.
Regularly pinching back stems encourages a fuller and bushier look. While often treated as an annual, this plant can thrive indoors or outdoor in USDA zones 10 to 11.
Lily Of The Valley (Convallaria Majalis)
Lily of the Valley thrives in shady spots and works well in pots or as groundcover. This spring-blooming plant features lovely bell-shaped flowers that fill the air with a sweet scent.
With lush green, pointed leaves spreading 1 to 2 feet wide, it creates a beautiful display wherever placed. Containers can be positioned close to doors and windows for easy enjoyment of its wonderful fragrance during blooming season.
Dividing or thinning these plants allows you to create new pots or enhance shaded areas in your garden. Hardy from USDA zones 3 to 7, Lily of the Valley is both reliable and charming for any outdoor space.
Clivia (Clivia Miniata)
Clivia, also known as Flame Lily, brings a tropical touch to your shade pots. This plant stands 1 to 2 feet tall and can spread from 2 to 3 feet wide.
Its lush green leaves arch out gracefully from the center. Stunning funnel-shaped flowers bloom in bright yellows, oranges, and reds on sturdy stalks.
Each stalk often features between 10 and 20 beautiful blooms that catch the eye. Originating from South Africa, this perennial adds a striking presence to any garden space.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Coral Bells, also known as Heuchera, thrives beautifully in shady spots. These plants flourish in containers and gardens alike, surviving well in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9.
They pair wonderfully with Bleeding Heart; while Bleeding Heart finishes its bloom, Coral Bells come alive with color. Scalloped leaves range from dark purple to bright yellow-green shades.
Tiny bell-shaped flowers appear on slender stalks from midsummer until frost arrives. Plant them together for a lively display that lasts through the seasons.
Trailing Bacopa (Sutera cordata)
Trailing Bacopa brings beauty with its lovely white blooms and cascading growth. This plant flourishes in pots, spreading 2 to 4 feet as it overflows from containers and planters.
New varieties showcase frilled and double flowers in shades of pink and blue, along with the classic white. Blooming from spring until frost, Trailing Bacopa showcases its vibrant flowers on lush branches of greenish-blue leaves.
For healthy growth, providing extra nutrients works wonders since this plant is vigorous by nature. While deadheading isn’t necessary, trimming back damaged stems keeps it looking lush and full throughout the season.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia)
Fuchsia plants bring a burst of color to your garden with their bright red, pink, and purple flowers. Their blooms hang gracefully and can last nearly all season long.
Thriving in shady spots, these plants enjoy warm moisture and protection from wind. While they can tolerate some dappled sunlight, avoiding hot direct sun is essential for their health.
With thousands of varieties available, Fuchsia offers beautiful single or double flowers that often feature unique color combinations.
Torenia (Torenia fournieri)
Wishbone flower, known as Torenia, brings joy with its bright trumpet-shaped blooms all summer. This plant grows between 6 to 18 inches and spills beautifully from containers.
You can enjoy its bicolor or tricolor flowers in shades of blue, purple, burgundy, pink, white, and yellow without worrying about maintenance. No need for deadheading makes it easy to care for.
It thrives in rich soil that drains well while being tolerant of some heat too.
Begonia (Begonia)
Growing healthy begonias can be a rewarding experience. These plants thrive in pots and prefer well-drained soil that is neither too wet nor too dry.
With over 1800 species, they provide an array of beautiful blooms in orange, pink, red, white, and bicolor shades. Most varieties flourish from midsummer until frost arrives and are hardy in USDA zones 6 to 11.
In colder areas, lifting the roots in fall allows for safe storage until spring planting after the last frost passes. Begonias grow from tubers or rhizomes and make excellent choices for shady gardens.
Camellia (Camellia)
Growing camellia brings beauty to any garden. This evergreen shrub features dark green leaves and large blooms in various colors, including white, pink, lavender, red, or yellow.
Camellias thrive best in warm areas with USDA hardiness zones 7 to 9. These plants bloom from late fall through early spring while reaching heights between 2 and 12 feet and widths of up to 10 feet.
Known for their slow growth and long life span, camellias can outlast many owners.
Oxalis (Oxalis)
Shamrock, also called Oxalis, brings charm to both indoor and outdoor spaces. These plants thrive in shaded areas outdoors, adding unique color and texture to your container garden.
When winter arrives and temperatures drop, bringing them inside keeps them safe. In low light conditions, their delicate three-leaflets fold together gracefully.
Popular varieties showcase burgundy leaves paired with long-stemmed blush pink flowers. You can also find options featuring multicolored or pure green leaves that bloom in white, pink, yellow, or peach hues.
Primrose (Primula Vulgaris)
Primrose brings a burst of color with over 500 flower types. Bright green, wrinkled leaves form a lovely base as these flowers bloom early in April.
These plants thrive well in shady spots, making them great for containers that enhance your garden in spring. After the blooms fade, you can move the containers to less visible areas until they bloom again next year.
Primrose also grows well outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, adding a cheerful touch wherever planted.
