15 Best Plants for Shade Container Gardens
Shade-loving plants for container gardens thrive even in the most shaded areas of your garden.
These versatile plants are perfect for sprucing up spaces that lack direct sunlight, offering lush foliage and vibrant colors.
With the right selection, you can transform shady spots into charming garden features.
Begonias (Begonia Groups and Hybrids)
Begonias bring a splash of color to your container garden, thriving in shady spots where other plants might struggle.
Their diverse varieties offer something for everyone, whether you fancy bright blooms or lush foliage.
When the colder months arrive, these beauties can easily transition indoors, allowing you to enjoy their charm year-round.
Bleeding Heart ( Lamprocapnos spectabilis )
Bleeding heart plants enchant with their lovely heart-shaped blooms, creating a stunning display in any container garden.
Delicate stems showcase the flowers above lush blue-green foliage, adding layers of beauty to your space.
Keeping the soil consistently moist and enriching it with organic compost will help these charming plants flourish beautifully for you.
Coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides)
Coleus adds a splash of color to any shady container garden with its eye-catching leaves that come in an array of vibrant hues.
Yellow flowers rise above the foliage on striking spikes, creating a beautiful contrast that catches your attention.
Growing coleus is straightforward; simply start from seeds indoors and watch them flourish in their cozy, partially shaded home outside.
Coral Bells (Heuchera Species and Hybrids)
Coral bells bring a burst of color and texture to your container garden, with their vibrant foliage creating an eye-catching display.
Hardy and adaptable, these plants thrive in shaded areas while adding life to any outdoor space.
Their lush mounds can effortlessly elevate the look of your pots, inviting admiration from anyone passing by.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Creeping Jenny adds a lush, green carpet to your container garden with its vibrant leaves that spill gracefully over the edges.
Perfect for filling empty spaces, this plant thrives in shaded spots while maintaining its beautiful color.
Whether nestled in a large planter or cascading from a hanging pot, it brings life and texture wherever you place it.
Lamium ( Lamium amplexicaule )
Lamium adds a whimsical touch to your garden with its soft, feathery petals that seem to shimmer like mist.
Selecting from an array of colors allows you to personalize your outdoor space, creating a serene atmosphere on your porch or patio.
Finding the right shady spot ensures these blooms flourish beautifully, bringing life and charm wherever they grow.
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
The impatiens thrives in the shade, bringing a splash of color to your container garden without needing sunlight.
You can easily place it on a covered patio, where its vibrant blooms can brighten up even the dullest corners.
Pairing this beauty with other flowers adds depth and creates an inviting atmosphere that makes you want to linger outside longer.
Ferns
Ferns thrive in the shade, bringing a lush, green vibe to your container garden.
These resilient plants require little attention and flourish with just water and nutrients.
Placing them on stands or hanging planters showcases their beautiful foliage, creating an inviting atmosphere in any space.
Dichondra (Dichondra Argentea)
Limited space doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy lush greenery; dichondra brings charm with its lovely round leaves.
This plant gracefully trails down, adding a soft touch to hanging planters and window boxes alike.
With just a few hours of sunlight each day, your container garden will flourish beautifully.
Hydrangea ( Hydrangea macrophylla )
Hydrangeas bring a burst of color and texture to your container garden with their fluffy, globe-shaped blooms.
Opt for smaller varieties that thrive in pots, allowing you to enjoy their beauty even in limited spaces.
Regular watering is key; keeping the soil moist will reward you with vibrant flowers that brighten up any shady corner.
Trailing Lobelia (Lobelia erinus var. Pendula)
Trailing lobelia brings a burst of color to your container garden, even in the shadiest corners.
With its long, cascading shoots adorned with tiny flowers, this plant creates a lively display that dances gently in the breeze.
Perfect for adding charm and cheer to any space, it invites you to enjoy nature's beauty without needing bright sunlight.
Torenia (Torenia fournieri)
Torenia adds a splash of color to your shady spots, showcasing beautiful petals that catch the eye.
Perfect for those who love low-maintenance plants, it thrives with just regular watering and occasional feeding.
Placing the container lower allows you to fully appreciate its charming blooms while bringing a touch of English elegance to your garden space.
Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Fuchsia plants add a splash of color to your container garden with their eye-catching, drooping flowers that seem to dance in the breeze.
These beauties flourish in cooler temperatures and shady spots, making them perfect for those dim corners on your porch or patio.
Hanging them creates a stunning visual effect as their vibrant blooms cascade down, inviting you to enjoy nature's artistry from below.
Oxalis (Oxalis spp.)
Oxalis plants introduce a refreshing twist to your container garden with their strikingly shaped leaves that create an eye-catching contrast against softer blooms.
Growing rapidly, these hardy beauties fill up pots effortlessly, bringing life and texture to shaded areas.
When the chill sets in, simply bring your planter inside for continued lushness and vitality throughout the colder months.
Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyeranus)
Persian shield brings a splash of tropical flair to your container garden, showcasing leaves that dance with rich colors and intricate patterns.
Growing up to 3 feet tall, this plant thrives in larger planters where it can truly shine as the star of your display.
With its bold presence, you’ll find that just one Persian shield can transform any space into a lush retreat.
