If you have a spot in the shade, you might not know what plants would be good to plant in this area.
Not all plants thrive in full sun—some prefer the cool, dappled light of a shady spot.
Whether you’re looking for vibrant flowers, trailing plants, or bold foliage, the right shade-loving plants will keep your containers lush and beautiful all season long.
The plants on this list grow well in partial to full shade, bringing color and texture to patios, porches, and other low-light areas.
From delicate blooms to rich, leafy greens, these plants are perfect for creating a thriving container garden in the shade.
Table of Contents
Toad Lily
Toad Lily is an exotic-looking shade perennial with delicate, orchid-like flowers that bloom in late summer to fall.
It adds unique beauty to container gardens with its speckled purple, pink, or white blooms.
This plant thrives in moist, well-draining soil and prefers partial to full shade. Its late-season blooms make it an excellent choice for shady areas.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, prefers moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in organic matter
- Bloom Time: Late summer to fall
- Bonus: Deer-resistant
Bleeding Heart
This is my sister’s favorite flower.
The bleeding heart is a classic shade-loving perennial with arching stems of heart-shaped pink or white flowers.
It thrives in cool, shaded areas and adds an elegant, old-fashioned charm to container gardens.
This plant prefers consistently moist soil and does best in partial to full shade.
It naturally goes dormant in mid to late summer, so pairing it with later-season plants is a great way to keep your containers looking full.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, keep soil evenly moist
- Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
- Bloom Time: Spring to early summer
- Bonus: Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
Primrose
Primroses are cheerful, early-blooming perennials that thrive in shade, bringing vibrant colors like yellow, pink, purple, and red to container gardens.
They are an excellent choice for adding color to shaded spaces in early spring.
These plants prefer consistently moist soil and cool temperatures, making them perfect for shady patios and balconies.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: High, prefers moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil
- Bloom Time: Early spring
- Bonus: Attracts pollinators
Gardenias
Gardenias are known for their creamy white, fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves.
They thrive in partial shade and add an elegant, tropical feel to container gardens.
Gardenias require well-draining soil and consistent moisture. They also benefit from occasional fertilization to keep their blooms healthy and fragrant.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial shade
- Water: Moderate to high, prefers moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, acidic soil
- Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
- Bonus: Highly fragrant flowers
Begonias
Begonias are one of the best flowers for shade-loving container gardens.
They come in a variety of types, including wax begonias, tuberous begonias, and rex begonias, each offering vibrant colors and unique foliage.
These plants bloom continuously from spring to fall and are easy to care for.
Begonias prefer well-draining soil and consistent moisture but do not like soggy conditions. They thrive in partial to full shade, making them ideal for covered patios and shaded balconies.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, keep soil moist but not soggy
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Bonus: Works well indoors as a houseplant
Impatiens
Impatiens are a go-to choice for brightening up shady spaces with their cheerful, colorful blooms.
These low-maintenance flowers thrive in full shade and provide nonstop color in shades of pink, red, white, orange, and purple.
Impatiens need regular watering, as they prefer consistently moist soil. They are perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes, adding lushness to any shaded area.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: High, keep soil consistently moist
- Soil: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
- Bloom Time: Spring to frost
- Bonus: Great for mass planting and filling in spaces
Fuchsias
Fuchsias are prized for their elegant, pendulous flowers in shades of pink, purple, red, and white.
They are perfect for hanging baskets and containers, where their delicate blooms can drape gracefully over the sides.
These shade-loving plants prefer cooler temperatures and moist, well-draining soil. Make sure to deadhead them regularly to help encourage continuous blooms throughout the growing season.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, keep soil consistently moist
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil
- Bloom Time: Late spring to fall
- Bonus: Attracts hummingbirds
Torenia (Wishbone Flower)
Torenia, also known as the Wishbone Flower, is a beautiful shade-loving annual that produces trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and yellow.
It’s an excellent choice for containers, adding a pop of color to shady spaces.
This plant thrives in moist, well-draining soil and enjoys humidity. It is a great alternative to impatiens for shaded garden areas.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate to high, prefers consistent moisture
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in organic matter
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Bonus: Resistant to deer and rabbits
Astilbe
Astilbe is a striking shade-loving perennial that produces feathery plumes of flowers in pink, red, white, and purple.
Its elegant blooms and fern-like foliage make it an excellent choice for adding texture to container gardens.
Astilbe prefers moist, well-draining soil and thrives in shaded areas where it is protected from harsh sunlight. Regular watering is important, especially in warm climates.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: High, prefers consistently moist soil
- Soil: Rich, well-draining soil
- Bloom Time: Late spring to midsummer
- Bonus: Adds texture and height to containers
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a fast-growing, trailing plant with bright green, cascading foliage that works beautifully in shady containers.
It spreads quickly and provides excellent ground cover, spilling over the edges of pots to soften container arrangements.
This plant prefers moist soil and thrives in partial to full shade, making it perfect for shady areas.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, prefers moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, rich soil
- Growth Habit: Trailing, fast-growing
- Bonus: Great for mixed containers
Trailing Lobelia
Trailing Lobelia produces delicate, small flowers in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink, creating a soft, cascading effect in containers.
It thrives in cooler temperatures and shaded environments, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets and window boxes.
This plant prefers consistent moisture and benefits from occasional trimming to encourage new growth and extended blooming.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial shade
- Water: Moderate to high, prefers evenly moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in nutrients
- Bloom Time: Spring to fall
- Bonus: Attracts pollinators
Coleus
I love how colorful coleus is!
It’s a colorful foliage plant that thrives in shady conditions.
It has leaves in shades of green, red, yellow, and purple.
It adds vibrant color and texture to container gardens without needing flowers.
This plant prefers consistently moist soil and benefits from occasional pinching to encourage bushier growth.
It pairs well with other shade-loving plants.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, keep soil evenly moist
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in nutrients
- Growth Habit: Bushy, compact
- Bonus: Can be grown indoors as a houseplant
Caladium
Looking for another colorful foliage plant? Caladiums are known for their large, heart-shaped leaves in shades of pink, red, green, and white.
They are perfect for shady container gardens and add a tropical feel to any space.
These plants require consistently moist soil and warm temperatures. They do best in high humidity and benefit from being planted in rich, organic soil.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: High, prefers consistently moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in organic matter
- Growth Habit: Upright, bushy
- Bonus: Stunning foliage with vibrant colors
Hostas
My Grandma’s backyard was shady and she always had these big, beautiful hostas growing.
Hostas are classic shade-loving plants with large, textured leaves in a variety of green, blue, and variegated shades. They are excellent for adding lush foliage to shaded container gardens.
Hostas thrive in cool, shaded environments and require regular watering to maintain their lush appearance. They pair well with other shade-loving flowers and foliage plants.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: Moderate, prefers moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil
- Growth Habit: Low-growing, spreading
- Bonus: Deer-resistant varieties available
Ferns
When I was a kid we lived in the woods and there were tons of ferns growing around us. They were so pretty with their feathery foliage.
Ferns are a great choice for shady container gardens.
They thrive in humid conditions and shaded environments.
Ferns require consistently moist soil and benefit from occasional misting in dry conditions. They make excellent companions for shade-loving flowers and foliage plants.
Quick Facts:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Water: High, prefers consistently moist soil
- Soil: Well-draining, rich in organic matter
- Growth Habit: Upright, spreading
- Bonus: Great for indoor and outdoor containers
