10 Plants That Thrive in the Shade

Shade is sometimes seen as a hindrance in the garden. After all, plants need the sun’s energy to grow, right? However, given the right plant selection, you can bring even the dimmest spots in your garden to life. Read through the list below to discover some of the best plants that grow in shade. 

1. Primrose

The primrose is a low-growing mounding plant with fragrant spring blooms that comes in a variety of colors from bright pink to yellow. These shade plants are easy to care for, preferring moist and slightly acidic soil. You can plant primrose in full or partial shade, but they prefer a little morning sun. Take care to keep children and pets away from these beautiful flowers, however, as they’re toxic to people and animals. These shade superstars are hardy in zones 3 through 8.

See more: Guide to the New USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

2. Begonias

Begonias are another low-light plant with flowers coming in orange, pink, red, white and yellow. They can be grown outdoors on a shaded porch, underneath a big tree or even inside as houseplants. If you’re growing begonias in a pot, make sure the pot is a couple inches larger than the root ball and use potting soil that is rich in organic matter. Keep the soil moist, but don’t overwater. This is a plant you’ll want to keep away from pets, as it can cause vomiting and salivation in cats and dogs who consume it. While they’re pretty pest resistant, begonias are susceptible to powdery mildew and fungi, which can lead to root rot.

3. Brunnera

Brunnera’s trademark heart-shaped leaves serve as a sort of “I love you” to any gardener lucky enough to incorporate them into their yard. Some don variegated leaf patterns, such as milky green with forest green veins, which almost distract from the prized confetti of dainty bluish-purple flowers that pop out in spring. These rhizomatous perennials are native to the woodlands of Eastern Europe and Northwest Asia but can do just as well in a full-shade spot under a tree in your yard. Another fun thing about brunnera plants: their leaves are “hairy” to the touch!

4. Hellebore 

Hellebore, also known as the Lenten rose, is another great choice for a shady area. They do especially well in partial shade with rich, moist, well-draining soil. Their rose-like flowers, coming in shades of green, white, red, purple, pink and yellow, make an appearance in early spring and last for several months. However, the foliage keeps on giving year round, and these perennials will continue to bloom for years. Unfortunately, this is another plant that is poisonous to animals and people, so keep them out of reach of your pets and little ones. While native to Europe and Asia, hellebores are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9.

5. Ferns 

Ferns offer color and texture to a shade garden with their graceful, intricate leaves or fronds. There are a number of varieties to choose from, including the holly fern and the maidenhair fern. These shade plants do well underneath a single tree or in a woodland garden that is protected from afternoon sun. Most ferns love moist, acidic soil. Luckily, ferns are pretty hardy and require minimal care outside of some mulching during drier periods.

6. Coleus 

While some cultivars can handle sun, most coleus prefer at least dappled shade with direct sun limited to mornings. These plants are grown for their foliage, and leaves come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. One popular variety, the vein-leaf coleus, comes in leaves of bright green with wine-colored centers that branch out like veins. Meanwhile, the brilliancy variety features bright, spade-like red leaves with green scalloped edges. Coleus are great for containers, shady spots under trees and garden beds integrated with other flowers and foliage. No matter where you decide to plant them, they are sure to brighten up your shade garden.

7. Hostas

Hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are another plant that grows in shade. Their leaves can be blue, yellow or green and are often variegated. These easy-to-care-for plants work great as ground cover in a shady garden. There are a number of varieties to choose from, too, from the almost neon-green ground sulphur to the yellow fire island. Meanwhile, the spade-like leaves of the minute man variety come in dark green with an almost paintbrush-like stroke of creamy white tint around the edges. Hostas do best in well-drained soil and require an annual feeding of a slow-release fertilizer.

8. Caladiums

Caladiums are exciting plants that grow in shade with colorful, heart-shaped foliage – think white with forest green veins, pastel pink with a speckled green border, or white with freckles of pink and green. Although there are a number of varieties, all caladiums thrive in filtered sunlight or shade. In fact, direct sun can cause their bright foliage to fade. Originally from Central and South America, caladiums love warm weather. Take care where you plant these beauties, however – they’re toxic to pets and people.

9. Bleeding Heart 

These cool-season flowers will make quite the statement in your shade garden once spring arrives. From the plant’s signature bluish-green foliage emerges arching stems with heart-shaped flowers hanging like shirts on a clothesline. These flowers may be pink and white or solid white. This plant does best in well-draining soil and benefits from an annual feeding. To take advantage of its breathtaking flowers, plant your bleeding heart in partial shade, perhaps under a flowering tree, as full shade inhibits blooms.

10. Coral Bells

With foliage coming in a rainbow of colors like burgundy, gold, lime green and silver, coral bells are a stunning choice to brighten up any shady spot. Reaching 1 to 3 feet in height, they work well as ground cover or in container plantings. In the spring, flowers emerge from these shade plants, attracting hummingbirds. Make sure to deadhead the flowers to keep them coming into summer. When blooming season is over, cut back the stalks to help direct energy to this plant’s showy foliage.