Shade Loving Plants for Containers: A Guide to Choosing the Best Plants
Looking to add some greenery to your shaded outdoor spaces?
It’s achievable! Shade-loving perennials and shade annuals are an excellent option for adding color and texture to containers in areas with limited sunlight.
Whether you have a balcony, patio, or shady garden, plenty of perennials thrive in low light conditions.
One benefit of perennials is that they come back year after year, making them a cost-effective option for container gardening.
Plus, many shade-loving perennials have unique foliage that interests your outdoor spaces even when not blooming.
From ferns to hostas to heucheras, there are many options to choose from that will add beauty and interest to your shaded areas.
On the other hand, annuals only grow for one season, BUT their rich color and beauty make them worth it.
So, let’s dive into some of the best shade-loving perennials and annuals for containers!
Choosing the Right Containers
When planting shade-loving perennials in containers, choosing the right container is just as important as selecting the right plants. Here are some factors to consider when choosing containers for your shade-loving perennials.
Container Materials
Containers come in various materials, each with advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common materials used for containers:
- Terracotta: Terracotta containers are a classic choice for gardeners. They are porous, allowing air and water to circulate the roots of your plants. However, they can be heavy and fragile if knocked over.
- Plastic: Plastic containers are lightweight and durable. They come in a variety of colors and styles, making it easy to find one that fits your aesthetic. However, they are not as breathable as terracotta, which can lead to waterlogging, and they also retain heat, but that shouldn’t be a problem in shade gardens.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass containers are lightweight and durable, making them a good choice for larger plants. They are also weather-resistant and come in a variety of colors and styles. However, they can be expensive.
- Wood: Wooden containers are a natural choice for gardeners. They are porous, allowing air and water to circulate around the roots of your plants. However, they can be heavy and may rot over time, especially in areas with heavy rain.
Container Size
The size of your container will depend on the size of your plant. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Small plants: Small shade-loving perennials, such as hostas, ferns, and bleeding hearts, can be planted in containers as small as 6 inches in diameter, if you plan to contain them and keep them from growing too large.
- Medium plants: Medium-sized shade-loving perennials, such as astilbes, heucheras, and hellebores, will need containers that are at least 12 inches in diameter.
- Large plants: Large shade-loving perennials, such as ligularias and gunneras, will need containers at least 18 inches in diameter.
By considering the materials and size of your containers, you can ensure that your shade-loving perennials have the best chance of thriving in your container garden.
Keep in mind that if you want your plants to grow large, then get a large container when their roots will have more room to grow and spread.
If you want a very showy container, say, for instance, your front porch, then a larger pot is best. A large pot allows more room for creativity and more room for planting different plant combinations.
Best Shade-Loving Perennials and Annuals
When it comes to creating a beautiful container garden in the shade, there are plenty of options. Here are some of the best shade-loving perennials that will thrive and add color and texture to your container garden.
1. Hostas
Hostas are classic shade-loving perennials that come in various colors and sizes. They are perfect for container gardening because they do not require a lot of space if you buy them in small containers from the garden center.
Hostas can also be easily divided and transplanted! They are low maintenance and add a lush, textured look to containers. They complement flowers so well.
2. Ferns
Ferns are another classic shade-loving perennial that are perfect for container gardening.
They come in various shapes and sizes and add a whispy, modern look to container gardens.
Ferns are low-maintenance and can be easily divided and transplanted as they grow larger. You can even take them indoors for the winter and grow them as houseplants!
3. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart is a beautiful shade-loving perennial that produces heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink and white. It’s one of the prettiest flowers you can grow,
They are perfect for container gardening because they do not require a lot of space and add a romantic, whimsical look to your container garden.
Plus, they’re color looks lovely against green foliage.
4. Astilbe
Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial that produces feathery plumes of flowers in shades of pink, red, and white, and yellow.
They are perfect for container gardening because they add colorful intrigue to your container garden and are low maintenance. If you’re looking for a unique flower, this is it!
5. Coral Bells
Coral Bells are a shade-loving perennial that come in a variety of colors.
They are low maintenance and can be easily divided and transplanted.
6. Hellebores
Hellebore is a shade-loving perennial that produces beautiful flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.
They are perfect for container gardening because they add a unique, exotic look to your container garden.
7. Hydrangeas
Hydrangea is a shade-loving perennial that produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink, blue, and white. They are perfect for container gardening because they add a bold, dramatic look to your container garden.
8. Impatiens
Impatiens are a shade-loving perennials that come in many colors and add a bright, cheerful look to your container garden. They are low maintenance and can be easily divided and transplanted.
They’re a container classic!
9. Begonia
Begonias are usually grown as annuals in most zones, and they come in various colors and add a lush, tropical look to your container garden. They are low maintenance and can be easily divided and transplanted.
10. Coleus
Coleus is another plant that is usually grown annually. It comes in a variety of colors and adds a bold, colorful look to your container garden. It’s a low-maintenance plant and can be easily divided and transplanted.
It’s so gorgeous and perfect for adding zest to your containers! I always reach for this plant when creating beautiful container arrangements.
11. Pansy
Pansies are a shade-loving plant that comes in various colors and add a bright, cheerful look to your container garden. They are low maintenance and can be easily divided and transplanted.
12. Persian shield
Persian shield is a shade-loving perennial that produces beautiful, iridescent leaves in purple, green, and silver shades.
They are perfect for container gardening because they add a unique, exotic look to your container garden. If you crave purple in your containers, Persian shield will deliver!
13. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a shade-loving perennial that produces delicate, trailing leaves in shades of green and gold. They add a whimisical look to your container garden.
14. Caladium
Caladium is a shade-loving perennial that produces beautiful, heart-shaped leaves in shades of pink, red, and white.
Give this plant a try if you’re looking to go bold with your shade containers.
15. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a shade-loving perennial that produces beautiful, delicate flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white.
It’s an exotic-looking flower and will make your containers more interesting!
16. Ivy
Ivy is a shade-loving perennial that comes in various colors and adds a lush, textured look to your container garden.
Use ivy as a spill in your containers! They grow longer as the season progresses and will look even prettier with time.
17. Sweet Potato Vine
Sweet Potato Vine is a shade-loving perennial that produces beautiful, trailing leaves in lime green or deep purple shades.
Use this perennial plant if you crave a tropical look to your containers. This vine is a vigorous grower under the right conditions and will only look prettier the longer it gets!
Caring for Your Plants in the Shade
Watering Needs
When watering your shade-loving perennials and annual plants, it’s important to balance keeping the soil moist and avoiding overwatering.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause your plants to wilt and die.
A good rule of thumb is to water your container plants thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Be sure to water slowly and deeply, allowing the water to soak in rather than running off.
Try to water the soil directly, leaving the leaves as dry as possible. This isn’t necessary but it makes it easier to avoid plant diseases that arise from overwatering.
Soil Considerations
Choosing the right soil is crucial for the health of your shade-loving perennials. Most shade-loving plants prefer soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining.
A good potting mix made for flowers will do.
You can improve the quality of your soil by adding compost or other organic matter to the mix. Be sure to choose a container that has drainage holes to prevent water from pooling in the bottom of the pot.
Fertilizing Schedule
Fertilizing your shade-loving perennials can help keep them healthy and vibrant.
However, it’s important to use the right type of fertilizer and apply it at the right time.
A slow-release fertilizer is a good choice for container plants, as it will release nutrients gradually over time.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and timing.
In general, it’s a good idea to fertilize your plants once a month during the growing season.
Design Tips for Shade Containers
When designing a shade container garden, there are a few things to keep in mind that’ll help you achieve the look you crave. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and thriving shade container garden.
Arranging Plants
- When arranging plants in a shade container, choose plants with similar light and water requirements. This will make it easier to maintain your plants and keep them healthy.
- Get creative by using different textures and heights to create a visually stunning arrangement.
- Remember the “thriller, filler, spiller” concept when shopping for plants. Consider placing taller plants in the center or back of the container, this will be your “thriller”. You shorter plants will be your “filler” and will be planted in the center and around the edges, to fill the empty spots. Then comes your “spiller” plant. These will be the vining plants you choose. They’ll spill over the sides of the container and add some depth to your arrangement.
Color Combinations
One of the best things about container gardening is the ability to play around with different color combinations.
When choosing plants for your shade container, consider using a mix of foliage and flowers in shades of green, purple, and silver. These colors work well together and can create a calming and relaxing atmosphere.
If you want to add a pop of color, consider using bright flowers in shades of pink, yellow, or orange.
Just be careful not to overdo it, as too many bright colors can overwhelm a shade garden.
By following these design tips, you can create a beautiful and thriving shade container garden that you can enjoy all season long.