34 Shade Plants For Beautiful Pots

Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann

Some containers have all the sun. Although, these shady planters are having plenty of fun without it. Plants like caladiums and creeping Jenny will thrive in the shade and add great color and movement to your planters. Shade-loving flowers aren't too hard to find—check your local garden store. Try impatiens, coleus, sweet potato vines, violas, petunias, pansies, hostas, astilbes, and trilliums. They look great and will thrive in full to partial shade. And don't forget to think vertically when designing your containers. A hanging basket takes advantage of any vertical space.

We gathered our favorite shade-loving plants and container ideas to inspire your planting this season. If you have a shady yard or want to perk up a shaded spot in your home, look for these 34 pretty, easy-to-manage, shade plants for pots.

Bright Pansies

Plant 'Red Giant' mustard and purple pansies for a container that will thrive in some shade. Choose a bright container in a complementary color, and add a pop of cheer to a covered entryway. In a typically shaded area, introducing any color will brighten the space. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.

Sophisticated Elephant's Ear

Before you reach for the typical fern, try this more sophisticated foliage combo. The textural leaves of these four tropical-inspired plants make a splash, especially when added to a simple white container. We used elephant's ear, rex begonia, nephthytis, and blue star fern.

Let the elephant's ear stand tall and proud, taking center stage, while all of the smaller plantings fill in around the edges beautifully. These picks require regular water, so keep the soil moist and place the container out of direct light. Elephant's ear can break in the wind, so shield it from summer storms.

If you're looking for a little more color, consider adding a vivid pink or red caladium.

Vertical Shrimp Plant

Brighten a blank patio wall with a vertical garden made with a matching set of planters. For metal containers, like those above, drill drainage holes in the bottoms and three holes in the front of each container, and then use tin snips to cut out triangular openings that are large enough to fit one plant. Fill containers with potting soil and plants before mounting.

The left container includes shrimp plant, 'Aquamarine' pilea, variegated Pteris fern, selaginella, sword fern, and arrowhead vine. Similar plants reside in the container on the right, while the middle adds asparagus fern, 'Triostar' stromanthe, and 'Neon' pothos. These picks will withstand late-summer heat with regular water in part to full shade.

Shady Caladiums

This bright container will illuminate even the shadiest porch corner. Start with a cast-iron plant and add caladiums, impatiens, and a creeping fig for a lively arrangement. The neutral planter allows the plant combination to shine.

Spectacular Coleus and Joseph's Coat

These plants will thrive together. Add coleus, verbena, fan flower, Joseph's coat, calibrachoa, and petunias for a vibrant container, the variety of which is as fun to look at as it is easy to maintain. Because these plants share similar shade and water requirements, they'll be happy as clams in a container together. Don't keep the soil soggy, and give the grouping shade from afternoon sun.

Bold Violas

Pansies and violas are ideal choices for containers in shady spots. They're compact and cheery, and they'll add just the right infusion of vibrant color to an area of shadow. Plant 'Penny Red with Blotch' violas in several containers and arrange them in a row for an easy vignette in an undeniably bold crimson shade. Use moist, well-drained soil and place in a spot that gets at least 3 hours of sunlight each day.

Caladium Style

It's easy to maintain, and oh, does it look gorgeous. This made-for-shade container garden makes its home in an elevated planter, which gives the creeping Jenny plenty of space to spill out and dangle. 'Celebration' and 'Florida Sweetheart' caladiums add vibrant color, and the white wishbone flower is a lovely filler plant. Set it in the shade and water it often.

Verdant Coleus and Creeping Jenny

This container will thrive in part sun and part shade. It's a lively mix of colors and styles. Maroon Joseph's coat, green coleus, and yellow creeping Jenny lend a vibrant touch to a container you can move anywhere in your yard that you need a pick-me-up. Coleus is prone to breakage so avoid windy locations.

Lenten Rose Ramble

Lenten roses, or hellebores, are an excellent choice for a shady container. Complement pink Lenten roses with yellow Acorus, lime green euphorbias, purple violas, and variegated ivy. Keep the soil moist but not soggy and make sure it is well-draining.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Lenten Roses And Other Hellebore Varieties

Golden Pansies and Violas

This mix of 'Ogon' golden sweet flags, 'Matrix Yellow Blotch' pansies, and 'Penny Clear Yellow' violas add a punch of cheerful gold to your fall container style. Using different flower varieties in the same colors adds cohesion to your container gardens without appearing too similar. Mixing flower varieties of slightly different shades is also a great way to add interest without overwhelming a space with color. Plant in organic acidic soil with consistent moisture.

Late-Summer Coleus and SunPatiens

This cheery container is a versatile one. It's a gorgeous addition to your garden style in July, August, and September. 'Rustic Orange' coleus (Coleus scutellarioides), Compact 'Hot Coral' SunPatiens (Impatiens sp.), and 'Yellow Moon' wishbone flower (Torenia sp.) will thrive in a mix of sun and partial shade. The late summer heat may require attention to the container's time spent in the shade or sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, watering when the top inch of soil is dry.

Related: How To Grow And Care For SunPatiens

Heuchera Wow

This verdant window box gets its calling card from the spectrum of green on these lovely leaves—from pale white to chartreuse to forest greens. Plant 'Aaron' white caladium, 'Key Lime Pie' heuchera, 'White Nancy' spotted dead nettle, holly fern, ivy, and light pink periwinkle to re-create this design. This window, contrasted against the black shutters and white clapboard house, adds a natural and classic feature to the home. Water when the top inch of soil is dry and keep this group away from afternoon sun.

Viola Pop

This combination of violas—'Sorbet Plum Velvet' and 'Sorbet Icy Blue'—add a velvety infusion of color to a shady area. Layering two planting areas allows for more growing space and a unique design. The purple variation blends the arrangement and complements the copper-bronze planter. Deadheading will encourage continuous blooms from spring through summer. Cut the plants back in late summer for autumn flowers. Give them shade during hot afternoons and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Hens and Chicks and Shade

More is more. For a snappy statement, plant a single succulent selection of hens and chicks. Hens and chicks are great succulents for shady spots and typically require less maintenance than other container florals. These succulents can also thrive in the sun, so planting in an area with partial shade will still produce good results. They like warm temperatures and sandy, rocky soil.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Succulents

Purple and Green Coleus

Coleus, wire vine, euphorbia, lysimachia, and petunias combine to create a gorgeous color palette. The leaf shapes vary, including speckled colors. We love the array of greens and touches of plum spilling from this container. Morning sun is fine, but keep this container garden out of afternoon sun. Water when the soil is dry—don't water the plants if the soil is still wet from rain or a previous watering.

Spruce Window Box

This window box will thrive in autumn shade. Pretty, Christmas tree-shaped dwarf Alberta spruces rise from the box's left, right, and center areas, flanked by golden, orange, and green elements. Dwarf Alberta spruces are slow-growing, so don't worry about having to replant the container anytime soon. Pansies, violas, kales, and a smattering of English ivy complete the design. Keep the soil moist but not wet.

Stylish Violas and Ivy

These planters combine the best of all worlds. 'Pandora's Box' violas add color at the base, while variegated English ivy contributes movement and spills over the sides of the container. The centerpiece—which adds undeniable height—is the central evergreen, which can be a consistent plant in this arrangement while changing the surrounding fillers and spillers from year to year.

Pretty Petunias

This dainty mix makes for a rambling container that's easy to enjoy. 'Supertunia Vista Bubblegum' petunias take center stage with mounds of pink blossoms, which complement the autumn-hued coleus, 'Diamond Frost' euphorbias, geraniums, and angelonias mixed in. The neutral surroundings allow the colorful floral arrangement to pop against the natural wood elements. Ensure the planter has drainage holes to avoid soggy soil.

Shade-Loving Bromeliads

This combination of red bromeliads, yellow creeping Jenny, crotons, and pitcher plants will transport you to more tropical climes. Despite its island-vibe appearance, it will survive in the shade. The tall bromeliads, a plant part of the pineapple family, deliver height to this container. Keep the soil moist but not in standing water.

Pops of Pink Petunias

We love adding the autumnal hues of the sweet potato vine and pennisetum to the vibrant waves of color provided by the pink geraniums, angelonias, and petunias in these containers. (Petunias will survive, but not always thrive, in the shade. Best to alternate sun and shade with this container.) Mix and match to create a pink paradise on your front porch.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Sweet Potato Vines

Caladium Cacophony

Is there anything lovelier than an overflowing, unruly planting of caladiums? They're vibrant, and their leaf structure is supremely eye-catching. We love planting different shades and varieties together for a lovely grouping that thrives in the shade. We recommend 'Pink Symphony,' 'Iceberg,' 'Miss Muffet,' and 'Candyland' to create a similar look. Avoid afternoon sun and keep the soil consistently moist.

Watercolor Violas and Twinspurs

Embrace the blush and bashful trend with this lovely, watercolor-inspired design. Dainty 'Strawberry Sundae' twinspurs (Diascia hybrid) and 'Penny Lavender Shades' violas make a statement. Together they're graceful, pretty, bold, and eye-catching—plus, they'll tolerate plenty of shade. Enjoy blooms into the fall by cutting the plants back in late summer.

Caladium Combination

Add pots of complementary caladiums to perk up your steps. We planted pots of 'June Bride,' 'Pink Gem,' and 'Aaron' caladiums for vibrant, shade-tolerant containers that look great together. This lush display adds the perfect touch of color to a shady corner of the yard. They like humidity and filtered sunlight.

Multilevel Impatiens

To re-create this container, consider height when arranging your plants—focusing on layering plants by size to structure a distinct architecture. Ferns and ivy form the base of this arrangement, then impatiens, followed by caladiums rising from the top. The impatiens will flower from late spring to fall and thrive in full shade or dappled sunlight.

Related: Impatiens Are Easy To Grow And Fast-Blooming Flowers

Two-Tiered Violas

This multilevel pot combines 'Sorbet Plum Velvet' and 'Sorbet Icy Blue' violas, which would work on a porch or a kitchen tabletop—it's a pretty explosion of purple and lavender hues. For a contrasting color, the terracotta planter adds a bit of dimension without adding a new floral variety. Plant in organic, moist, well-draining soil in partial sun.

Tidy Terrarium Ferns

Start with a glass vessel and add gravel, carbon, soil, and plants. Choose terrarium plants that thrive in low sunlight, like ferns, certain succulents, and mosses. Also, consider fittonia, pothos, and philodendron species for a shady terrarium. Spritz the plants once a week and trim as needed to control growth and get rid of dying leaves.

Related: How To Make Your Own Terrarium Garden

Viola Spectrum

Flickering flames and autumn sunlight inspire this hanging planter color palette. Embrace the warm side of the spectrum with yellow and orange violas and yellow, orange, and red pansies planted from the deepest crimson to the lightest yellow shades. The shift of color and addition of varied bloom shapes and sizes keeps the arrangement eye-catching. Plant in well-draining soil and don't let it dry out. Deadheading encourages more blooms.

Violas and Parsley

Using whatever vessels you have on hand (we used a galvanized tub and a smaller galvanized bucket here), stack and plant your shade-tolerant picks. To re-create this look, use violas for vibrant blooms and plant parsley as a dainty and fragrant filler. Plant more violas and creeping Jenny so that they emerge from the base and create a two-tiered effect. Keep the soil moist and don't let it dry out. Grown in partial shade, the plants will not need as much water.

Hanging Begonias

Take things vertical with this elegant hanging container. Impatiens, spider plants, begonias, ferns, and ivy will tolerate even the shadiest climates. These plants will make a just-plain-lovely addition to your garden. Give the container enough bright light for the begonias to flower. Too much direct light may cause the leaves to scorch.

Ornamental Cabbage and Mexican Bush Sage

A purple profusion adds drama that lasts from late summer into fall. Combine Mexican bush sage, purple asters, ornamental cabbage, 'Purple Prince' alternanthera, and lamb's ears. Plant in evenly moist, well-drained soil in partial shade, especially during hot afternoons.

Welcoming Hydrangeas

Why limit an area to one container when several will make an impact? A grouping of blue hydrangeas, elephant ears, and trailing pothos makes a grand statement for summer. Place the pots in partial shade and water regularly to keep the hydrangeas from wilting or drying out. They can live in containers for years before they need to be repotted. There are many compact varieties that grow well in pots, depending on your zone.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Hydrangeas

Palms and Bromeliads

Pair a combination of scarlet bromeliads, gold-variegated acuba, and trailing ivy with potted Chinese fan palms. This dramatic selection adds flair to a covered space. The large palms and bromeliads grow well in bright indirect light or dappled shade and grow well indoors when there is a threat of frost. Let the soil begin to dry before watering.

Sago Palms

Fill large urns with sago palms, white Epimedium, and variegated ivy for a stunning arrangement to place by the front door. Place in a well-draining pot in bright, indirect light or partial shade. Sago palms are drought-tolerant, so don’t overwater them. The evergreen Epimedium features small, delicate flowers in spring.

Stately Boxwoods

Make an elegant statement along a sidewalk or path with a line of boxwoods in large containers. They require little upkeep. Place them in dappled shade, and prune them lightly to maintain shape. Once established, water only when needed, such as during dry conditions. For cooler climates, keep them moist during cold weather and don’t let them dry out.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Boxwoods

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I add height in my shade garden?

Plant shade-loving shrubs like camellias, hydrangeas, azaleas, rhododendrons, or Virginia sweetspire. Small understory trees like Japanese maples and dogwoods can also add height to the garden.

What are the best shade plants for hot weather?

Many shade plants will tolerate hot weather as long as you water them regularly. Coral bells, cranesbill, begonias, impatiens, and vinca all thrive in the shade in summer.

What should I plant in full shade?

Many ferns, begonias, hostas, coleus, and leopard plant can all be grown in deep shade. Some plants do well in full shade but require dappled light, like common impatiens, columbine, and foxglove.

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