From hanging baskets to containers, potted plants add color and style to a homes entryway.
Pairing lush foliage with lasting blooms makes for a dramatic first impression.
Weve rounded up some of the best potted plants for shadedporchesto give your home a gardeners touch.
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When selecting plants for porchcontainers, consider the homes architectural style and features.
Sun exposure also impacts plant selection.
Light intensity varies significantly from deep shade in the recesses to brighter conditions along the exterior.
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Southern exposures tend to experience brighter shade than north-facing porches, while adjacent trees impact light in both locations.
The following plants vary in the amount of light they can handle.
Let your porch size, style, and exposure guide your plant selections.
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Caladium
With bold, multicolored, heart-shaped leaves,caladiumadds flair to any container planting.
The bright foliage colors range from pink to deep red set against a range of green hues.
White and creamy accents add contrast.
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Plant them as a single specimen or combine multiple varieties for added drama.
Caladiums also pair well with impatiens, begonias, and fuchsias.
The glossy leaves are often tinged with bronze or purple hues against a vibrant dark green.
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New Guinea impatiens tolerate brighter light than traditional impatiens but require consistent moisture.
Pinch plants back if they become leggy.
The fronds of this hardy fern arch gracefully downwards, and plants thrive in humid summers.
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Boston fern is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10-13.
Purple Pixie Dwarf Weeping Loropetalum
Southern Living Plant Collection
This compact loropetalum is perfect for pots.
Loropetalum grows slowly, meaning it wont outgrow its container too quickly.
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Plants also require very little care to keep them looking good.
These perennials are available in a diversity of foliage colors, from chartreuse to purple, copper to silver.
The lighter hued varieties are perfect for brightening dark porches.
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Coral bells are winter hardy, providing colorful foliage all year long.
Fuchsia
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Fuchsiamight easily become your new favorite container plant.
Stunning bicolor blooms dangle in clusters, twirling their ruffled petals like ballerinas.
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Hummingbirds adore the blooms as much as gardeners and are attracted to the brilliant hues.
Fuchsias bloom in combinations of bright red, raspberry pink, and salmon against white or purple centers.
Plant them in hanging baskets or elevated containers to allow their blooms to flow.
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Keep soil even moist for best performance, however good drainage is a must.
Begonia
Begoniasare a beloved flowering plant for shade.
Begonias belong to a large group of plants, with several species and hybrids available commercially.
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In Southern landscapes, wax begonias and tuberous begonias are most commonly grown.
Wax begonias tolerate more sun and bloom all summer long, while tuberous begonias have more attractive foliage.
Modern breeding has introduced several hybrid cultivars, such as Dragon Wings which offer improved flowering.
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Keep an eye on water, as containers dry out quickly when supporting a thirsty shrub.
Transplant hydrangeas to the garden or a larger pot after a few years when their growth slows.
Triostar Stromanthe
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This stunning tropical plant brings plenty of color to shady containers.
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Native to the tropical rainforest, Triostar Stromanthe thrives in the high heat and humidity of the South.
Dramatic, glossy foliage shines with stripes of green, cream, and pink.
Set containers in adequate shade, as direct sun can cause leaf burn.
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Triostar pairs well with begonias and ferns.
The tubular white, blue or purple flowers attract hummingbirds to the porch.
Young plants benefit from pinching back early in the growing season to encourage branching.
Azaleas
Thriving in part shade,azaleasmake ideal container plants for the porch.
When selecting azaleas to grow in containers, consider the seasonality of different species and hybrids.
Some azaleas are deciduous while others have evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage.
The popular Encore Azaleas are both evergreen and reblooming, providing interest throughout the year.
Consider selecting a dwarf variety and use a potting mix for acid-loving plants.
Wishbone Flower
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Blooming all season long, this shade-loving annual will not disappoint.
Tubular, two-toned blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Flower colors range in combinations of pink, violet, deep purple, and white.
Some cultivars have yellow markings on the throat.
Newer hybrids offer larger flowers, improved heat tolerance, and a trailing habit.
Pinch back young plants early in the growing season to encourage bushier growth.
Container-grown gardenias do not tolerate direct sun, they perform best in filtered light or bright shade.
Gardenias are sensitive to overwatering, so allow the soil to dry slightly between watering.
For quintessential Southern style, you cant go wrong with a gardenia.
