Somecontainershave all the sun.
Although, these shady planters are having plenty of fun without it.
Plants likecaladiumsand creeping Jenny will thrive in the shade and add great color and movement to your planters.
Credit: Rob Cardillo
Shade-loving flowers aren’t too hard to findcheck your local garden store.
They look great and will thrive in full to partial shade.
And don’t forget to think vertically when designing your containers.
Credit: Laurey W.Glenn
Ahanging baskettakes advantage of any vertical space.
We gathered our favorite shade-loving plants andcontainer ideas to inspireyour planting this season.
Bright Pansies
Plant ‘Red Giant’ mustard andpurple pansiesfor a container that will thrive in some shade.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Produced by Mark Thompson
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.
Credit: Design by Mark Thompson; Photo: Robbie Caponetto; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
We usedelephant’s ear, rex begonia, nephthytis, and blue star fern.
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.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
If you’re looking for a little more color, consider adding a vivid pink orred caladium.
Vertical Shrimp Plant
Brighten a blankpatiowall with a vertical garden made with a matching set of planters.
Fill containers with potting soil and plants before mounting.
Credit: Southern Living
These picks will withstandlate-summer heatwith 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 acreeping figfor a lively arrangement.
Credit: Southern Living
The neutral planter allows the plant combination to shine.
Spectacular Coleus and Joseph’s Coat
These plants will thrive together.
Don’t keep the soil soggy, and give the grouping shade from afternoon sun.
Credit: David Hillegas
Bold Violas
Pansies and violas are ideal choices for containers in shady spots.
Caladium Style
It’s easy to maintain, and oh, does it look gorgeous.
Set it in the shade and water it often.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Verdant Coleus and Creeping Jenny
This container willthrive in part sunand part shade.
It’s a lively mix of colors and styles.
Coleus is prone to breakage so avoid windy locations.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
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 confirm it is well-draining.
Credit: David Hillegas
Using different flower varieties in the same colors adds cohesion to your container gardens without appearing too similar.
Plant in organic acidic soil with consistent moisture.
Late-Summer Coleus and SunPatiens
This cheery container is a versatile one.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
It’s a gorgeous addition to your garden style in July, August, and September.
‘Rustic Orange’ coleus(Coleus scutellarioides), Compact ‘Hot Coral’ SunPatiens (Impatienssp.
), and ‘Yellow Moon’ wishbone flower (Toreniasp.)
Credit: Ralph Anderson
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.
Credit: Van Chaplin
Water when the top inch of soil is dry and keep this group away from afternoon sun.
Layering two planting areas allows for more growing space and a unique design.
Thepurple variationblends the arrangement and complements the copper-bronze planter.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
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.
Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson
Hens and Chicks and Shade
More is more.
For a snappy statement, plant a singlesucculent selectionof hens and chicks.
Hens and chicks are great succulents for shady spots and typically require less maintenance than other container florals.
Credit: Southern Living
They like warm temperatures and sandy, rocky soil.
The leaf shapes vary, including speckled colors.
We love the array of greens and touches of plum spilling from this container.
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
Morning sun is fine, but keep this container garden out of afternoon sun.
Water when the soil is drydon’twater the plantsif the soil is still wet from rain or a previous watering.
Spruce Window Box
This window box will thrive in autumn shade.
Credit: Alison Miksch
Dwarf Alberta spruces are slow-growing, so don’t worry about having to replant the container anytime soon.
Pansies, violas, kales, and a smattering ofEnglish ivycomplete the design.
Keep the soil moist but not wet.
Credit: Melina Hammer
Stylish Violas and Ivy
These planters combine the best of all worlds.
Pretty Petunias
This dainty mix makes for a rambling container that’s easy to enjoy.
The neutral surroundings allow the colorful floral arrangement to pop against the natural wood elements.
Credit: Southern Living
Ensure the planter has drainage holes to avoid soggy soil.
Despite its island-vibe appearance, it will survive in the shade.
The tall bromeliads, a plant part of thepineapple family, deliver height to this container.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Keep the soil moist but not in standing water.
(Petunias will survive, but not always thrive, in the shade.
Best to alternate sun and shade with this container.)
Credit: Southern Living
Mix and match to create a pink paradise on your front porch.
Caladium Cacophony
Is there anything lovelier than an overflowing, unruly planting of caladiums?
They’re vibrant, and their leaf structure is supremely eye-catching.
Credit: Southern Living
We love planting different shades and varieties together for a lovely grouping that thrives in the shade.
Avoid afternoon sun and keep the soil consistently moist.
Watercolor Violas and Twinspurs
Embrace theblush and bashful trendwith this lovely, watercolor-inspired design.
Credit: Ralph Lee Anderson
Dainty ‘Strawberry Sundae’ twinspurs (Diascia hybrid) and ‘Penny Lavender Shades’ violas make a statement.
Together they’re graceful, pretty, bold, and eye-catchingplus, they’ll tolerate plenty of shade.
Enjoy blooms into the fall by cutting the plants back in late summer.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto
Caladium Combination
Add pots of complementary caladiums to perk up your steps.
This lush display adds the perfect touch of color to a shady corner of the yard.
They like humidity and filtered sunlight.
Credit: Southern Living
The impatiens will flower from late spring to fall and thrive in full shade or dappled sunlight.
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.
Credit: Southern Living
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.
Credit: Southern Living
Viola Spectrum
Flickering flames and autumn sunlight inspire this hanging planter color palette.
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.
Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Design: Mark Thompson
Deadheading encourages more blooms.
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.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
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.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
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 thebegoniasto flower.
Credit: Laurey W. Glenn
Too much direct light may cause the leaves to scorch.
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?
Credit: Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
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 manycompact varietiesthat grow well in pots, depending on your zone.
This dramatic selection adds flair to a covered space.
Let the soil begin to dry before watering.
Place in a well-draining pot in bright, indirect light or partial shade.
Sago palms are drought-tolerant, so dont overwater them.
The evergreenEpimediumfeatures small, delicate flowers in spring.
They require little upkeep.
Place them in dappled shade, andprune 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 dont let them dry out.
Small understory trees like Japanese maples and dogwoods can also add height to the garden.
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.
Many ferns, begonias, hostas, coleus, and leopard plant can all be grown in deep shade.
