List Shade Loving Plants

February 17, 2018 by Paul Guzie Guzman's Greenhouse Posts, Outdoor Plants, Shrubs, Vines No Comments

Last updated on May 9th, 2026 at 03:34 pm

List Shade Loving Plants. Often when I observe my landscape area I see shady spots and wonder what type of plant will do well in that area. You too have probably had those same thoughts.

So without further ado here is a list of plants that like shade.

Hostas all Varieties

Hostas are grown for their lush green color and many now come in variegated foliage. They are also called Plantain Lily and is a herbaceous perennial. They love the shade and do well in large containers as their foliage will cascade over your pots.

Caladiums

These flowering plants are in the family of Araceae. Grown for their colorful leaves and can be used in decorative pots or planted in the garden bed. However, they are considered annuals in places where temperatures drop below 32° Fahrenheit. Many gardeners also call them the Elephant’s ear.

Caladiums like to be watered a lot, especially during the hot summer seasons, but don’t keep them soggy. A little less often if indoors, about 2-3 times per week. It’s important that your containers drain well.

List Shade Loving Plants — caladium plant – Image by Jan Haerer from Pixabay

Impatiens

These plants like shade and do well in pots, small or large. They will grow to about 4-6″ in height and will spread slightly larger than their height. Put them in a small container and place them in front of the kitchen window that has shade. There are over 1,000 species of Impatiens, but the most common is the Impatiens “walleriana”. The flowers are small and grow to about 1″ in width.

Bleeding Hearts Lamprocapnos spectabilis

Another plant that tolerates lots of shade. Beautiful overhanging heart-shaped flowers. It’s in the Papaveraceae genus family. They will do great in hanging baskets underneath a pergola, porch, or patio. It is considered an annual in colder regions.

Flowering Vinca – Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus are one of the best flowering plants for adding long-lasting summer color to Southwest landscapes. They grow well in containers, hanging baskets, raised planters, or directly in the ground, and they bloom continuously through much of the warm season.

In colder climates, flowering vinca are usually grown as annuals because they are sensitive to frost. Once temperatures begin to drop in fall, the plants will normally decline and eventually die back. In very mild winter areas, they may survive longer, but most gardeners treat them as seasonal color plants.

One of the reasons Vinca is so popular is its ability to handle heat much better than many other flowering annuals. They can tolerate partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day, but they also perform very well in full sun. In Southwest gardens, a little afternoon shade can help keep the flowers looking fresher during extreme summer heat.

The key to keeping flowering vinca healthy and blooming is consistent watering during the hottest months of summer. Container-grown plants dry out especially fast and may require watering every day or every other day during intense heat. Plants growing in the ground usually need less frequent watering, depending on soil conditions and mulch coverage.

Hydrangeas – Hortensia

The blue Hydrangea is the most common. They thrive in partial shade, plant them underneath trees or on a northeast corner or wall where there is lots of shade. Nice looking mophead-looking flowers on this reblooming hydrangea below. The blue variety likes acidic soils, and the pink ones love alkaline soils. Flowers age to a vintage cream-splashed green color. Prized for cut or dried flower arrangements. They are perennial plants, but will lose their leaves during the winter season.

Bugloss Plant (Brunnera macrophylla)

This plant loves shady areas and can be planted with other types of shade plants. Is also called Siberian bugloss or “Alexander’s Great”. It produces a nice spiky flower during the spring season. Grows about 1ft, maybe 1.5 ft. tall. It thrives in good loamy organic composted soil. Do not let the soil dry out on this plant. They do well in USDA zones 3-8.

Star Jasmine – Trachelospermum jasminoides

It is a fast-growing evergreen vine that will do well in partial shade. It does not mind the hot southwest weather, but it will do better in shade. Water consistently during the summer months, as it is not a drought-tolerant vine. A very fragrant white flower that will bloom from spring until early summer. You can also use it as ground cover. It will do excellent in a container with some type of support.

Vinca Vine Catharanthus roseus Periwinkle

I really like Vinca minor because it’s one of those plants that makes life so much easier if you have a shady yard. You know those spots under a big tree where grass refuses to grow? Vinca minor fits right in there. These little green leaves spread out fast, cover the bare ground, and help block out weeds, so I don’t have to keep pulling them out. They stay pretty close to the ground, so I never worry about tall, messy plants choking out the view. The best part is, if you live where winters aren’t too cold, these glossy leaves don’t all die back; they stay green almost all year. That means good color, even in winter, when most other plants look sad. I can plant them once and not babysit them much, which works for me if I don’t want to do a lot of gardening. If you’re tired of patches of dirt under your shade trees, try Vinca minor. It’s easy, does the job, and looks good. I’d choose it every time for a problem area that needs some life. It will grow about 4″ in height and will spread 20ft. or more. It is considered an invasive plant where there is lots of rainfall.

Care of Shade-Loving Plants

Shady plants are susceptible to powdery mildew, slugs, and snails. Here are a few tips to follow to prevent mildew and snails.

Avoid overspray from lawn sprinkler heads.
Water early morning after sunrise is best.
Do NOT water at night.
Avoid overwatering your plants.
Make sure potted plants have proper drainage.
Do not plant in hard, rocky, or caliche soils.
Use copper tape to prevent snails and slugs from entering your garden.
Place a pan of beer near your shade plants. The snails love beer they will drown in it!
Purchase “Sluggo” to organically kill snails and slugs. Ask for it at your friendly neighborhood garden store. Sluggo is safe around wildlife and pets.

The best deterrent to a healthy plant is to keep it well-fed and properly watered. List Shade Loving plants.