34 Shade-Loving Plants for Containers and Hanging Baskets

Looking to add color to a shady spot in the yard or under a covered patio or porch? Here is our list of perennials that love life in the shade.

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By: Jacquelyn McGilvray

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Succulents

You may think all succulents love the sun, but the truth is there are several that do better in light shade, especially during the summer months. They can tolerate some morning sun, but the scorching afternoon sun may fry them to a crisp. How do you know if your succulents need more sun? If they start to get leggy and weak and refuse to flower, then move them to a spot with more sun. Succulents that like shade include: fairy crassula, sedum, aloe vera, jade, devil’s backbone, many different kinds of Sansevieria (snake plant) and kalanchoe. Good vine-like or cascading succulents for shade include wax plant, burrow tail, mistletoe cactus, string of pearls, string of hearts and rosary vine, Christmas cactus, Easter cactus and night blooming cereus.

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Succulent Collection

Hens-and-Chicks

Another popular succulent, hens and chicks (sempervivums) are both shade and sun tolerant. Some varieties will hit peak color in the summer while others will do so in the winter. With the right combination, you can leave your container on the porch and experience color all year long. This combo includes 'Grammens' (Zones 5-8); 'Bronco' (Zones 5-8), 'Thayne' (Zones 5-8); 'Pinkerine' (Zones 5-8) and 'C. William' (Zones 5-8).

Hen and Chicks: All About These Popular Succulents

Hosta

This common shade garden plant can make a happy home in pots. All hostas like rich, well-drained soil. They don’t like dry conditions so provide ample water and spread mulch around them to help retain moisture. Most hostas grow best in part shade, although some varieties can tolerate a little direct sunshine. Hostas' spikey white to lavender blooms beckon bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, but, unfortunately, their leafy green foliage is a tasty treat for deer and rabbits.

Learn More: Hostas: How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hostas

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Lamium

Also known as deadnettle, this easy-care perennial is part of the mint family. It’s a shade lover with silvery foliage that blooms in the summer, producing clusters of pink or white flowers that resemble snapdragons. It is often grown as a ground cover but can look absolutely charming in a shady pot as a standalone or as a spiller mixed with other shade lovers.

BUY ONLINE: The Home Depot, $14.99

Brunnera

Also known as Siberian bugloss or heartleaf brunnera, Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' is valued for both its silver, heart-shaped foliage and light blue blooms that appear in spring. Hardy in Zones 3 to 10, 'Jack Frost' can be used in containers or as a groundcover in a mixed perennial border in part shade. And its fuzzy, silvery leaves are deer- and rabbit-resistant. Brunnera mixes well with other shade lovers including hosta, primrose and bleeding heart.

Learn More: 30 Deer-Resistant Plants

Begonia

The begonia family is huge, the topline way to divide the varieties up is by root type. Tuberous begonias are a herbaceous perennial that is usually grown outdoors. Begonias with fine-fibrous root systems are best as houseplants. Both kinds prefer low light and well-drained soil. Tuberous begonias will bloom all summer long in the right conditions. In the warmer climates, plant them in dappled to full shade. Up north, give it some more sun. Many tubers can easily overwinter in a pot. Place the pot into a non-freezing, cool, dark location for winter. Barely water once a month. Tubers will start sprouting in spring, signaling it’s time to move the plant into bright light. Begonias look great next to other shade-loving perennials like hosta and heuchera.

Learn More: 9 Beautiful Begonias

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Fuchsia

Fuchsia prefer temps between 55° to 80° Fahrenheit, if the thermometer consistently stays higher than that they'll probably stop flowering. In regions with naturally cool summers, fuchsias will easily thrive, In warmer climates, fall is a great time to enjoy fuschia. They come in a variety of colors with unique flowers, most all of which spill beautifully over the sides of hanging baskets and tall containers.

Learn More: How to Care for Fuchsias

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Daisy Garden Fuchsia Flower Seeds

Herbs

Several culinary perennials much prefer to stay in the shade, especially in the heat of the summer. Create interest and lots of flavor by mixing several herbs in one convenient container near your kitchen door. This shady herb garden includes trailing rosemary, spearmint, parsley, thyme (choose flavors you like), cilantro and oregano.

See More Photos: 24 Herbs That Grow in Some Shade

Hydrangea

There are several compact varieties of hydrangea that make perfect pot dwellers. The biggest challenge to growing hydrangeas in pots is providing sufficient water. They’ll need more water than their in-the-ground counterparts. Plant in big pots, a minimum of 18" to 20" across. This size will provide enough soil to give roots room to spread and to keep you from having to water multiple times a day. Place your hydrangea pots so that they receive morning sun and afternoon shade in all climates.

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Primrose

There is a slew of primrose varieties. Probably the most popular is the early-spring bloomers that pop just when you most need a vibrant burst of color. Primrose is evergreen in most parts of the country. They can stand some sun in the winter months but make sure you’ve got them tucked into the shade when summer comes. Check with your local extension or garden center to see what type of primrose grows best in your area.

Learn More: How to Grow and Care for Primrose Flowers

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Ferry Morse Primrose Seeds

Ferns

Ferns in hanging baskets are the quintessential front porch accessory, and they're so easy to grow and care for! Keep your ferns out of direct midday sun and make sure to give them enough water to keep the soil damp. A couple of inches of organic mulch will help keep them moist and healthy. Also make sure they are protected from wind and heavy rains.

Learn More: Ferns Are Made for the Shade

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Boston Fern

Agapanthus

'Blue Storm' agapanthus was created to have a long flowering window — up to 10 weeks. The leaves of this agapanthus, which can thrive in partial shade, grow up to 2 inches, but flower stems soar to 30 inches. Pair this African beauty with a spiller to create a striking container garden.

Learn More: Best Thriller Plants for Containers

Loropetalum

Loropetalum 'Purple Pixie’ is a dwarf Chinese fringe-flower that grows 1’ to 2’ in length. It cascades making it a wonderful specimen for a large container or use it as a ground cover. In spring, it blooms with pink tassel-shaped flowers. It is drought tolerant and deer resistant.

Learn More: 30 Deer-Resistant Plants

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Bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia 'Miss Piggy' is an evergreen that pops with pink blooms in early- to mid-spring. The deep-green, somewhat shiny foliage stands upright so it can serve as a filler in any container long after the blooms have gone. Bergenia can get up to 18 inches tall and will spread out to 32 inches, so you may want to divide it after a season or two.

Bleeding Heart

These eye-catching, spring-blooming perennials like moist, well-drained soil. They are not drought tolerant, however, they will perish if kept in soggy soil, so you'll need to find just the right watering schedule. If you choose to grow bleeding hearts in a container, choose a big pot and give them plenty of room to spread, they will get as wide as they are tall, which can be up to 2' to 3'. After they flower, separate the plants into several pots and give them to friends.

Learn More: Keep Bleeding Hearts Close to Home

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Astilbe

For perennial shade flowers, try astilbe (aka - false spirea, meadowsweet and false goat’s beard). Get a mix of varieties with different bloom times for a parade of color all summer long. Astilbes have feathery, plume-like blooms that will stand above ferny foliage making them the perfect thriller in a mixed container garden. They can range in size from 6" to 24", so be sure to get a variety that will fit your containers. Astible likes moist well-drained soil. They can take some sun in northern climates, but too much sun can burn their pretty plumes. Astilbes will attract butterflies and look great in fresh floral arrangements.

Learn More: Growing Astilbe

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Sprinter Boxwood

Sprinter boxwood (Buxus microphylla) is a fast-growing shrub with excellent hardiness. For years, 'Winter Gem' boxwood has set the standard for boxwood hardiness, and Sprinter is an improved version of that. Choose Sprinter boxwood for your hedge, and plants will fill in quickly. This boxwood grows 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. It's hardy in Zones 5-8.

Phlox

Tall garden phlox (Phlox paniculata) is an old-fashioned perennial that fills midsummer with perfumed color. Flowers open in shades of pink, red, purple, white and various bicolor combinations. The blooms release a sweet fragrance that wafts through the garden on sultry summer days. This beauty is sold as Flame Series coral garden phlox. The Flame Series is a group of naturally dwarf, compact garden phlox that grows 15 to 18 inches tall — a perfect height for containers. Plants boast strong disease resistance and a naturally bushy form. Hardy in Zones 3-8.

See More Photos: 15 Phlox Plants to Try in Your Garden

Carex 'Toffee Twist'

Slender, bronze-green foliage forms a loose mound to 18" tall and 12" wide. A cool-season grass, 'Toffee Twist' grows actively in spring and fall — whenever temperatures stay below about 75° F. Give it moist, well-drained soil or potting soil in part shade to full sun. Cut back by two-thirds in early spring.

Learn More: Using Grasses in Containers

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Clematis

Clematis has about 300 species and an even bigger number of hybrids. With that many to choose from you should be able to find one that will grow in your yard’s conditions in just the right color. And as an additional bonus, there are varieties of clematis that are evergreen. Check with your local extension or garden center to see what does well in your area. Vining clematis looks wonderful in a container climbing up an arbor, pergola or trellis. Clematis does best in moist, well-drained soil. Plant them deeply and add mulch, but don’t pile up the mulch around the stems, it can cause wilting. Fill the rest of the container with flowering annuals or other small, shade-loving perennials.

Learn More: 17 Different Types of Clematis

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Lungwort

If you have a spot where hosta, ferns and bleeding-heart grow well, you should include lungwort in the mix. Also known as cowslip or Bethlehem sage, lungwort is ignored by deer and rabbits. Lungwort is an early spring bloomer that stages a great display with flowers that change colors from bud to faded bloom. Its silver-flecked leaves look good all season, and some varieties are semi-evergreen in warmer climates.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $15.95

English Ivy

English ivy is a popular container plant for many reasons. It looks great as a spiller mixed with flowering plants or other textural greenery like ferns and hostas. It is perfect for the lazy gardener, just give it a little water when it gets dry and you're good to go. English ivy is available in a variety of sizes and variegated green and white foliage. It’s also evergreen, so it’ll look great with your spring and summer bloomers as well your fall mums, winter cabbages and cold-hardy pansies.

BUY ONLINE: Terrain, $88.00

Mint

Mint comes in a variety of fragrances, including peppermint, spearmint, apple, chocolate and orange. Harvest it to flavor teas, salad or cocktails. Mint is best grown in a container because it is a quick grower and tends to be invasive.

Get the Recipe: Frozen Mint Julep Cocktail Recipe

From: Lynn Coulter

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Columbine

Columbine is easy to grow because it adapts to a wide variety of conditions. In warmer climates, site it in a shady spot and in colder climates, give it some morning sun. Columbine attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, but deer and rabbits will leave it alone. It will self-seed so put it in a container that offers room to grow. Columbine varieties offer an array of colors and growing height.

BUY ONLINE: The Home Depot, $7.78, Pack of 3

Fatsia

Fatsia japonica (Japanese Aralia) is the center of attention in this handsome container. Fatsia may look tropical but it is evergreen in Zones 7-9. Use it as your container’s anchor then add colorful annuals as companions. Fatsia blooms in autumn with clusters of tiny white flowers then develops bird-friendly berries. Fatsia is often used as a houseplant in colder climates, so don’t be afraid to bring it indoors for the winter.

Rosemary

Rosemary can be such a versatile part of your landscape. This easy-to-grow herb is known to be a sun lover, but it can also thrive with heavy afternoon shade. Rosemary - whether it’s a variety that grows upright or spills like ivy - makes a great ornamental addition to large containers and hanging baskets. It’s evergreen above Zone 6 and does prefer moist, well-drained soil. Harvest it to season meats, potatoes and even cocktails.

Learn More: 24 Herbs That Grow in Some Shade

From: Katrina Fairchild

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Chef's Rosemary

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny (aka - moneywort) is a ubiquitous ground cover because it's easy to grow, but it can be aggressive, so using it in a container is a smart idea. It prefers soil on the moist side and it grows well in sun or shade although it may acquire a golden hue if kept in a sunny spot. In the deep cold, the color will fade, but next season it will strike back with a vengeance.

BUY ONLINE: The Home Depot, $14.98

Heucheras

Heucheras — also known as coral bells or alumroot — is striking in borders with other shade-loving perennials, but they also look fabulous planted solo in containers. This hardy perennial is evergreen so plant it in a container that will lend interest to your winter landscape. Heucheras prefer partial shade but can take more sun in cold climates. Heucheras are also deer and rabbit resistant.

Learn More: Planting Coral Bells: How to Grow and Care for These Colorful Perennials

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'Snow Cap' Sedge

If you need a dose of brightness in your shade containers, the white leaves of 'Snow Cap', a broad-leaved sedge will do the trick. This white-striped grass will add a lighter tone and additional texture to a spot with other greens like hosta or ferns. Or place it in a pot with spilling ivy or flowering annuals. This low-maintenance sedge will get 6" to 8" tall so it’ll make a great border planting as well.

BUY ONLINE: The Home Depot, $29.99

Cypress

Similar to a boxwood hedge, potted cypress works well in containers. For the best growth possible, place potted cypress in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. As far as watering is concerned, cypress can rot easily if oversaturated, so it’s best to water it in the morning to allow for proper evaporation before the sun fades. If you plan on pairing it with annuals, do so with ones that don't need a lot of watering.

Musk Geranium

Musk geranium is an aromatic, hardy perennial with gray-green lobed leaves and pink flowers. It's most valued for its distinctive, warm musky fragrance, primarily used in perfume and potpourri. For best results, plant musk geranium where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

BUY ONLINE: Monticello Shop, $12.00

Toad Lily

Toad lilies burst in the fall with beautiful speckled orchid-like flowers, but even when not in bloom, its lush foliage is super attractive. The pollinator-friendly flowers are so pretty, you’ll want to enjoy them up close, so site them in a container close to your outdoor living space. The cut stems also make a great addition to fresh floral arrangements. Keep toad lilies’ soil moist and amend with organic matter. They don’t spread too quickly so you can keep them in the same container for two to three years before you’ll have to divide them. Deer and rabbit have a taste for toad lilies so keep them protected.

BUY ONLINE: Lowe's, $25.24, Pack of 5

Hellebores

Hellebores - also known as Lenten Rose or Christmas Rose - are beloved for their timing. In late winter, when most everything in the garden looks drab and lifeless, hellebores bloom in colors ranging from white, light pink to deep purple. This perennial grows about 2' tall and rarely needs dividing, so it won’t outgrow container gardens too quickly. These shade-lovers are drought tolerant once they are established making them ideal for gardeners who like plants that require minimal fuss. They are also deer and rabbit resistant.

Learn More: Hellebores Varieties: Made for Shade

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Hakone Grass, Siberian Bugloss + Heuchera

A mix of hakone grass (aka - Japanese forest grass), two varieties of heuchera (aka - coral bells) and Siberian bugloss combine to make a cascading basket full of dramatic texture and earthy color. Hakone grass is one of the best ornamental grasses for shade containers, it is slow growing and spills nicely. The color may change from deep green to lime green depending on the amount of shade. Siberian bugloss has variegated heart-shaped foliage and in the spring it blooms with the tiny, darling blue flowers. It gets about 12" to 18" tall and it mounds and spills beautifully making it perfect for containers, hanging baskets and baskets. This shade lover likes moist soil and can tolerate some sun in northern climates. Heuchera is mentioned earlier in this collection (slide #23).

Learn More: Heartleaf Brunnera, Siberian Bugloss

34 Shade-Loving Plants for Containers and Hanging Baskets

Related To:

Shop This Look

Succulents

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Succulent Collection

Hens-and-Chicks

Hosta

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Lamium

Brunnera

Begonia

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Fuchsia

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Daisy Garden Fuchsia Flower Seeds

Herbs

Hydrangea

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Primrose

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Ferry Morse Primrose Seeds

Ferns

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Boston Fern

Agapanthus

Loropetalum

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Bergenia

Bleeding Heart

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Astilbe

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Sprinter Boxwood

Phlox

Carex 'Toffee Twist'

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Clematis

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Lungwort

English Ivy

Mint

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Columbine

Fatsia

Rosemary

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Chef's Rosemary

Creeping Jenny

Heucheras

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'Snow Cap' Sedge

Cypress

Musk Geranium

Toad Lily

Hellebores

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Hakone Grass, Siberian Bugloss + Heuchera

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