Loving plants: 25 Shade-Loving Plants to Brighten the Dark Side of Your Yard

25 Shade-Loving Plants to Brighten the Dark Side of Your Yard

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No, not every plant wants all sunshine, all the time. Many lovely, low-maintenance options exist for those miscellaneous low-light areas of your landscape. These 25 sensational shade plant species thrive without much light.

1. Hydrangeas

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Though unfit for heavy shade, hydrangeas deliver bountiful blooms in spring and summer, with some pretty fall foliage to boot. All they need is a little morning sun. Remember to avoid planting perennials too near a tree whose roots might compete for soil nutrients.

Get hydrangeas at The Home Depot for $27.72 (1-gallon plant).

RELATED: 10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard

2. Chaenomeles

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Only some species can withstand the relatively sunless and cold conditions of a north-facing wall. Chaenomeles, or flowering quince, are perfect plants for shade. These hardy flowers can not only survive, but they do so with gusto, rewarding gardeners with a fragrant golden-yellow fruit.

Get chaenomeles on Etsy for $3 (20 seeds). 

RELATED: 19 “Zero Dollar” Garden Hacks

3. Lady Ferns

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Ferns—lady ferns, especially—come about as close as any plant gets to being able to grow in total darkness. The playful fronds of this hardy shade plant initially develop in a pleasing shade of light green, then darken as the fern matures.

Get lady ferns from Burpee for $11.95 (per plant).

RELATED: 8 Top Tools for Taming Your Landscape

4. Bleeding Hearts

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In many hardiness zones, Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra spectabilis) carries its pink or white, heart-shaped flowers from spring through early summer. Satisfyingly easy to grow, this exotic-looking perennial shade plant stands out from the rest in low-light garden beds.  

Get bleeding hearts on Etsy for $13.99 (5 seeds).

RELATED: The Invincible Yard: 17 Ideas for Lazy Landscaping

5. Dogwood

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Many dogwood varieties don’t need sun and will tolerate partial- to full-shade conditions. One spectacular species to try is Cornus florida, a tree with reddish-purple fall color surpassed only by its famous white flowers in spring.

Get dogwood on Amazon for $32.90.

RELATED: 25 No-Effort Plants for a Foolproof Landscape

6. Begonias

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Use begonias to add vibrancy to container gardens placed in shady spots of your patio. A range of hues appear, even in a single bloom, and if stored in a dry spot over winter, their tubers can be recycled the following year.

Get Vermilion Red begonias from Burpee for $24.95 (four plants).

RELATED: Liven Up Your Winter Porch with 8 Cold-Loving Plants

7. Dutchman’s Pipe

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Known for dense foliage, unusual purple flowers, and its ability to spread, Aristolochia macrophylla, or Dutchman’s Pipe, is a fast-growing shade plant that can reach heights of up to 30 feet tall (with the right guidance) and is just one of many stunning climbers for shade.

Get Dutchman’s pipe from White Flower Farm for $31.95.

RELATED: 10 Common Garden Problems—and How to Fix Them

8. Impatiens

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One of the most ubiquitous flowers in the U.S., impatiens flowers also are among the most shade tolerant. More than 1,000 species are available. Experiment with an exotic variety, such as Impatiens balsamina or Impatiens rosulata.

Get impatiens at Burpee for $6.95 (30 seeds) or $25.95 (12 plants).

9. Foamflower

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The forgiving foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) boasts two especially appealing attributes. One, its attractive flower spikes grow tall and two, it can cover large areas of your shaded garden with subtly enchanting foliage.

Get foamflower on Etsy for $13.27 (5 bulbs).

10. Astilbe

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Tough enough to handle shady spots with moist or wet soil, astilbe—instantly recognizable by virtue of its colorful spikes—arrests the eye when grown in clumps. Be sure to divide this perennial once fall comes around again.

Get astilbe on Etsy for $4.89 (25+ seeds).

11. Coleus

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Coleus doesn’t need flowers to make a colorful splash in your garden. Its leaves are flashy enough, and come in rich reds, greens, purples, yellows, and oranges—perfect for standing out among your other garden plants that don’t need sun. Each variety of this plant boasts different leaf textures, whether scalloped, velvety, or fringed—and add incredible depth and variety to shady beds in any landscape.

Get coleus from Burpee for $4.95 (20 seeds).

RELATED: 10 Fast-Growing Plants for (Almost) Instant Curb Appeal

12. Pulmonaria

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Known commonly as lungwort, pulmonaria has a reputation for being one of the easiest low-light perennial plants for shade. Growing 6 to 12 inches tall, and blooming in blues, pinks, and whites, it makes an excellent ground cover to complement other early spring bloomers, like daffodils.

Get pulmonaria on Etsy for $7.99.

RELATED: The Best 15 Plants to Grow for Backyard Privacy

13. Hellebore

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Hellebore is essentially evergreen and ever easy to care for. Often called Lenten rose because they bloom early in spring close to the season of Lent, they will rouse you out of winter doldrums, and continue to bloom all season long. Hellebores love shade, but will tolerate part sun in most planting zones.

Get hellebore from Burpee for $21.95 (one plant).

RELATED: 11 Age-Old Gardening Tips to Ignore Completely

14. Toad Lily

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With orchid-like blossoms ranging from white, to pink, to purple, the toad lily (Tricyrtis) serves up exotic autumn color. This perennial enjoys full to partial shade, and will delight you every year as summer comes to an end.

Get toad lily on Etsy for $4.95 (15+ seeds).

RELATED: 14 Totally Free Ways to Grow a Garden from Scratch

15. Caladium

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Though it doesn’t flower, shade-loving caladium will treat you to robust foliage color all summer long. With varieties ranging from white, to dark reds, and brilliantly variegated, this bulb will not disappoint. In hotter zones, you can leave this easy-care shade plant in its bed at the end of the season, and it might return the following year. Or dig it out of the ground to overwinter, and then replant it the following spring.

Get Caladium on Etsy for $8.95 (six bulbs).

RELATED: 15 Plants Never to Grow in Your Yard

16. Bee Balm

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Bee balm (Monarda) does best in a sunny corner of the yard, but it can tolerate shade quite well. A member of the mint family, this pollinator plant will spread, so divide it every few years to bring bright color to adjacent garden beds. This native also brings bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden.

Get bee balm from Burpee for $13.95 (one plant).

RELATED: 3 Container Garden Combos for Attracting Pollinators

17. Lily of the Valley

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With delicate blooms that resemble bells, lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) can spread throughout a shaded area to provide low-maintenance ground cover. Although beautiful, this flowering plant is highly poisonous, so avoid planting it if you have cats, dogs, or young children at home.

Get lily of the valley on Etsy for $14.59 (five bulbs).

18. Myrtle

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Growing in sun or shade, myrtle (Myrtus) is a drought-tolerant shrub that does best in temperate climes. A deer- and disease-resistant plant, some species can grow to be 8 to 12 feet high and make an attractive hedge. Smaller species, like a dwarf myrtle, are terrific for decorative outdoor garden pots.

Get myrtle on Etsy for $18.88 (one plant in a 6-inch pot).

19. Hosta

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Shade-loving, low-maintenance hosta is a busy gardener’s dream plant. Each type of hosta thrives best in slightly different light conditions: For a deeply shaded garden bed, choose hostas of a dark green color; for gardens in partial shade, opt for hostas in lighter or variegated varieties.

Get Minuteman hosta from Burpee for $19.95 (three plants).

RELATED: 50 Plants That Thrive in Any Yard

20. Heuchera

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Also known as coral bells or alumroot, these low-habit plants provide seasonal color even when not in bloom with their dark purple foliage. Heuchera is resistant to drought and can be grown in full sun or shade.

Get heuchera from Burpee for $13.95 (one plant).

21. Euphorbia

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Euphorbia, or spurge plants, are known for their green-yellow flowers that instantly add brightness to dark backyard areas or decorative beds that are begging to be filled out. These flowering plants come in more than 2,300 species, including perennials, annuals, and biennials. They grow well in partial or full sun, but certain varieties, like the marsh spurge (Euphorbia palustris), love light shade and cool ground.

These plants typically grow with woody green stems, and they’re better to look at than to touch. Whenever you handle these types of plants, you must wear gloves and beware the sap—it’s an irritant and poisonous.

Get Euphorbia on Etsy for $6.50 (25 seeds).

22. English Ivy

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If you appreciate a shade-loving climber, English ivy is a must. With its dark green leaves and thick coverage, these plants can cover walls, or be trained to climb up and spread out over pergolas, trees, fences, or other structures. They can cling to almost any surface thanks to small roots that grow along their stems.

Expect the vines to grow very slowly in the first year, gain momentum in year two, and by year three, English ivy becomes a fast-moving plant. These plants grow best when they’re watered often, but once they’ve firmly established themselves, they can tolerate dry conditions.

Get English ivy from Etsy for $9.95 (20 cuttings).

RELATED: These Popular Plants Might Actually Be Bad for Your Garden

23. Foxglove

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Easily identified by their tall spires of bell-shaped blossoms, foxglove (Digitalis) gives a garden varying heights of beautiful flowers. Foxglove is a woodland plant that fares best in dappled or partial shade, especially if the shade hits in the afternoon. Under the right conditions, these plants grow up to five feet tall.

Many species of foxglove are biennials, which means they spend their first year growing foliage, and the second year flowering before dying off. The plants usually reseed themselves, so you could wind up having flowers every year.

Get foxglove at Burpee for $28.95 (four plants).

RELATED: 10 Tall Plants for an Interesting Landscape

24. Primrose

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Primula, or primrose plants, fare best in environments with woodland-like growing conditions. They need shade (or partial shade) and moist soil to produce explosions of colorful flowers in shades of pink, yellow, orange, and more. Expect the blooms to show up in early spring, but with some species the flowers show up much later.

With more than 400 species of primula out there, you can find ones that grow to only a few inches or up to 4 feet tall. The best part is, these plants need very little attention, growing well on their own or in a flower bed with other spring flowers.

Get primula on Etsy for $7.49 (20 seeds).

25. Aquilegia

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Aquilegia plants are also called columbines or Granny’s bonnet, thanks to their bonnet-shaped flowers. This easy-to-grow perennial generally has dark green stems and leaves, which transition to a maroon color come autumn. In general, aquilegia prefers partial shade, where it won’t get too hot.

In spring, the flowers bloom in plenty of different colors, and these blossoms are sought out by hummingbirds. Regular deadheading will encourage extra blooming, so you can get the most beauty from your flowers. Once they’re established in your garden beds, aquilegia readily multiply with no extra effort from you.

Get Aquilegia from Etsy for $2.24 (50 seeds).

RELATED: 11 Perennials to Plant in the Fall for Beautiful Spring Flowers

Prices listed here are current as of publication on March 24, 2022.

Best Shade Plants for Pots & Shade Container Ideas

Liven up dark corners of your garden with these tips and plant combinations that thrive in low light.
By Janet Loughrey, Garden Writer & Photographer

Nearly every gardener has experienced the problem of too much shade, which can cause plants to become too leggy or fail to thrive. Whether it’s a wooded suburban lot or a north-facing apartment balcony, low light means more growing challenges. Rather than being problematic, these dark areas can be viewed as an opportunity. Adding containers to shady spots is a practical way to optimize these spaces.

Add additional color with brightly colored or shiny metal pots combined with lighter or contrasting hues of foliage and flowers. Decorative arrangements can brighten up even the darkest corner of a porch, deck, or entryway.

On this page:

• 11 SHADE PLANTS FOR POTS
• TIPS FOR CHOOSING PLANTS
• CONTAINER IDEAS FOR SHADE
• OPTIMIZE GROWING CONDITIONS

11 SHADE PLANTS FOR POTS

Surefire® Rose begonia. Photo by Proven Winners.

BEGONIA

Zones: 8-11, grown as an annual in most regions
Exposure: Partial sun to shade
Habit: Mounding, bushy, or upright habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 36 inches tall, 6 to 12 inches wide

This versatile annual is grown for its exceptionally long bloom time and wide range of flower colors and leaf patterns. Use as a “filler” element in a mixed container arrangement alongside trailing vinca and upright coleus. Use to brighten up window boxes and hanging baskets in challenging shade areas.

Learn more about growing begonias.

Pictured: Surefire® Rose begonia from Proven Winners

Sprinter® Boxwood. Photo by: Proven Winners.

BOXWOOD

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Part sun to dappled shade
Habit: Mounding or upright habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 20 feet tall, 2 to 8 feet wide

Widely used in formal landscapes, boxwood shrubs lend structure and year-round color. Shape into sculptural topiaries and place in classic urns on either side of a porch or entryway for an elegant first impression.

Learn more about growing boxwood.

Pictured: Sprinter® boxwood from Proven Winners

ColorBlaze® Dipt in Wine coleus. Photo by Proven Winners.

COLEUS

Zones: 10-11, grown as an annual in most regions
Exposure: Partial sun to shade; protect from hot afternoon sun
Habit: Mounding, upright, or trailing habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 26 inches tall and wide

Coleus is a staple of summertime gardens, grown for its nearly endless palette of leaf colors from purple to chartreuse, and stained glass patterns that add bold exuberance to any landscape. Use upright forms as a “thriller” element, mounding types as a “filler”, or trailers as a “spiller” in a container.

Learn more about growing coleus.

Pictured: ColorBlaze® Dipt in Wine from Proven Winners

Maidenhair fern. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

FERN

Zones: 3-11
Exposure: Partial sun to shade
Habit: Varies according to genus and species
Height/Spread: Varies according to genus and species

Learn more about different types of ferns.

Add a naturalized woodland effect to your landscape with the lush look of ferns. Many are reliably hardy and do well in containers, such as Japanese painted fern, maidenhair fern, wood fern, and lady fern. Plant as a stand-alone element in a formal container or hanging basket. Combine as a “filler” with coleus, creeping Jenny, vinca, caladium, or coral bells.

‘Dancing Flame’ fuchsia. Photo by: Janet Loughrey.

FUCHSIA

Zones: 6-11 depending on variety; most are treated as annuals in colder regions
Exposure: Partial sun to shade; most need protection from hot afternoon sun
Habit: Upright, bushy, or trailing habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 72 inches tall and 6 to 48 inches wide

Fuchsias come in a dizzying array of flower colors, with prolific bloom through much of the growing season. One of the most popular hanging basket plants, trailing varieties are also suited to window boxes. Use an upright form such as ‘Gartenmeister’ as a “thriller” in a container by itself or in combination with other shade lovers.

Honeymoon® Paris in Pink. Photo by: Proven Winners.

HELLEBORE

Zones: 4-9; evergreen in 6-9
Exposure: Partial sun to partial shade
Habit: Mounding or upright habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 48 inches tall and 12 to 36 inches wide

Winter-flowering hellebores are prized for their evergreen foliage and range of flower colors at a time when little else is in bloom. These tough carefree perennials do well in containers by themselves or with other winter bloomers such as small witch hazels and early bulbs including crocus and snowdrops.

Learn more about growing hellebores.

Pictured: Honeymoon® Paris in Pink from Proven Winners

Primo® ‘Pretty Pistachio’, Primo® ‘Mahogany Monster’, and Primo® ‘Black Pearl’. Photo by: Proven Winners.

HEUCHERA, CORAL BELLS

Zones: 4-9
Exposure: Partial sun to partial shade
Habit: Mounding or spreading habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 18 inches tall and 12 to 30 inches wide

One of the most versatile perennials, coral bells are valued for their range of foliage shapes and colors, ease of growing and tolerance of a wide range of light and soil conditions. Color coordinate as a “filler” in a cheerful ceramic container alongside coleus, small ornamental grasses, astilbe, or hosta.

Learn more about growing coral bells.

Pictured: (top to bottom) Primo® ‘Pretty Pistachio’, Primo® ‘Mahogany Monster’, Primo® ‘Black Pearl’ from Proven Winners

Shadowland® ‘Autumn Frost’. Photo by: Proven Winners.

HOSTA

Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
Habit: Mounding spreading habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 48 inches tall and 14 to 72 inches wide

Known as queen of the shade border, hosta is grown for its attractive foliage in an array of colors, patterns and sizes. This easy-care perennial can be used as a stand-alone accent in a container or combined with ferns, astilbe, bleeding heart, lungwort, barrenwort, or spring bulbs.

Learn more about growing hostas.

Pictured: Shadowland® ‘Autumn Frost’ from Proven Winners

Little Quick Fire® hydrangea. Photo by: Proven Winners.

HYDRANGEA

Zones: 3-9
Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
Habit: Mounding or upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 12 feet wide

A favorite summer-blooming shrub, with dwarf varieties such as Little Quick Fire® or Invincibelle Wee White® performing well in containers. Long-lasting flowers in an array of colors are eye-catching by themselves or when underplanted with impatiens, begonias, ferns, or lady’s mantle.

Learn more about growing hydrangeas.

Pictured: Little Quick Fire® from Proven Winners

Infinity® Blushing Crimson. Photo by Proven Winners.

IMPATIENS

Zones: 10-12, grown as an annual in most regions
Exposure: Partial sun to full shade
Habit: Mounding spreading habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 36 inches tall and 1 to 3 feet wide

For nonstop bloom all summer long, nothing beats impatiens for brightening up deeply shaded areas. With a wide range of flower colors, impatiens are most commonly used as a bedding plant, though they thrive in containers as well. Mass in a color bowl or use as a “filler” in shaded window boxes and hanging baskets.

Learn more about growing impatiens.

Pictured: Infinity® Blushing Crimson from Proven Winners

‘Clown Violet’ and ‘Clown Pink’ torenia. Photo by: Janet Loughrey.

TORENIA, WISHBONE FLOWER

Zones: 10-11, grown as an annual in most regions
Exposure: Partial sun to shade
Habit: Mounding or trailing habit
Height/Spread: 8 to 16 inches tall, 8 to 12 inches wide, trailing up to 36 inches long

This underutilized annual blooms prolifically all summer long with snapdragon-like flowers in a range of colors that brighten up deeply shaded areas. Mass in a color bowl or combine with small ferns, hosta, astilbe, or coral bells.

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Featured in: Garden Design’s Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022 (“Maximizing Balconies & Porches”)

TIPS FOR CHOOSING SHADE PLANTS FOR POTS

• Many garden specimens will thrive equally well in containers, given the right conditions.
• A single plant, such as Japanese maple or bamboo, can be just as compelling as a combination.
• Plants with attractive foliage, like coleus, offer reliable season-long color with a nearly endless array of colors. Other reliable foliage standbys include Japanese painted fern, sweet potato vine, and Rex begonias.
• Flowering plants like impatiens, fuchsias, or begonias such as ‘Bonfire’ add color. One underutilized alternative to annual bedding impatiens is Torenia (wishbone flower), which blooms consistently over several months in colors of blue, purple, pink, and yellow.
• There are no hard and fast rules to mixing and matching plants for shade containers. Breaking the rules can result in some unexpectedly delightful surprises.

CONTAINER IDEAS FOR SHADE

Pots in this shaded entry garden are grouped together for greater impact. Phyllostachys nigra (black bamboo), offers structure and height. Other plants include ‘Kong’, ‘Sedona’ and ‘Chocolate Mint’ coleus, ‘Mardi Gras’ and ‘Margarita’ sweet potato vines, and ‘Bonfire’ begonia. Photo by: Janet Loughrey. Design by: JJ De Sousa.

For shade containers, Vina Winters chooses a foliage specimen such as Hypoestes (polka dot plant) and pairs it with a similarly hued flower such as tuberous begonia. Soft shield and maidenhair ferns provide contrasting texture and shape. Photo by: Janet Loughrey. Design by: Vina Winters.

A stump is cleverly recycled as the base for a shallow log container that blends perfectly with the landscape. The emphasis is on woodland foliage, with hart’s tongue and deer ferns, moss, and native sedums. A small hellebore and Hosta ‘Tiny Mice’ complete this serene combination. Photo by: Janet Loughrey. Design by: Vina Winters.

A north-facing wall is softened by this hanging planter of pink impatiens and fuchsias flanked by ‘Kingswood Torch’ coleus. Asarina (climbing snapdragon) adds height, while ‘Margarita’ sweet potato vines trail gracefully over the side. Photo by: Janet Loughrey. Design by: Lucy Hardiman.

The crimson hue of mophead hydrangeas is echoed by red tuberous begonias planted in a teal, ceramic pot. Coleus ‘Wizard Sport’, black mondo grass, and creeping Jenny create a layered effect. Photo by: Janet Loughrey. Design by: Vina Winters.

This secluded riverside retreat is adorned with million bells, impatiens, and ferns. ‘Religious Radish’ coleus and ‘Bonfire’ begonias in a pot alongside the bench provide a dramatic burst of color. Photo by: Janet Loughrey. Design by: Cheryl Borden.

OPTIMIZE GROWING CONDITIONS

• Good growing conditions are essential to healthy shade container plantings. Use high-quality potting soil and replenish it annually. (See more: Potting Soil 101.)
• Mix a time-release fertilizer into the top several inches of soil before planting.
• Frequent watering during hot summer months causes nutrients to quickly leach out of the soil. To counter this, supplement with a water-soluble fertilizer every other week in midsummer.

Get inspired with more shade container recipes from Proven Winners.

RELATED:
20 Great Plants for Shade
Container Gardens
Container Plants for Sun

11 most lively indoor plants – INMYROOM

Interior decor

Cypress, succulents and African violets – all these plants tolerate the lack of good lighting and heat, which makes them a great option for our realities

Despite the chilly time
year, your collection of flowers can be replenished: there are plants that calmly endure cold and lack of good
lighting. And many of them not only look great, but in addition have additional
useful properties.

Oxalis red

This small colorful plant
with pale pink flowers is famous for its resistance to moderate or even low
light and not too high temperatures, so it is ideal
an option, say, for a bedroom, even one where the curtains are often left drawn. And she just blooms
closer to winter.

Zamioculcas

This plant is difficult to
pronounceable name will suit those who have the most distant
an idea of ​​how to care for home plantings. perennial
a herbaceous plant does not need frequent watering (just like a cactus), and
the only condition for Zamioculcas to feel good is
no direct sunlight.

Succulents

Another great winter option
plants are succulents. However, keep in mind that they will not grow as fast,
like in the summer. Three to four hours of sunlight per day for succulents
will be sufficient, but avoid strong drafts.

African violets

The beauty is that African
violets bloom even in winter, adding bright colors to any interior. Moderate
temperature and indirect light (so it’s better not to put them on the window) – that’s all,
what African violets need to delight you with bright colors.

Three-strip sansevieria

Three-strip sansevieria, which
also called snake flower, quite popular as an indoor flower
plants – primarily because of their unpretentiousness. She has enough
a little light for a fulfilling life.

Spathiphyllum

It is a perennial evergreen
The plant is very hardy and endures cold weather. One of the main
The virtues of spathiphyllum are that it improves air quality by purifying it.

Greenery

By greenery we mean a wide
range of different plants, from dill to cilantro. They don’t look any worse.
other green plantings, they need no more than six hours of light per day, so how
bonus, they make a great seasoning for stews or soups.

Lemon cypress

This decorative cypress is excellent
adapts to room life. The best location for him is closer to the window, so
how he loves low temperatures, and he needs three to five hours
sunlight per day. But beware of batteries: hot, dry air can
destroy this little tree. And closer to the New Year, you can even decorate
him as a small Christmas tree!

Bromeliad

Bright, stately bromeliad will bring
exotic notes to your interior. But despite clear associations with
tropics, this plant survives surprisingly well in dry conditions.
air, minimal watering and low light, which certainly makes it
perfect for winter.

Cyclamen

These delicate and fragile looking flowers
do not tolerate high temperatures, so the window sill is one of the most suitable
places for them, and even on the balcony (glazed, of course). But worth it
avoid direct sunlight and remember to water regularly. At
Under the right conditions, cyclamen can bloom up to six months.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe – flowering succulent
plant, the care of which at home is quite simple. Post it on
window sill of a south-facing window and keep the soil moist (water
you need twice as rarely as in the summer), and Kalanchoe will delight you
with their small but bright colors.

all photos: Pinterest0007

Indoor flowers that like shade (photos and names) and houseplants that do not like light in the apartment

• Home decorative foliage flowers that love shade

• dieffenbachia

• ferns

• Ivy

• ficus benjamina

• Fittonia

• cissus

• Indoor decorative flowering flowers that do not like light

• decorative flowering begonia

• Oxalis

• Saintpaulia

• Spathiphyllum

• Cyclamen

• Other shade tolerant plants

• succulents

• orchids

• fruit plants

Lighting is critical to the life of indoor plants. Light is necessary for the process of photosynthesis, as a result of which plants synthesize organic substances for their growth and life. Different types of plants need different amounts of light.

There are very photophilous species that require direct sunlight. Most indoor species grow well in bright diffused light. But there are shade-loving home flowers. It is convenient to grow them in poorly lit apartments, the windows of which face the north side.

Home ornamental foliage flowers that like shade

It is often difficult to keep light-loving plants in houses and apartments due to insufficient natural light. But this does not mean that you need to abandon indoor flowers altogether. There are many home flowers that do not like light, and thrive in darkened rooms where the sun’s rays do not look at all. And for some flowers, the sun is contraindicated – they develop correctly only in the shade. Consider shadow-loving indoor flowers with their names and photos.

Dieffenbachia

This large houseplant grows equally well in bright diffused light and partial shade. In the shade, it can weaken and begin to stretch. It has a straight trunk that rarely branches. In room culture grows up to 2 m in height. Leaf blades are large, oval, variegated, up to 50 cm long. They are used for landscaping spacious rooms.

Ferns

All types of indoor ferns are shade-tolerant plants. In the wild, they have adapted to existence in the lower tiers of the forest. Long and lush fronds of ferns have a bizarre and very decorative shape. These species are grown on hangers or shelves. In culture, ferns are kept in partial shade. With more intense lighting, their foliage loses its brightness, fades. Tender ferns can get burned in direct sun.

Ivy

A popular herbaceous climber in indoor cultivation. Scourges of ivy reach a length of several meters, weakly branching. New shoots are formed in the lower part near the surface of the earth or from the root. The branches are able to grow to the supports, so common ivy is grown as an ampelous plant, and is also used for vertical gardening.

Leaves are shiny and leathery. Numerous ornamental varieties of this plant are distinguished by variegated two-color and even three-color leaf blades. Ivy grows well in the shade and suffers from direct sunlight. Variegated forms require a little more intense lighting. They can be kept in partial shade.

Ficus Benjamina

A versatile houseplant that grows well in almost any climate. Withstands dryness and abundant watering, heat and cold, direct sun and shading. Ficus Benjamin is a tree-like plant with a straight trunk with light bark, a branched crown with many small leathery leaves. All its varieties grow well in partial shade, but variegated forms lose their color and grow green foliage.

Fittonia

Herbaceous plant of the humid tropics. Needs shade from direct sunlight. Withstands both bright diffused light and partial shade. The height of Fittonia is no more than 50 cm, there are also more compact undersized forms.

The leaves of the plant are very variable in color. Different varieties look great in a group planting. Fittonia is a rather demanding species, as it needs intensive watering and high humidity. Ideal for florarium.

Cissus

Cissus or Antarctic grape is a very popular hanging plant. It grows beautifully in the most shaded areas of the apartment, where other plants cannot live. Forms long shoots over 3 m long, on which there are many bright green carved leaves.

The leaves of the plant are complex in shape, reminiscent of the leaves of wild grapes. In room culture, it usually does not bloom and does not bear fruit. Cissus is an unpretentious plant that can withstand low light and a wide range of temperatures. Suitable for vertical gardening of the darkest walls of the apartment.

Indoor ornamental flowers that do not like light

Usually indoor ornamental flowers do not form flowers or bloom very poorly when there is a lack of light. However, there are also flowering species that can be grown on northern windows in partial shade.

Shade-tolerant ornamental flowering plants are perfectly adapted to such conditions, they bloom profusely and for a long time even in very low light, and the sun’s rays can be detrimental to them. Below are house flowers that love shade in the apartment.

Decorative flowering begonia

Flowering begonias can be grown on northern window sills. Unlike ornamental leafy species, which stretch out without sunlight, flowering begonias do not need bright light.

They must not be placed in the sun as they will burn their tender leaves very quickly.

There are several types of flowering begonias. These are low plants with succulent leaves of green or reddish hues. Bloom profusely and for a long time. Their flowers are regular, semi-double and double, depending on the variety. The shades of the petals are very diverse – from white and light pink to dark red and burgundy. There are also plants with yellow flowers.

Oxalis

Oxalis or oxalis are indoor flowers that love shade. It has many leaves on long petioles, growing from a modified and greatly shortened stem.

Indoor oxalis can have green, burgundy and variegated leaf blades. It blooms in small single or collected flowers in inflorescences. There can be several dozen of them on one plant. Prefers partial shade, but can grow in shade. Direct sun is detrimental to the flower.

Saintpaulia

Saintpaulias or violets are indoor flowers that do not like light and do not need bright lighting. Forms a dense rosette of pubescent dark green leaves. There are variegated varieties of Saintpaulia. Blooms profusely from early spring to late autumn. Flowers solitary or collected in inflorescences of 2-3 pcs.

Color – from white to dark blue and burgundy. Numerous varieties of saintpaulia are distinguished by large double and semi-double flowers. It grows well on northern and northeastern windows, where there is never direct sun.

Spathiphyllum

Spathiphyllum is another indoor flower that loves shade in the apartment. It is very popular due to its unusually shaped flowers. In addition, this plant does not need bright lighting, therefore it decorates the windowsills of the northern windows. All this made him a favorite plant of many flower growers.

The plant forms lush bushes of dark green leaves, above which white flowers rise on long stalks. The flower is unpretentious, with regular watering and spraying it pleases with regular flowering.

Cyclamen

Cyclamen or alpine violet is a perennial tuberous plant, famous for its long and beautiful flowering. Variegated leaves on long petioles grow directly from the tuber. Flowers with long petals have an unusual shape.

Cyclamen prefers north and northeast windows. Blooms in winter. During flowering, it is advisable to put these plants on the coldest window sills away from radiators.

Other shade-tolerant plants

In addition to ornamental foliage and flowering plants, there are many other varieties of home flowers that do not like light. For landscaping a darkened apartment, it is easy to pick up shade-tolerant succulents, orchids, and even fruit-bearing species.

Succulents

Succulents grow in dry and hot areas where there is always a lot of sunlight. However, some of them grow well even in partial shade, especially if they are grown under these conditions for a long time. Succulents also include forest cacti.

They have adapted to grow under the cover of large trees, so they do not need bright lighting. The most common shade-tolerant succulents:

• Sansevieria;
• Haworthia hard-leaved;
• Peperomia;
• Decembrist.

Sansevieria

Haworthia hard-leaved

Peperomia

Decembrist

Orchids

All types of orchids are shade tolerant plants. These are plants of the humid tropics, where they grow on the bark of tall trees and do not see direct sun. Some of their species require more intense lighting.

But there are some that can be grown even with weak electric light. These are some species of precious ground orchids. The most famous of them are Makodes and Anectochilus.

Makodes

Makodes

Anectochylus

Anectochylus

These plants require very high humidity. They are usually kept in orchidariums away from windows in artificial light. The phalaenopsis orchid is also quite shade tolerant, but not at all as demanding as its precious relatives. It does not tolerate direct sunlight, but it can develop and bloom beautifully in diffused light and in partial shade.

Fruit-bearing plants

It is quite difficult to find a houseplant that does not need bright light, but would produce edible fruits. Usually fruitful plants grown in rooms are residents of the southern regions, where there is an excess of sunlight.

Most exotics that bear fruit need bright light and even direct sun. Without this, they cease to bloom and bear fruit, and then die. The most shade-tolerant can be considered room hot pepper, which is valued for its decorative effect and spicy fruits.