Many of our favorite flowers require full sun to grow. But, what about the corners and spots under trees that are shielded from light? Before giving up on finding blooms for the dark corners of your patch, there are many shade-loving plants to add to your garden. In fact, there are plenty of flowers and greenery that thrive out of direct sunlight.
Whether you’re looking for perennials for shade, shrubs, or fall flowers—you can add pops of color, greenery, and texture to any shady spot, hanging basket, or dark window sills with this extensive list. Choose from easy-to-grow shrubs that require little watering or hone your gardening skills with some sensitive flowers to bring some vibrancy and life to shaded areas in any yard, patio, or indoor garden.
Before you try to grow these shade-tolerant plants, be sure you set them up for success by knowing how to care for the plant you’ve chosen. Maureen Wright, a horticultural sales consultant at Fast Growing Trees, says shade-loving plants have specific components that help them thrive in dark locations. “Shade plants often have thinner leaves and less efficient water-conserving mechanisms because they are adapted to lower-light levels,” she says. “Many shade plants may produce fewer flowers or fruits when exposed to full sun, as they redirect their energy towards survival rather than reproduction.”
Read on to discover the best shade-loving plants. Grab a pair of gardening gloves, gardening shoes, and the best sunscreen, and head on outside!
1
Hostas
Hostas grow best in partial shade and can withstand heavy shade—so Wright recommends planting these big, leafy plants in a dark patio or shielded corner. “Hostas come in various sizes and shades of green, and some have variegated leaves, making them a popular choice for shaded areas,” Wright says.
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and moist soils.
2
Bleeding Heart
“Bleeding Heart is known for its distinctive heart-shaped flowers, making it a charming addition to shade gardens,” Wright says. Not only are these flowers colorful and unique, but they can thrive in full shade. So, feel free to plant them in spots with zero sunlight. Plus, these perennials will attract butterflies to your garden.
Hardiness zones: 3 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial shade to full shade and well-drained soil.
3
Solomon’s Seal
Spruce up your garden with these bell-shaped white flowers that bloom in the spring. The Farmer’s Almanac lists it as one of the best shade-loving plants, and it grows well in the shade. It’s also perennial, which means it will grow for three or more seasons without re-planting any seeds, according to The New York Botanical Garden.
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade, and moist, well-drained soil.
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4
Brilliance Autumn Ferns
Wright recommends ferns because they “thrive in low-light conditions and add a lush, feathery texture to your garden.” This cultivar can grow in dark conditions, but if it’s covered by a tree or an awning, be sure to consistently water the plant as it calls for consistently moist soil.
Hardiness zones: 5 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and moist soil.
5
Begonia
The Farmer’s Almanac lists Begonias as a great annual plant for shade, which means it does not require full sunlight and will only grow for one gardening season (perfect for those who like to change up the flowers in their garden each year!). These colorful flowers with uniquely-shaped petals can bloom in the shade or in indoor containers. They can even survive the cold winters in New York City, according to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Hardiness zones: 6 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade with no direct sunlight and moist soil with good drainage.
6
Coral Bells
“These plants offer colorful foliage and delicate flowers, making them a great choice for shade,” Wright says. This one to two feet tall perennial can thrive in partial shade with consistent watering. The shades of red, coral, and pink add a pop of color to a dark spot in any garden.
Hardiness zones: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Sun to partial shade and rich soil.
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7
Astilbe
If you’re looking for vibrant pinks or royal blue flowers, this clump-forming perennial is for you. “Astilbe produces attractive, feathery plumes of flowers in various colors and is well-suited for shady spots,” Wright says. It can grow up to five feet depending on the variety, and the Farmer’s Almanac says it’s deer resistant, so you won’t have to worry about deers making a snack of your blooms.
Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade, average soil, and medium watering.
8
Thalictrum
More commonly known as Meadow Rue, these purple, dainty flowers grow well in the shade and reach up to five or six feet tall. The fluffy flowers will stay blooming throughout the summer and add an interesting texture to your garden.
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
9
Limelight Hydrangeas
Limelight hydrangeas can grow through the summer season into autumn and can thrive in partial shade. These cone-shaped perennials transform from shades of green and white to pink and magenta. It’s a larger plant, reaching a height of around eight feet, and it can thrive in urban settings (so it’s the perfect flower for a patio!).
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil.
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10
Lungwort
Enjoy these purple and blue perennials season after season in partially or fully dark spots outside. “Lungwort is prized for its early spring blooms and attractive spotted leaves,” Wright says. When the skies are covered by rain clouds in April, these colorful flowers will be a sweet surprise each spring.
Hardiness zones: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and medium watering.
11
Spiderwort
Don’t worry, despite its name this plant will not attract spiders to your garden. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the fun name most likely stems from its spidery look and web-like filaments. These purple, red, and blue flowers grow in clusters, and they were once used by the Cherokee to brew tea that treated stomach aches.
Hardiness zones: 5 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and consistent watering.
12
Foamflower
Add these smaller, poofy flowers to a dark spot in a garden to lighten up a dark spot. “Foamflowers have delicate, foam-like flower clusters and attractive foliage,” Wright says. These cold-hardy perennials can grow in partial and full shade. While the soil cannot dry out, overwatering these flowers can be just as fatal, so be sure to stick to the instructions on the seed packaging.
Hardiness zones: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade, medium watering, and moist but well-drained soil.
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13
Caladium
This shade-loving plant has leaves with a vibrant red center that will add a pop of color to your garden throughout the summer. Caladium thrives in shady locations and should be treated as annuals in USDA zones three to seven as they are originally tropical plants.
Hardiness zones: 3 to 7 (or 8 to 10 for year-round planting)
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and medium watering.
14
Impatiens
For delicate, colorful flowers, impatiens bloom pink, white, red, and purple petals in clusters. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends impatiens as an optimal flower for shady window boxes as they’re affordable, are low-maintenance, and do not require sunlight.
Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade, and thrives in window boxes and containers.
15
Black Bugbane
Another tall, fluffy flower is the Black Bugbane. The Farmer’s Almanac says these flowers grow dark purple foliage that transforms into white by the end of summer. Your yard will turn into an oasis as these good-smelling flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Hardiness zones: 4 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and medium moisture soil.
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16
Coleus
This perennial is another tropical plant that grows best in USDA zones 10 to 11. Depending on the cultivar, coleus can have vibrant red or bright green and white heart-shaped leaves. Coleus can grow in full or partial shade, so it’ll add a pop of color to a dark location outside.
Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and moist, loose soils.
17
Hellebore
Yards and gardens lose their vibrancy and color once winter rolls around, but this plant can help keep some greenery in your yard for a little longer. “Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, produce elegant, long-lasting flowers in late winter and early spring and prolong the color in any shady garden,” Wright says. Enjoy these flowers blooming in a snowy garden, and replace them with a summertime plant come July.
Hardiness zones: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Shade, little to no moisture, and well-drained soil.
18
Cornus Florida
Dogwood varieties, like Cornus florida, can grow in shady locations. Watch as the small white flowers transform into a maroon color come autumn. They attract butterflies and require medium watering.
Hardiness zones: 5 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial shade, well-drained soil, and medium moisture.
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19
Lobelia
Switch things up by hanging these dainty blue and white flowers from baskets in a dark spot or from north-facing window sills. Lobelias dislike too much sunlight and heat, so be sure to consistently water the soil and keep them in a shady spot.
Hardiness zones: 10 to 11
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade, well-drained soil, and little watering.
20
Skip Laurel
Blockout unwanted eyes from your windows with these thick bushes that Wright recommends. “Skips have a beautiful dense growth habit that make it a good choice for a privacy screen,” Wright says. “The leaves of a skip laurel give off a wonderful scent when crushed. They bloom a small white flower that produces small berries in the summer.” Skip laurels grow best in partial to full shade as long as you consistently water the soil.
Hardiness zones: 6 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and consistent watering.
Isabella Cavallo
Assistant Commerce Editor
Isabella (she/her) covers commerce and product-related content in the home, lifestyle, fitness, technology and beauty. She graduated from Binghamton University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in English: Literature & Rhetoric. Before joining GH, she was an editorial assistant at Prevention, where she covered health topics and celebrity news.
