Container Plants For Shade

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(Updated July 30, 2025)

If you don’t have sunlight in your outdoor space, don’t despair, because many beautiful plants thrive in containers in the shade.

You can plan to add shade plants in underutilized areas near trees or where there is insufficient sunlight.

I love planting my garden in containers, as I can be flexible in their placement. Plus, I can use the type of soil I need in that container without it affecting the entire garden space.

I ordered plant caddies from Amazon to put my heavier containers on so they’re easier to move.

10 Annuals For Shade:

1. Fuchia
2. Balsam
3. Lobelia
4. Torenia
5. Oxalis
6. Impatiens
7. Coleus
8. Sweet potato vine
9. Viola/pansy
10. Sweet alyssum

I think it is fun to put a blend of shade-loving plants into containers to add various textures and colors. You have more control over container-grown plants than those you plant in the ground.

If you live in an apartment and only have a small balcony to garden on, planting in pots is ideal.

10 Perennials For Shade:

Best Shade-Loving Perennials for Containers

1. Hosta
2. Toad lily
3. Ajuga
4. Old-fashioned bleeding heart
5. Hosta
6. Coral bells
7. Lamium
8. Hellebore
9. Astilbe
10. Ferns

You will be disappointed if you plant a sun-loving plant in the shade. It will get leggy, straining to lean toward the sun. And it won’t provide you with the blooms you desire and you will feel like you wasted your hard-earned money.

Before plant shopping, research plants you might like that will grow in the shade in containers. Or ask someone who works in the garden section of a store or nursery for their expert help.

They will guide you to your best options. I prefer shopping for my garden plants at plant nurseries for this very reason.

10 Best Annuals For Shade:

1. Bleeding Heart
2. Polka Dot Plant
3. Begonia
4. Sweet Potato Vine
5. Torenia
6. Coleus
7. Impatiens
8. Caladium
9. Sweet Alyssum
10. Nicotiana (Flowering Tobacco)

If You Desire A Fragrant Garden In The Shade:

Just because your garden will be in the shade does not mean that you can’t have a fragrant garden.

There is the fragrant Sweet Woodruff, Astilbe, and Lily-of-the-Valley, just to name a few. These plants will provide you with the sweet scent you may want for your container plants in shady spots.

Use The “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” Technique:

When combining multiple plants in one large container for shade, select your “thriller” plant first. This plant should be tall enough to be the center of attention.

Next choose your “filler”. This plant should be of medium-height to fill in the arrangement, such as verbena and/or salvia.

And lastly, choose your “spiller.” These plants should spill over the sides of the container. You could use creeping jenny, petunia, or sweet potato vine, among others.

Using this technique will be sure to make your pot container plant for shade more interesting. You could use one or two colors in your design, or many. You are only limited by your creativity.

What Does Sun To Part Shade Mean:

Full sun means at least 6 hours of sun per day. Some plants like vegetables really need 8-10 hours of sun per day.

Partial sun or partial shade means that the plants needs 3-6 hours of direct sun per day. Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably.

Full shade is defined as an area of the garden that receives 4 or fewer hours of sun.

If you have a container plant that you think will be killed during the first frost, just move it inside a garage or indoors, if need be.

Container Potting Tips for Shade Success

• Use high-quality potting soil with good drainage. Mix in compost for slow-release nutrition.
• Water thoughtfully. Shade plants don’t dry out as fast, so check soil moisture before you water.
• Fertilize sparingly. Most shade plants don’t need much—feed with a diluted, balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
• Rotate containers occasionally to balance light exposure and keep growth even.
• Clean up fallen leaves to prevent mold or pests from hiding in damp corners.

Styling a Shady Container Garden

Place your pots on vintage plant stands, wooden benches, or an old step ladder for height and interest. Tuck in fairy lights or a small stone birdbath and you’ve created a restful retreat filled with natural beauty.

Don’t forget to enjoy the hush and coolness of your shady corner. It’s the perfect place for a morning coffee, afternoon reading, or just listening to birdsong and the wind in the trees. Place a chair or other seating to enjoy your container plants for shade.

Final Thoughts

Shade doesn’t mean dull—it means opportunity. With a bit of thought and a few well-placed pots, even the dimmest garden corner can glow with life and texture. So gather your containers, find that shady spot, and let your quiet garden grow in shady spots.

There are many reasons to grow a shade garden in containers, which is how I grow all my plants.