Unique Houseplants and Perennials for Shade Containers

 Tropical Inspiration for Shade Containers

It’s easy to neglect the shady corners of our gardens and focus on the more lighted areas, especially when creating warm-season containers. Many of us get frustrated or bored with the limited options in the shade annual section at local garden centers. However, lightly shaded areas are perfect places to get creative and try something new. Do yourself a favor and explore arrangements that include unique choices, such as shade-loving perennials and tropical houseplants. Many houseplants are groundcovers in their native forests, meaning they prefer bright, indirect light; this makes them perfect for shade containers. Get inspired by the following examples, which show the wide range of options available beyond the annual aisle.

1. Shockingly Bright Colors in Shade

You don’t have to give up flowers when planting in shade. Think outside the box with tropical options like ‘White Heart’ Flamingo Flower, which adds a striking splash of white here. Also, focus on adding color in other ways—for example, the chartreuse and hot pink leaves of Kong™ Rose Coleus. We were able to add even more color by layering plants, especially ‘Madame O’Reilly’ Begonia and other colorful trailing plants under the larger leaves. Since these plants are shade-tolerant, taller plants eliminate the usual risk of their lower neighbors shading out.

‘White Heart’ Flamingo Flower

Kimberly Queen Fern

Kong™ Rose Coleus

‘Madame O’Reilly’ Begonia

2. The leaves come in a variety of textures and shapes first

Choosing plants from across the green spectrum allows this container to be lush without feeling flat. Beyond the bright lime greens provided by bird's nest fern and 'Aureola' Japanese forest grass, unique, contrasting shapes and textures combine to pique your interest. From the trailing button fern to the gentle vertical reach of bird's nest fern and fingerleaf rodgersia, the subtle variety of shapes creates movement from top to bottom without sacrificing completeness. The elements are united by their color and full, dense habits, but their unique leaf shapes and textures create a wide range of interest and contrast.

Bird's Nest Fern

Fingerleaf Rodgersia

'Aureola' Japanese forest grass

'Brad Thompson' Begonia

Button Fern

3. Dense, glossy leaves reflect low light

Place containers in indirect light to create the perfect microclimate for heart ferns, bromeliads, and other delicate beauties. These light-sensitive plants are often passed over for traditional options, but they quickly become favorites on a covered porch or other protected area. Working within a coordinated palette of cool purples and rich greens allows for a seamless pairing of unique ‘dragon’ bromeliads with standard favorites like deep purple ‘Swinging Linda’ coleus and glossy green Persian shield.

‘Dragon’ Bromeliad

Persian Shield

Heart Fern

‘Swinging Linda’ Coleus

4. Interesting Structure Begs for a Touch

Even before you plant, choosing the right container can help inspire you and set the mood. If you’re struggling to bring a dark corner to life, a brightly colored container like this one will ensure your design starts off on the right foot. For this bold container, we chose plants with lush mid-green tones, like Japanese painted fern and trailing watermelon begonia, then planted them with citrus-colored plants like lemon-green foxtail fern and chartreuse, colorful ‘Dream Queen’ hosta. The muted color palette allows textured leaves like the foxtail fern to take center stage.

Foxtail Fern

Japanese Painted Fern

‘Dream Queen’ Hosta

Creeping Wire Vine

Trailing Watermelon Begonia

5. Burgundy and Chartreuse Battle for Dominance

Playing with texture, shape, and color is just as fun in the shade as it is in the sun. The large, dark leaves of the ‘Burgundy’ rubber tree balance this earthy brown container display, creating a perfect frame for the bright colors at the center of the arrangement. The ‘Everillo’ Japanese sedge and the ‘Hannibal Lecter’ bromeliad mirror each other in their drooping patterns, but their contrasting arrangements ensure continuous visual interest. The chartreuse leaves from ‘Everillo’ Japanese sedge provide drama all season long and create a bright focal point that invites you to stop and look, even when the pot is placed in a shady corner.

‘Burgundy’ Rubber Tree

‘White Butterfly’ Arrowhead Plant

‘Hannibal Lecter’ Bromeliad

‘Everillo’ Japanese Sedge

‘Little Beaver’ Begonia