Getting the right container plants for a shaded porch has always been a vital part of a wonderful experience. These are some of the best container plants that help us keep our porch lively.
Thanks to our decades of container gardening experience, we’ve come across some of the best options available with less sunlight.
We don’t just plant veggies. In this article, we’ll tell you about the best container plants for shaded porch.
15 Best Container Plants for Shade Porch
As promised, here’s a list of the best shade plants you can rely on for your porch.
1. Succulents
There’s a growing understanding that succulent thrives better under the sun. While there is truth in this statement, the reality is that this isn’t the full picture.
Precisely, some varieties do better under the shade. This is because the scorchy sun will kill them.
Examples of options that don’t need so much include sedum, jade, aloe vera, backbone, and fairy crassula.
2. Torenia
This is another great option that will thrive under the shade with tons of color varieties. This is thanks to its temperature preference.
Also regarded as the wishbone flower, this option will remain cheerful and elegant even under a full shade.
Even better, it’s easy to care for this container gardening option that comes with a light to dark purple color variety. You can have this option in a window box or hanging basket and still get a great result as long as there’s good drainage.
3. Coral Bells
The next option that makes our shade containers list is coral bells. These garden perennials are suitable for containers placed under a shade.
They are also beautiful, with their bright yellow-green or dark purple foliage bringing beauty and class to the equation.
The most popular species under this category include Heuchera americana, Dolce Licorice, H. villosa, H. micrantha, and H, cylindrica.
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4. Oxalis
This genus also comes with a wide range of species that are suitable as container plants under a shady porch with stunning leaf colors.
Popular species that fall under this category include O. compressus, O. tetraphylla, and Oxalis Versicolor.
One thing that you’ll enjoy under this category is the wide array of colors that it offers. You’ll get access to white leaves, peach, pink, yellow, and even bicolors.
It’s also a plant that’s easy to grow, allowing you to enjoy a stress-free experience.
5. Creeping Jenny
Another option that you can opt for is the Creeping Jenny. While this isn’t a flowering plant, this mat-forming plant provides round lime green foliage that provides a great view.
You can easily use it as a spiller plant for your hanging baskets or containers’ exterior edges. All you’ll need to provide is rich and well-drained soil to get impressive growth.
6. Japanese Maple
This is another option that fits perfectly as a container plant for a shaded porch. Even better, varieties that come with finely cut leaves and weeping branches, such as the Crimson Queen, are a great option for you.
All you need to do is ensure that you use a container that has a wider diameter than the root ball. Remember to transplant the tree every second year of its lifespan in a container into a larger one.
7. False Shamrock
Another option that you can opt for is this dainty flower that comes with dark purple foliage. This option is a great container plant for mid-winter climates and gives your porch a breathtaking view.
All you need to do is provide it with rich and organic soil.
Also, ensure that you allow the soul top to dry out, at least the topsoil, before you water. You’ll need well-drained soil to get the best results too.
8. Ornamental Asparagus
You can also opt for the ornamental asparagus, otherwise known as asparagus fern or Sprenger’s asparagus.
This option produces beautiful white flowers that eventually become red berries. You’ll, however, want to have the berries picked regularly.
Also, ensure that you have well-drained soil to get the best result here. You might also want to amend the soil with ground bark of peat moss. You also don’t need to water daily, thanks to its fleshy roots.
9. Angel’s Trumpet
If you’re looking for something that will provide a wow factor to your porch, then you might want to try out this option. This is a semi-woody plant that comes with a trumpet-shaped blossom.
Even better, it might come in doubles or singles providing more aesthetic.
However, keep in mind that the varieties of this option – Datura spp. And Brugmansia spp. – are poisonous. As such, you’ll want to avoid this if your kids or pets munch on plants.
10. Bush lily
The next option on the list is the bush lily. Also known as Clivia miniata, this option is a bombshell when planted in containers. It comes with a large grouping of orange flowers in a funnel-shaped arrangement.
This option is relatively easy to grow. All you’ll need to do is provide sufficient water regularly when it’s flowering.
You can also provide fertilizers regularly during its growing season. Then, remember to re-pot between three and five years as required.
11. Swedish Ivy
This is another plant that thrives under a light shade. It forms a rounded bush that’s beautified by glossy leaves that enjoys purple undersides.
Even better, it comes with showy lavender blooms that bring butterflies closer to the area.
You’ll need to provide ample water and well-drained soil to get the best result with this plant. Also, pinch the tip regularly to ensure that you get great branching and a more compact plant.
12. Impatiens
Another option that you can opt for is this variety that provides a parade of colors. You’ll get perennial shade flowers with vibrant colors like pink, purple, red, and lavender, among others.
One of the most popular options under this category is the New Guinea hybrid and Shady Lady option.
All you’ll need to do to enjoy this great option is adequate watering and soil feeding. It would also be best, to begin with, a moist and rich potting mixture.
13. Hosta
When it comes it comes to shade-loving plants; the list is incomplete without mention of Hosta. This option comes with an economic capability that rivals almost all plants.
Regardless, that’s not all you get from them. You also get access to a variety of shapes, textures, sizes, and colors.
In turn, you might get variegated heart-shaped foliage, oval, round, or lance-shaped leaves. You’ll also have to settle for quilted or smooth and dull or glossy leaves.
Remember that you’ll need to provide rich soil to them.
14. Tuberous Begonias
Our penultimate pick is the beautiful begonias that provide a burst of color and blossoms that will leave your container or hanging basket with the best possible look.
This option comes in a wide variety of colors, apart from blue.
This option is best suited for rich and well-drained soil. You’ll need to water regularly. However, ensure that the soil doesn’t get soggy.
15. Hellebore
The last option on the list is the Hellebore. This impressive option comes with a blossom that brings a wide range of impressive colors.
From its creamy white foliage to pale green to garnet, deep amethyst, and ruby, this is a true beauty for your porch.
Generally, you won’t need to water once they are grown beyond two years. However, it would be great to mulch the plants with compost to enjoy the best results.
Final Thoughts
While most plants will usually go under the sun, in some cases, we might just prefer them under a shady spot – partial shade or full shade.
This is thanks to the ambiance that they bring to the location.
However, you’ll need to be sure you’re getting the very best plants that are suitable for this purpose and also keep a string trimmer for your garden for trimming purpose from this how to choose string trimmer guide for selecting the right trimmer for your garden.
No doubt, this can appear somewhat challenging. However, there is nothing to worry about anymore.
We’ve discussed the best options that you can opt for. So, choose one or more and get right to planting under the shade.
