Gardening in the shade presents unique challenges, but with the right plant selections, you can create a lush, beautiful garden even in low-light conditions. Many plants actually prefer the cool, sheltered environment of partial or full shade. Here are 15 of the top shade-loving plants and flowers that don’t need tons of sun to thrive.

Hostas

Hostas are some of the most popular shade plants, with over 45 species and thousands of cultivars to choose from. Their attractive foliage comes in wide range of shapes, sizes, and hues of green, blue, gold, and variegated forms. Hostas thrive in zones 3-9 and prefer moist, organically rich soils. They grow well in light to full shade locations, although variegated varieties need a bit more sunlight to maintain their colorful foliage. Hostas are low maintenance, have few pest problems, and spread nicely to form a lush, dense groundcover. Some of the best hosta varieties for shade include:

Hosta ‘Francee’ – heart-shaped leaves with white edges
Hosta ‘Green Gold’ – chartreuse foliage with slug resistance
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ – dramatic gold and green variegated leaves
Hosta ‘Guacamole’ – large blue-green leaves with good sun tolerance

Astilbe

Astilbe are prized for their plume-like blooms that rise above attractive fern-like foliage. They bloom in shades of white, pink, red, purple, and salmon for weeks in the spring and early summer. There are both tall and dwarf varieties ranging from 6 inches to 4 feet in height. Astilbe thrive in zones 4-9 and need consistent moisture and rich, humus-heavy soil. They grow best in partial to full shade. Some excellent Astilbe varieties for shady gardens include:

Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions’ – pink/lavender blooms with dark red stems
Astilbe x arendsii ‘Bridal Veil’ – elegant white plumes on dwarf plants
Astilbe x arendsii ‘Fanal’ – vibrant red blooms on deep green foliage
Astilbe japonica ‘Deutschland’ – large white plumes on plants up to 3 feet tall

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Coral bells offer colorful evergreen foliage and delicate bell-shaped blooms on compact, low-maintenance plants. Their hues range from lime green to deep burgundy with elegant veining, ruffling, and silver overlay on the leaves. Coral bells thrive in zones 4-9 and reach just 6-18 inches tall. They prefer partial shade to full shade and organically rich, moist soil. Some top heuchera varieties include:

Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – purple leaves maintain color in shade
Heuchera ‘Caramel’ – gold to caramel foliage with pink flowers
Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ – vibrant orange-red ruffled foliage
Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ – near black foliage on this hybrid

Hardy Begonias

Many begonias can take shade, but the hardy wax begonias (Begonia grandis) are some of the very best. These rhizomatous begonias come back year after year, spreading to form a dense groundcover in zones 6-9. They have large green leaves and produce delicate clusters of pink, white, or red flowers from summer to fall. Hardy begonias need rich, moist soil and do best in partial shade, although they can take full shade. Some top performers include:

Begonia grandis ‘Alba’ – pure white blooms
Begonia × tuberhybrida ‘Nonstop Joy Yellow’ – bright yellow blooms all season
Begonia ‘Bonfire’ – orange-red flowers over olive foliage
Begonia grandis ‘Harrisii’ – bright pink blooms on red stems

Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium niponicum)

Japanese painted ferns feature intricately patterned fronds in hues ranging from silver to deep burgundy. They grow in slowly spreading clumps in zones 4-9, reaching 1-2 feet tall and wide. Japanese painted ferns thrive in partial to full shade and perform best in rich, moist soil. Their root systems help prevent erosion. Some popular cultivars include:

Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’ – silver gray fronds with burgundy accents
Athyrium niponicum ‘Silver Falls’ – dramatically cascading grey foliage
Athyrium niponicum ‘Ursula’s Red’ – dense clumps with wine red fronds
Athyrium goeringianum ‘Ohashi’ – blue-green foliage with painted accents

Lenten Rose (Hellebore)

Hellebore offer early winter and early spring blooms in shades of white, pink, burgundy, and green. The flowers rise above attractive palmate leaves on plants that reach 15-20 inches tall and wide at maturity. Hellebore thrive in zones 4-9 and do best in compost-amended soil and dappled shade. They are deer and rabbit resistant as well. Some top varieties include:

Helleborus ‘Pink Frost’ – silvery pink blooms in late winter
Helleborus ‘Jade Tiger’ – chartreuse blooms with dark speckles
Helleborus ‘Lord Walpole’ – burgundy flowers on compact plants
Helleborus ‘Spanish Flare’ – dramatic spotted purple blooms

Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Lungwort produces clusters of blue, pink, or white bell-like blooms in spring above attractive, silver-spotted foliage. The plants reach 8-12 inches tall and spread slowly to form dense clumps in zones 3-8. Lungwort thrives in humus-rich soil and cool, shady conditions. The foliage often remains evergreen in milder climates. Popular varieties include:

Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’ – raspberry-coral blooms with silver leaves
Pulmonaria ‘Roy Davidson’ – violet-blue blooms and narrow leaves
Pulmonaria ‘Moonshine’ – luminous silver foliage with blue flowers
Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’ – green leaves with profuse blue blooms

Dead Nettle (Lamium)

Lamium offers bright, colorful foliage and snapdragon-like blooms on spreading groundcover plants. Depending on the variety, the leaves range from silver to green, yellow, or pink and white variegations. The tubular flowers bloom in shades of pink, purple, and white in spring and early summer. Dead nettle thrives in partial shade in moist, rich soil. Some standout varieties include:

Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon’ – purple leaves with pink flowers
Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’ – silvery leaves with orchid blooms
Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ – green and white leaves with white blooms
Lamium galeobdolon ‘Hermann’s Pride’ – silver leaves with yellow blooms

European Wild Ginger (Asarum europaeum)

This woodland perennial has glossy, kidney-shaped leaves that hold their rich green color all season. Their hidden snake-like purple or brown flowers peek out near the ground in spring. European wild ginger grows just 4-6 inches tall and spreads slowly via rhizomes to form colonies in zones 4-8. It thrives in the shade of deciduous trees and moist but well-drained soil. The foliage has a spicy fragrance when crushed.

Trillium

Trillium offer broad-petaled white, pink or red flowers above clusters of three triangular leaves in spring. They grow 8-15 inches tall and spread slowly via rhizomes to form large colonies over time. Trillium thrive in partial shade and humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil. They do best under deciduous trees or shrubs. Some popular species include:

Trillium grandiflorum – large white blooms in spring
Trillium cuneatum – marsh-dwelling species with purple flowers
Trillium chloropetalum – giant white flowers on West Coast native
Trillium erectum – maroon-red blooms; hardy in zones 4-9

Foamflower (Tiarella)

Foamflower features showy star-shaped flowers on clumping mounds of lush foliage from spring to summer. The foliage patterns range from solid green to green with marbled silver variegation. The blooms appear in white, pink, or red hues on plants that reach 8-12 inches tall. Foamflower thrives in partial shade in moist, organic soil. Some top varieties for shade gardens include:

Tiarella ‘Pink Skyrockets’ – pink flowers on green, deeply lobed leaves
Tiarella ‘Running Tapestry’ – spreads nicely with variegated foliage
Tiarella ‘Sugar and Spice’ – vigorous grower with white blooms
Tiarella ‘Pink Brushes’ – dark pink blooms with marbled leaves

Barrenwort (Epimedium)

Also called bishop’s hat, epimedium produces delicate flowers reminiscent of columbine or orchids atop clumps of heart-shaped foliage. They bloom primarily in spring in pink, white, yellow, purple, and red hues. The 12-15 inch tall plants spread by rhizomes and do best in partial to full shade with rich, moist soil. Epimedium is deer resistant as well. Popular selections include:

Epimedium x rubrum – showy crimson flowers in spring
Epimedium x youngianum ‘Niveum’ – pure white blooms
Epimedium grandiflorum ‘Lilafee’ – lavender-purple flowers
Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’ – yellow and white blooms

Corydalis

This genus includes both annual and perennial species, many of which thrive in shade gardens. Tubular flowers in blue, purple, yellow, pink, and white appear over lacy, fern-like foliage from spring to summer. Corydalis grows 8-15 inches tall and spreads to form light, airy clumps. It does best in rich, moist, well-drained soil and light shade. Some species to try include:

Corydalis flexuosa ‘Purple Leaf’ – blue flowers and purple foliage
Corydalis lutea – yellow blooms; self-seeds gently in ideal conditions
Corydalis elata – pink blooms on native California species
Corydalis solida – popular blue-flowered tuberous annual

Geranium (Hardy Geranium)

Hardy geranium produce saucer-shaped blooms in shades ranging from blue and violet to pink, white, and red. The 5-15 inch tall mounding plants thrive in humus-rich soil and partial shade, although they tolerate full sun in cooler climates. Foliage may be small and deeply cut or large and chartreuse to bronze. Spreading by rhizomes, these tough perennials grow best in zones 5-9. Recommended hardy geranium cultivars for shade include:

Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’ – pink flowers and aromatic foliage
Geranium nodosum ‘Silverwood’ – variegated leaves with lilac blooms
Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Cambridge’ – compact grower with saucer-shaped flowers
Geranium phaeum ‘Walking on Sunshine’ – golden foliage brings light to shady areas

Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)

Brunnera produces clusters of blue, white, or pink forget-me-not flowers in spring above large, rough-textured leaves. Foliage may be solid green or variegated with silver, gray, or golden markings. Plants grow 12-18 inches tall in clumping mounds in zones 3-8. Brunnera thrives in partial to full shade and moist soil rich in organic matter.

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ – baby blue flowers and silver leaves
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ – intricate silver veining over green
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Sea Heart’ – large green leaves edged in silver
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Alexander’s Great’ – huge green leaves with blue blooms

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

This beloved old-fashioned flower has arching stems lined with tiny, sweetly fragrant white bell-shaped blooms in spring. Once established, it forms large colonies in shady areas. The 6-8 inch plants thrive in light to full shade and moist, humus-rich soil in zones 2-9. Lily of the valley is ideal for growing under trees and shrubs. Caution: all parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)

Toad lily blooms in late summer and fall when shade gardens need a lift. Clusters of unique orchid-like flowers in white, pink, purple, and yellow appear above lance-shaped leaves. Plants grow 18-24 inches tall and spread slowly by rhizome. Toad lily does best in moist soil and light to partial shade. Some popular varieties include:

Tricyrtis ‘Sinonome’ – white flowers heavily speckled with purple
Tricyrtis hirta ‘Miyazaki’ – purple blooms with yellow throats
Tricyrtis ‘Empress’ – blue-lavender flowers in abundance
Tricyrtis formosana ‘Gilt Edge’ – white flowers edged in yellow

Tips for Growing Plants in Shady Areas

While the plants above all grow well in partial shade to full shade, providing them with the proper care and growing conditions will ensure they thrive. Here are some useful tips for growing flowers, perennials, shrubs, and other plants in shady garden beds:

Evaluate the light properly – Shade comes in varying degrees. Dappled sunlight, part shade, full shade – identify what type of shade you are dealing with so you can choose plants suited to those light levels.

Improve the soil – Many plants that thrive in shade require moist, humus-rich soil. Add compost, leaf mold, peat moss and other organic matter to improve moisture retention and nutrient content.

Water thoroughly – Shady areas often need less frequent but deeper watering to ensure soil moisture reaches plant roots. About 1-2 inches of water per week is adequate for shade plantings.

Use shade-loving mulches – Mulches like pine needles, shredded leaves, and wood chips modulate soil moisture and temperature effectively for shade gardens. Avoid drying mulches like gravel and stone.

Pay attention to plant placement – Position plants so taller ones don’t block light from reaching shorter shrubs and perennials. Place plants with higher light needs at the edges of shady areas.

Keep the garden clean – Remove fallen leaves and debris regularly to prevent fungal issues. Thin overcrowded plantings to allow for air circulation.

Fertilize lightly – While shade plants need good nutrition from the soil, avoid heavy feeding which can promote weak, floppy growth unable to support itself.

Control aggressive growers – Rapid spreaders like vinca and ivy need containment to prevent them from smothering companions. Use physical barriers and disciplined pruning.

How Much Sunlight do Shade Plants Need?

The amount of sunlight shade plants need can vary quite a bit by species. Here’s an overview of the sunlight requirements for good growth:

Full shade: Less than 2 hours of direct sun per day. Dappled light is often the best case scenario. Plants like hostas, astilbe, and lily of the valley do well in full shade.

Partial shade: 2-4 hours of sun, usually morning or afternoon sun. Many plants thrive in light to medium partial shade, including cora bells, lenten rose, and European wild ginger.

Part sun: 4-6 hours of sun interspersed with shade. Some plants preferring part sun are hardy begonias, epimedium, and corydalis.

Full sun: More than 6 hours of direct sun daily. While they tolerate shade, most plants grow best in full sun, including species like heuchera, geranium, and tiarella.

As a general rule, most shade plants need at least 2-3 hours of dappled or morning sunlight to grow well. But pay attention to their requirements, as some very shade tolerant species (like hostas) will thrive even in quite dark locations.

Where to Plant Shade-Loving Plants

You can find spots for shade gardens almost anywhere on your property. Observe where sunlight hits different areas throughout the day. Here are some prime shade garden locations:

Under trees and shrubs – Areas under the canopy of trees or beneath shrubs receive dappled light and shade. Hostas, astilbe, and wild ginger grow well planted near woody plants.

East-facing walls and fences – East-facing barriers will be shaded from the hot afternoon sun. Perfect for planting ferns, coral bells, bergenia, and other shade perennials.

Beside buildings and structures – Foundations cast shade on garden beds. North side beds and those under eaves or decks work well for begonias, impatiens, and coleus.

Near water features – The shallows around ponds and streams provide cool, moist growing conditions ideal for marsh marigold, Japanese primrose, and forget-me-nots.

Under tree canopies – Areas beneath trees have dry shade where plants like epimedium and European ginger thrive. Avoid aggressive root competitors like ivy.

Woodland gardens – Mimic natural forest settings with shade-lovers like trillium, foamflower, and woodland phlox under deciduous trees.

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15 Shade-Loving Plants and Flowers That Don’t Need Tons of Sun