Sun-loving plants may get all the attention, but full shade plants work hard in the background to keep your yard looking good. They're stunning too: Many beautiful annuals, perennials, shrubs, and ornamental grasses actually love the shade. Whether you're looking for something to plant under a fast-growing shade tree, in flower beds or hanging baskets, or in containers on a backyard patio, there's a wide variety of plants that grow in shade and can add color and interest to your outdoor spaces.
Just know that there are different levels of shade-loving growth. A full-shade plant needs three hours or less of direct sunlight during the day—in other words, it wants up to 21 hours of shade. Partial shade means a plant needs only three to six hours of shade a day. The amount of sun and the timing of it can be important for shade plants to thrive too. Some shade lovers, such as flowering shrubs, bloom best with some sun—preferably in the morning because the hot afternoon sun is too intense, especially during the summer months.
If you're looking to plant shrubs or perennials, which come back year after year, make sure they're suited to your USDA Plant Hardiness zone. After all, there's no sense in spending money on plants that won't survive the winter.
Once you've got your shade plants in the ground, don't forget that newly planted flowers, perennials, and shrubs need some TLC to reach their full potential. Water them regularly during dry spells and heat waves, focusing the water at the ground to reach the roots more quickly. For shady plants in containers, check the pots every few days—or even more frequently if the weather is super hot and dry, since pots and planters tend to dry out faster than plants in garden beds do.
Ahead, find the 25 best shade plants to brighten up any dark spot in your garden.
Blue Oat Grass
For those who live in a cold climate or experience harsh winters, blue oat grass is a great bet for year-round color and interest. It never loses its silver-blue hue no matter the temperature, and you don't have to worry about it getting too much shade. This is a great option for those looking to dip their toe into the world of decorative and ground-covering grasses.
Varieties to try: Saphirsprudel
Foxglove
This biennial is often grown as an ornamental plant because of to its vivid flowers. Its bright colors attract both people and animals (including pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds), but it's important to remember that all parts of a foxglove plant are extremely toxic and poisonous.
Varieties to try: Camelot Lavender, Excelsior, and Common
Primrose
Hardy and colorful, primrose flowers are popular among gardeners all across the country since they can thrive in hot and cold climates. Primroses appreciate the morning sun but do the best in partial to full shade.
Varieties to try: Blue Horizon, Wanda
Browallia
Gaining in popularity as an alternative to impatiens, this beautiful annual comes in shades of periwinkle blue, white, and violet on mounding foliage. It's an attractive choice for shady baskets, window boxes, and containers, reaching about a foot wide and tall.
Varieties to try: Endless Illumination, Endless Flirtation
Hosta
Hostas range from a petite four inches to as big as six feet across! They're great for adding beautiful texture and greenery. Just be aware that these perennials are a favorite of deer and rabbits. If those creatures visit your garden frequently, consider planting something less tasty, like one of these deer-resistant plants.
Varieties to try: Shadowland Empress Wu, Mouse Ears
Sweet Potato Vine
If you're looking for a vining annual that works equally well in sun and shade, a sweet potato vine is the answer. This pretty plant comes in shades of purple, burgundy, and chartreuse and looks fabulous spilling over the sides of containers and window boxes.
Varieties to try: Sweet Caroline Light Green, Tricolor
Begonia
Begonias do well in a variety of conditions, including full shade. Depending on the variety, they can range from six inches to three feet tall and six to 18 inches wide. Some types are grown primarily for their striking variegated foliage. Most are considered annuals.
Varieties to try: Cane, Wax, Angel-Wing
Ligularia
Ligularia, sometimes called the leopard plant, has large, showy leaves and bright flowers in shades of yellow. This shade-loving perennial is especially happy in boggy or wet conditions. It can grow anywhere from three to eight feet tall and two to four feet wide.
Varieties to try: Banana, The Rocket, King Kong
Viola
These happy-faced flowers tolerate full sun in spring and fall, but come summer, they'll need part shade. They often die back in hot weather and revive when things cool down. They're annuals but some types self-seed and may appear again next spring.
Varieties to try: Johnny Jump-Up, King Henry
Epimedium
Also known as bishop's hat because of its flowers' unique shape, epimedium thrives in part to full shade and blooms from mid to late spring. This perennial can grow between eight and 12 inches tall and 12 to 36 inches wide. It's a great ground cover for shady spots.
Varieties to try: Candy Hearts, Orange Queen
Brunnera
Often used as a ground cover, this perennial is known for its tiny blue flowers that bloom in the spring. It also has charming heart-shaped foliage with white variegation, making it a delightful shade plant whether it's in bloom or not.
Varieties to try: Jack's Frost, Silver Heart, Alexander’s Great
Bleeding Heart
Known as bleeding hearts (and you can see why!), these charming perennials are a must-have in any shade garden. Depending on the variety, they can grow between six inches and three feet tall and one and three feet wide.
Varieties to try: Valentine, King of Hearts, Aurora
Spiderwort
This pretty plant with a fun name blooms in midsummer and prefers moist yet well-drained soil. Expect it to grow to between six inches and 3 feet tall, depending on the variety.
Varieties to try: Amethyst Kiss, Sweet Kate
Hellebore
This gorgeous perennial looks delicate but is actually tough as nails. It's also called the Lenten rose because it blooms in late winter to early spring, around the time of Lent. It's available in a profusion of colors ranging from pure white to the deepest pinks and almost black. Depending on the variety, you can expect a hellebore plant to grow between one and three feet tall and wide.
Varieties to try: Painted Doubles, Wedding Party Maid of Honor
Heuchera
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, is one of the most versatile perennials for any garden. Most types grow in light ranging from full sun to full shade, so read the tag to be sure which kind you're buying. It has small flower spikes in midsummer but is grown mainly for its striking foliage that spans every color of the rainbow from chartreuse to purple-black. The plant's size ranges from one to two feet tall and six to 30 inches wide.
Varieties to try: Appletini, Wild Berry
Astilbe
Astilbe needs shade so its pretty flower plumes won't burn. Plant this perennial in drifts, or clumps, among other spring-flowering shade lovers like ferns and hellebores to show it off to best effect. It comes in many shades including pale pink, creamy white, and the hot pink seen here.
Varieties to try: Younique Carmine, Rise and Shine
Ferns
There's a reason why ferns are often found in moist, shady forests: They love light to moderate shade. These perennials come in an array of lovely, lacy forms and spread into a beautiful ground cover over time. They can reach up to a few feet tall, depending on the variety. Just make sure to choose a variety that can survive winters in your climate.
Varieties to try: Autumn, Japanese Painted
Bletilla
Bletilla, also known as the Chinese ground orchid, is a stunning low-maintenance addition to any garden. Plant the bulbs the previous fall for spring blooms, and protect this plant from the harsh afternoon sun if you want it to look its best. Expect it to grow to between one and three feet tall and six to 12 inches wide.
Variety to try: Striata, Pink
Dead Nettle
The unglamorous name of this perennial is distracting because it's actually a pretty, reliable ground cover that needs almost zero care. Also called lamium, this plant has silvery or variegated foliage with white, yellow, pale pink, or purple blooms.
Varieties to try: Pink Chablis, Purple Chablis
Lily of the Valley Shrub
This stunning shrub, also called pieris, is one of the first to bloom in spring. Its blooms are very long lasting, and it can handle some morning sun.
Varieties to try: Interstella
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