10 Best Plants For Planter Boxes In Shade

Table of Contents

10 Best Plants For Planter Boxes In Shade

Shaded areas can be tricky to plant. Whether you have small or large planter boxes, it can be challenging to find plants that will grow well in low light conditions. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options for creating beautiful shade planters that will thrive throughout the season.

In this article, we'll cover the top 10 best plants for planter boxes in shade, giving you the inspiration you need to create a beautiful and thriving garden, no matter the lighting conditions.

1. Hostas

Description

Hostas are a popular choice for shaded planter boxes due to their ability to thrive in low light conditions. They come in a variety of sizes and colors, so you're sure to find one that fits perfectly in your box. The foliage of hostas is striking with its wide range of shapes and hues from different shades of green, blues, and even variegated.

Care Tips

Hostas prefer moist, well-draining soil that contains organic matter. Water your hostas regularly, especially during dry spells, and fertilize them annually in the spring with an all-purpose fertilizer. Slug and snail damage may occur in a shady environment, so be sure to check for signs of these pests and use a good-quality slug bait if necessary.

Varieties

Hostas come in a wide range of varieties, including miniature forms and giant specimen plants. Popular varieties include 'June', 'Sum and Substance', 'Blue Angel', 'Patriot', and 'Frances Williams'.

2. Ferns

Description

Ferns are an ideal choice for shaded planter boxes as they thrive in moist, well-draining soil and need partial shade to grow well. They also add a delicate, feathery texture to any planter box.

Care Tips

Ferns prefer organically rich soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged. Do not let the soil dry out completely or the leaves will turn brown and fall off. Fertilize your ferns regularly with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season. Be sure to keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent leaf scorch.

Varieties

There are many different varieties of ferns suitable for planter boxes, including Boston fern, Maidenhair fern, Autumn fern, Japanese painted fern, and Holly fern.

3. Coral Bells

Description

Coral Bells, also known as Heucheras, are ideal plants for shaded planter boxes due to their attractive foliage choices of green, purple, silver and even dark bronze shades. Moreover, some of the heuchera species have flowers that bloom on tall stalks.

Care Tips

Coral bells prefer well-drained, loamy organic soil. It's important to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy or too dry. They should be watered regularly, especially during dry spells. Use a slow-release fertilizer in early spring, and avoid applying too much nitrogen, which can damage the foliage. Be sure to remove any dead or damaged leaves regularly.

Varieties

There are many varieties of Heucheras available that come in hues ranging from green to purple, silver and bronze shades. These include 'Caramel', 'Midnight Rose', 'Peach Flambe', and 'Marmalade'.

4. Impatiens

Description

Impatiens, also known as Busy Lizzies, provide a brilliant color splash in shaded areas with their colorful foliage and flowers. They are an annual shade-loving plant that thrives in planter boxes throughout the season without any fuss.

Care Tips

Impatiens prefer moist soil that is rich in organic matter. They should be fertilized every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. These plants need regular watering and special attention when planting them because they require good drainage in their potting mix.

Varieties

Impatiens have many different and popular varieties that come in shades of pink, white, red and mixed-colors, such as 'Busy Lizzie', 'New Guinea Impatiens', 'Fiesta Ole' and 'Sonic Magic'.

5. Astilbe

Description

Astilbe is a herbaceous perennial plant with plumed flowers and feathery foliage. It's an easy care and durable planter box plant that thrives well in the shady area throughout the season.

Care Tips

Astilbes prefer a humus-rich soil that is moisture-retentive and well-drained. The soil pH level should be neutral to slightly acidic. These plants require regular watering, several times per week for optimal performance. Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring or after flowering ends.

Varieties

Some popular Astilbe varieties include 'Jackmanii', 'Vision in Pink', 'Visions', 'Fanal', and 'Amethyst'.

6. Heuchera

Description

Heuchera is a shade-loving, evergreen perennial that adds both color and attractive foliage to your shaded planter boxes throughout the season. Some varieties of heuchera species may have white, pink or red flowers on spikes from spring into summer.

Care Tips

Heucheras prefer soil that is lightweight and well-draining, though it must still retain moisture. Water as needed to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Apply slow-release fertilizer before new growth appears in the spring or consider fertilizing plants once or twice each season. Watch out for pests such as spider mites or crown rot.

Varieties

There are many Heuchera varieties available with different foliage colors, including green or purple leaves. Some popular varieties include 'Cherry Cola', 'Caramel', 'Peach Flambe', 'Plum Pudding' and 'Purple Palace'.

7. Begonias

Description

Begonias are an excellent choice for planting in shaded planter boxes where they can bloom throughout the season with their attractive flowers that come in different shades, yellow, pink, red, apricot, salmon, and white. They're also quite easy to grow and maintain.

Care Tips

Begonias need consistently moist soil and moderate humidity to thrive. Water your begonias regularly and avoid getting the foliage wet. Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer. These plants can benefit from occasional pruning to promote bushier, sturdier growth.

Varieties

Some popular varieties of Begonias include 'Dragon Wing Pink', 'Nonstop Mocca Deep Orange', 'Ruffled Red Robin', 'Tuberous Begonia', and 'Angel Wing Begonia'.

8. Caladiums

Description

Caladiums is one of the most decorative foliage shade-loving plants to add to your planter boxes due to its vibrant leaves with bold color patterns of white, pink, red, and green.

Care Tips

Caladiums prefer well-drained soil that retains moisture. Be sure not to let the soil dry out completely as these plants can be sensitive to drought. If the weather gets too hot, move your planter box to a shadier location for several days. Apply slow-release fertilizer during the growing season and avoid direct sunlight or exposure to cold temperatures.

Varieties

Some popular Caladium varieties include 'Candyland', 'Carolyn Whorton', 'White Queen', 'Florida Cardinal' and 'Red Flash'.

9. Coleus

Description

Coleus is an annual shade-loving plant that grows without any fuss and is ideal for adding a pop of color and texture to your shaded planter boxes. They're quite exotic in their foliage patterns of red, pink, purple to yellow, green, and variegated options.

Care Tips

Coleus needs well-drained soil that remains moist throughout the season. Fertilize them with a balanced liquid fertilizer once every other week. Deadhead the flowers regularly to promote new growth. These plants don't do well in excessively wet conditions, so be sure to check the soil moisture before watering, especially during spells of high humidity or rain.

Varieties

Some popular Coleus varieties include 'Sunlover Hearts and Spades', 'Trailing Plum', 'Mariposa', 'Carefree Rose', and 'Kong Mixed'.

10. Vinca

Description

Vinca is another shade-loving plant ideal for planter boxes that produces attractive flowers in shades of red, pink or white. They're quite easy to care for and thrive well in shaded areas.

Care Tips

Vinca requires soil that is well-drained and moist throughout the season. The plants should be fertilized with a balanced slow-release fertilizer once every two weeks. Water your Vinca regularly, especially during dry spells, as they don't do well in excessively dry conditions.

Varieties

Some popular Vinca varieties include 'Cora Cherry', 'Pacifica Burgundy Halo', 'Wojo's Gem', 'Cooler Hot Rose' and 'Mediterranean XP Burgundy'.

Shade-loving plants are essential for creating beautiful garden planters or