10 Best Shade Loving Plants For Containers

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10 Best Shade Loving Plants For Containers

Container gardening is a wonderful way to bring nature into your outdoor space, even if you don't have much room. If you happen to live in an area with plenty of shade or have a balcony or patio that doesn't get much sun, don't worry! There are many beautiful plants that thrive in low-light conditions and can be grown in containers.

In this article, we'll introduce you to 10 of the best shade loving plants for containers, so you can create a lush and vibrant garden no matter how little natural light you have.

Description

Hostas are popular shade-loving perennials that are prized for their big, round leaves in shades of green, blue, yellow, and variegated. Although they're popular garden plants, they're also perfect for growing in containers.

Planting Tips

When planting hostas in containers, make sure you use well-draining soil mix and a pot that's at least 12 inches deep. Keep in mind that hostas will grow bigger and fuller every year, so make sure you choose the right size container to accommodate their growth. Also, plant each hosta far enough apart to give them plenty of room to expand.

Care Tips

Hostas are relatively low-maintenance plants; here are some useful tips to keep them healthy:

• Water hostas regularly, especially in hot weather.
• Mulch the soil around the plants to retain moisture.
• Fertilize hostas with a balanced fertilizer every year in spring.

Description

Ferns are one of the most diverse collections of plants, with over 12,000 species known so far. They come in all shapes and sizes and adapt well to various conditions, including low-light areas.

Planting Tips

When planting ferns in containers, use a high-quality potting mix that holds moisture well but doesn't become waterlogged. Make sure your container has good drainage holes as well. As ferns prefer acidic soil, add some peat moss or acidic fertilizer to the soil mix.

Care Tips

Here are the essential care tips for growing ferns in containers:

• Water ferns often enough to keep the soil moist but not wet.
• Place your fern container in a shaded area where it won't get direct sunlight.
• Fertilize the ferns once a month with a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.

Description

Also known as "Coral Bells," these shade-loving perennials are highly sought after for their attractive foliage that comes in various shades of green, red, purple, and silver.

Planting Tips

To grow heucheras in containers, ensure your pot has sufficient drainage holes and use a quality potting mix that contains peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. You can also incorporate compost or slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

Care Tips

Here are some useful tips for maintaining heucheras in containers:

• Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Position your container in a shaded area protected from direct sun.
• Fertilize heucheras with a balanced fertilizer every spring and mid-summer.

Description

Coral bells (Heuchera sanguinea) are shade-loving perennials grown for their attractive foliage and showy flowers. They come in various shades of pink, red, green, silver, and brown.

Planting Tips

When planting coral bells in pots, select a container that's at least 8 inches deep and wide. Use a well-draining potting soil mix and cover the planting hole with compost for improved moisture retention.

Care Tips

To take good care of coral bells in containers, follow these tips:

• Water coral bells regularly and thoroughly to keep the plant moist.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer twice a year, once in early spring and again during midsummer.
• Pinch back spent flower spikes to promote branching and more blooms.

Description

Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spp.) are classic shade-loving perennials prized for their unique heart-shaped flowers that dangle from arching stems in shades of pink, white, and red.

Planting Tips

When growing Bleeding Hearts in containers, plant them in well-draining soil in a pot that's at least 14 inches deep. These plants prefer cool soils and moist conditions, so ensure you keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods.

Care Tips

Bleeding hearts require very little attention, here are some tips to help them flourish:

• Water regularly, especially throughout the summer months.
• Mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilize bleeding hearts once every spring with a balanced fertilizer.

Description

Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) is a beautiful grass known for its slow-growth habit and attractive foliage that comes in beautiful shades of green, yellow, and red. This ornamental grass makes a statement on its own or as part of a mixed container arrangement.

Planting Tips

To grow Japanese forest grass in containers, use potting soil mix that's well-draining and rich in organic matter. Place your container in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight, and ensure the soil is consistently moist.

Care Tips

Here are some tips for taking care of Japanese forest grass in containers:

• Water the plants regularly during hot and dry conditions.
• Fertilize the grass once every year in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
• Cut back overgrown foliage to encourage new growth.

Description

Impatiens are popular shade-loving annuals known for their vibrant and showy flowers that come in shades of white, pink, red, purple, and orange.

Planting Tips

When planting impatiens in containers, choose a well-draining potting mix with peat moss or compost to improve moisture retention. Ensure the container has good drainage holes and place it in a shaded area protected from direct sunlight.

Care Tips

Here are some tips to help you take care of impatiens in containers:

• Water impatiens regularly, particularly during hot and dry periods.
• Apply a controlled-release fertilizer every six weeks throughout the growing season.
• Pinch back spent blooms and prune leggy stems to promote bushier growth.

Description

Begonias are tough shade-loving annuals that produce lovely blooms in shades of pink, orange, yellow, and white. They grow equally well in containers or in the ground.

Planting Tips

When growing begonias in containers, use a high-quality potting mix that's well-draining and rich in organic matter. Ensure your pot has at least one drainage hole to prevent waterlogging.

Care Tips

Here are some tips for taking care of begonias:

• Water them regularly to keep the soil moist (not wet).
• Fertilize every two weeks with a half-strength balanced fertilizer.
• Deadhead spent blooms and prune leggy growth for continued blooming.

Description

Toad Lilies (Tricyrtis spp.) are exotic-looking perennials with striking star-shaped blooms that come in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white.

Planting Tips

When planting Toad Lilies in containers, use a premium potting mix that's free from garden soil and disease. Choose a pot with good drainage holes and fill the container halfway with soil before planting the bulbs.

Care Tips

Here are some essential care tips for Toad Lilies in containers:

• Water Toad Lilies regularly and deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
• Fertilize once every month using a balanced fertilizer during the growing season.
• Cut back old stems to encourage new growth and more blooms.

Description

Coleus is a shade-loving annual grown for its brightly-colored leaves in various shades of green, pink, yellow, red, and purple. They also produce spikes of delicate flowers that attract pollinators.

Planting Tips

When planting coleus in containers, use a well-draining potting mix with organic matter for improved moisture retention. Choose a container with good drainage holes and place it in a shaded area away from direct sunlight.

Care Tips

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