By Jennifer Poindexter
Shaded spaces can be difficult when trying to grow flowers. If you have a shaded porch where you’d like to grow hanging or potted plants, there are options.
There are some plants that prefer to grow in partial or full shade. They have delicate leaves which shrivel when exposed to too much light or heat.
If you need inspiration for hanging or potted plants to grow on a shaded porch, I have you covered. I’ve compiled a list of plants that should be a good fit for this type of growing location.
Here are the best hanging or potted plants to grow on your shaded porch:
1. Coleus
Coleus is a gorgeous plant with vibrant foliage. The colors can range in depth from darker to almost neon shades.
If you’re interested in growing this plant, it will mainly serve as an annual in most areas as it’s only hardy in planting zone eleven. This plant serves as a great centerpiece for a hanging basket or planter. Yet, it also makes a wonderful filler plant as well.
2. Vinca
Vinca is a traditional flower that comes in a variety of colors including white, pink, and red. Most vincas are annuals and bloom from mid-summer through the first fall frost.
These plants thrive in partial shade and are even mildly drought-tolerant. If you’d like a simple flower to add charm to your porch, don’t overlook this option.
3. Begonia
Begonias are a versatile flower. In cooler climates, they can handle more sun. However, in warmer locations, they do well in shadier growing conditions.
Keep in mind, begonias are considered tender perennials. Therefore, you must bring them indoors to overwinter them. Otherwise, you must treat them as annuals.
4. Ferns
Ferns are an excellent way to bring life to a shaded porch. I use them on my own front porch which receives some morning sunlight but is otherwise shaded the remainder of the day.
Like begonias, ferns may be overwintered indoors and live for many years. However, if you don’t bring them indoors overwinter, they should be treated as annuals. Ferns thrive in growing locations with adequate shade, moisture, and humidity.
5. Bacopa
Bacopa is a beautiful, bushy flower that produces small colorful blooms. These plants typically grow in full sun.
However, they can thrive in partial shade as well. Keep in mind, they may not bloom as prolifically. Also, be sure to provide these plants with plenty of water as dry soil may lead to fewer blooms.
6. Monkey Flower
The monkey flower produces bright, trumpet-like blooms. They thrive in planting zones three through nine and are considered perennials in these areas.
These flowers are flexible in their growing conditions. Meaning, they bloom more in full sun. Yet, they can still grow in partial or full shade as well.
7. Impatiens
Impatiens are another traditional flower with simple but colorful blooms. These plants are perennials in planting zones ten and eleven. In other areas, they should be treated as annuals.
Not to mention, these flowers love the shade and can survive on as little as two hours of filtered sunlight per day. Just be sure to provide evenly damp, well-draining soil in their growing location.
8. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is a beautiful and unique plant. The blooms are layered, and the top bloom opens only to release a rounded center that dangles like a bell. Plus, these flowers are brightly colored. Should you wish to add fuchsia to your shaded porch, be sure to provide the right conditions.
These flowers are tender perennials and can’t tolerate frost. An ideal growing location would include shade mixed with dappled sunlight and temperatures below 80-degrees Fahrenheit. These flowers thrive in many soil types. The key is to ensure the soil drains adequately.
9. Hosta
Hosta plants stand out for their bright green foliage, long vertical shoots, and dainty blooms which hang from the shoots. These plants are perennials and are hardy in planting zones three through nine.
These plants are well-loved, not only for being perennial, but because they’re low-maintenance. They need rich, well-draining soil and can thrive in partial to full shade. Provide these few ingredients, and you should have gorgeous, green plants for years to come.
10. Coral Bells
Coral bells are another plant filled with colorful foliage, long stems, and dainty blooms which appear at the end of the stems. This plant is an herbaceous, shade-loving perennial. It comes in every color imaginable ranging from light gray to black.
If you’d like to add coral bells to your shaded porch, be sure to provide the appropriate growing conditions. These plants thrive when provided partial shade and well-draining soil.
11. Torenia
Torenia is a delicate, trailing flower that is excellent for both planters and hanging baskets. This plant consists of green foliage and small, colorful, cup-shaped blooms. In most cases, torenia should be grown as an annual. It’s technically a perennial but is only hardy in planting zones ten and eleven.
To keep this plant happy, be sure to grow it in a location with well-draining soil that’s consistently damp. Also, provide plenty of shade as the temperatures rise. The reason being, this plant doesn’t do well in locations with high temperatures and humidity.
12. Western Bleeding Heart
Western bleeding heart also goes by the name Pacific bleeding heart and dicentra Formosa. No matter what you call it, this could be a great addition to your shaded porch.
This plant has red or pink heart-shaped blooms which dangle from its delicate branches. The plant enjoys partial shade and prefers to grow in a location with well-draining soil that’s evenly damp.
13. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is an excellent trailing element for either a potted plant creation or a hanging basket. Though simplistic, it’s hard to overlook this option due to its bright green, rounded foliage. Plus, this plant produces small, colorful blooms.
Should you wish to add Creeping Jenny to your porch, be sure to provide the right growing conditions. The containers should be filled with well-draining soil. However, you must water the plant regularly as it needs consistently damp soil, too. Yet, it should never be left in an oversaturated state. Also, be sure to grow Creeping Jenny in partial shade as it does need some sunlight to thrive.
14. Lobelia
Lobelia is frequently called the cardinal flower due to the shape and color of its blooms. If you need a pop of color on your porch, don’t overlook this option. This plant would be a nice choice for either a hanging basket or planter as it only grows to be about a foot tall and equally as wide.
Though this flower is typically grown where it receives six or more hours of direct sunlight, it can thrive in partial shade, too. The main thing is to ensure lobelia is planted in nutrient-dense soil that drains adequately.
15. Clematis
Did you know there are over 300 varieties of clematis? It’s no wonder this plant is one of the most popular vining perennials among gardeners. There are so many options that there must be a variety to match almost any preference.
Should you choose to grow a clematis plant, it will need partial shade and soil that’s high in nutrients. The soil must also drain adequately and remain consistently damp.
You now have fifteen options for plants to incorporate on a shaded porch. Some options will grow best in a planter, others in a hanging basket, and some will work for both.
Also, some plants can handle full shade while others still need some sunlight to thrive. Be sure to study the growing conditions of each plant, and provide them, to ensure they thrive under your care.
Now, pick the plants you like most, ensure you’re in the right planting zones and can supply what each plant needs, and begin creating a beautiful oasis on your shaded porch.
More About Shaded Hanging or Potted Plants
https://extension.psu.edu/shade-tolerant-trees-shrubs-and-groundcovers
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/plants-for-shade/
https://lee.ces.ncsu.edu/2021/06/shade-gardening/
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