Best Plants For A Shaded Porch
Shaded porches serve as both an oasis and an entry to your home. Finding the right plants that can thrive in the shade is easier said than done, however. So, what are the best plants for a shaded porch?
The best plants for a shaded porch are hostas, impatiens, succulents, and primrose. Other durable plants that can thrive in the shade include lamiums, begonias, hydrangeas, and ferns. Consider creeping Jenny, pansies, bergenia, and lily of the valley if you have a shaded porch.
It’s important to choose plants that don’t require lots of water and sunlight. This will ensure that they can still grow without needing lots of maintenance. Follow along as we highlight the best plants for a shaded porch and see what they need to grow and thrive.
Best Plants For A Covered Porch
Between hostas, ferns, and pansies, there is no shortage of plants that can thrive on a shaded porch. However, not all plants can survive if you move them into the shade. Let’s take a look at the best plants for a shaded porch.
Hostas
Hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are among the best plants for a shaded porch. They can thrive in shade and add a touch of color to your porch. Hostas typically bloom between May and September, and it’s best to plant them as early as possible.
They grow well in containers and pots. Hostas only require an inch of water per week to grow, so they are quite low-maintenance when compared to other plants.
Impatiens
Not only are impatiens gorgeous, but they are low-maintenance and can grow on a shaded porch. You can find both annual and perennial impatiens. Impateins will come back every year if you live in zones 10-12.
Also referred to as touch-me-nots, impatiens are much more durable when they grow from seeds. Their nickname comes from the fact that their seeds can pop when you touch them. Plant your impatiens at the start of spring after the last frost of the year to get them started early.
Succulents
Succulents can thrive in the sun however, they are also known to thrive in partially shaded areas as well. Succulents won’t necessarily thrive on a fully shaded porch, but they will do well if they get even 4 hours of sun per day.
Pay attention to how the sun hits your porch during the day. Place your succulents in a spot where the sun shines for at least a few hours per day. This will ensure that the succulent gets enough sun per day before the shade takes over.
Primrose
Put a potted primrose plant on your shaded porch to brighten up the space. Not only do primrose plants prefer the shade, but the sun is bad for them. Primrose can quickly die if you leave it out in the sun for too long.
This makes them the ideal shaded porch plant as they don’t do well in many environments because of the sun. Don’t give them too much water. Primrose only needs enough water for the soil to be damp. Overwatering primrose is an easy way to kill the plant.
Lamium
Lamiums are durable, shade-friendly plants that can thrive on a shaded porch. These purple flowers with long, thin stems are stunning. Plant the bulbs in the fall so that you can see impressive growth by the time spring and summer come around.
They are perennials, so you can count on them coming back each year if you take good care of them. Lamiums require lots of water. You need to give them up to 2 gallons per week for them to thrive, especially if you live in a hot climate.
Begonia
Begonias are staples in shaded gardens, and they look great on shaded porches. Ideally, you should plant begonias in a large pot as their root system runs quite deep. That way, you won’t have to re-pot the begonia as it eventually grows large.
You only need to water begonias every 2-4 days unless you live in a hot and dry climate. Begonias also come in many colors and styles, so you have many options when it comes to making your shaded porch as vibrant as possible.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are colorful, durable, low maintenance, and don’t require full sun to thrive. Try to place them towards the edge of your porch if possible. This will ensure that the hydrangea will get enough sun in the morning to carry them through the day once the porch is covered in shade.
If that’s not an option, you can also move the hydrangea into the sunlight in the morning for a few hours. Put your hydrangea back on the porch in the shade for the rest of the day and it should be fine and healthy.
Ferns
Ferns are arguably the most iconic shade plants. The sight of a fern hanging in a basket is familiar, and it’s with good reason. Ferns are durable and you don’t need to do much to take care of them.
You only need to water a fern twice per week. They only need 1”-2” of water total for the whole week. With that said, you should periodically check the soil to make sure it isn’t too dry.
Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny is a funny name, but it’s a gorgeous plant that doesn’t need lots of sunlight. Also known as moneywort, creeping Jenny is known for its vibrant yellow flowers. Creeping Jenny is bad for other plants when it grows too close to them in the wild.
However, it’s perfect when it’s separated from other plants and contained in a box or pot. It won’t negatively affect the surrounding plants unless you plant them in the same pot.
Pansies
Few flowers are as vibrant and colorful without requiring lots of water as pansies. You only need to water pansies once per week and they only need an inch of water at a time. While pansies don’t like full shade, they love partial shade.
They are the perfect plant for porches that let in a little bit of sunlight during the morning. After the sun passes and the shade takes over the porch, your pansies will have gotten as much light as they needed.
Bergenia
Bergenia is the perfect plant if you want to add character to your shaded porch. The pink flowers are instantly recognizable. Bergenias are unique in that they can thrive in full sun as well as shade.
If you already have a potted bergenia, you can simply move it to your shaded porch and see how it does. You don’t need to water shaded bergenias as much as you would if it was in the sun. However, you should never let the soil dry out as bergenias do best when they are consistently moist.
Lily Of The Valley
Lily of the valley is a staple of shaded gardens. It works just as well on a shaded porch and you don’t need to tend to them too often. You can typically water a lily of the valley once per week unless the soil gets dry.
Plant your lily of the valley in the fall so it will grow in the spring. The plants require a dormant period during the winter to get ready for the spring and summer.
Can Any Plant Grow In Full Shade?
Not all plants can grow in full shade. Many plants that require sunlight can grow in shade for a little while, but they may not be able to thrive for long. Lack of sunlight can hinder the growth of plants that require it. You can bring plants into the shade to get them to adapt to living with less sunlight, although they may not grow as quickly as before.
Summing It Up
Hostas, impatiens, succulents, and primrose are the best plants for a shaded porch. Other plants like lamiums, begonias, hydrangeas, ferns, and pansies can thrive without full sunlight. Plant a lily of the valley or bergenia in a potted plant and it should thrive on your shaded porch.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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