We’re often taught that plants need water and sunlight to thrive, but did you know you can grow several varieties that prefer not to be in the sun?
That means you can put them in the corners of your home (as long as you remember to water them) or in the shady areas of your yard without worrying they won’t thrive. These plants do need a certain level of care, but full sunlight isn’t one of their requirements.
If you’re looking to fill in those shady areas of your garden or add a houseplant that’s easy to care for, these are some good varieties to consider.
Peacock Plant
Have you ever seen a plant upset that it’s getting sunlight? If you own a peacock plant, you just might. The leaves droop and start paling. That should be your first sign to get this plant some shade, stat.
Peacock plants are very showy, much like the birds they’re named after. Just picture the big, bold leaves as feathers, and it will all make sense. That said, to keep its showboating nature, make sure it’s kept in moist soil and humid temperatures.
Cast Iron Plant
The name should give it away here: this is one hardy plant! It has thick, glossy leaves that make a statement whether you keep it indoors as a houseplant or outside as part of your garden setup.
The cast iron plant is notoriously hard to kill, so it also hits the list of easiest plants to own. They need rich, slightly moist soil and can tolerate some drought conditions.
Dracaena
The dracaena is a houseplant that comes in several varieties, including ones that have a tree-like structure. It’s also known for its air-purifying capabilities. You can put the dracaena just about anywhere, including a shelf, table, or floor.
This plant is easy to care for and thrives in low-light conditions. It doesn’t require a lot of water, just slightly wet soil and the occasional misting.
Peace Lily
Don’t get this fooled with a real lily, but it certainly is an impact plant that’s sure to start a conversation. This consistently ranks on the list of easiest plants to care for, thanks to its ability to grow even in low-light conditions. Just don’t expect it to flower as much.
The peace lily requires watering approximately once a week and less in the winter months. It is a toxic plant to pets, though, so if you have dogs or cats, this may not be a good fit.
Philodendron
If you love a plant with great foliage, you’ll truly appreciate the beauty that is the philodendron. Thick, glossy leaves make up the bulk of this plant, which comes in several varieties, including those that climb.
While it may prefer light, it can thrive in shady conditions, too, so don’t be afraid to bring it home and place it on a table or shelf. You’ll need to keep the top inch of soil moist and avoid pet contact, as the plant is toxic when consumed.
Snake Plant
Snake plants are one of my favorites, simply for their bold leaves that stand straight up and end in a dramatic point. They are easy to care for, even if you neglect them, and do extremely well in the shade.
Don’t overwater this plant, because it will rot, and it prefers a sandier soil and warmer temperatures.
Bleeding Heart
If you’re looking for a colorful option for your garden or landscape, you can’t go wrong with a bleeding heart. This plant produces equally gorgeous foliage and flowers, and actually prefers to be in the dark.
It thrives in partial to full shade conditions in soil that’s well-drained. It’s a simple plant to care for, and while it goes dormant in the summer months, you can expect it to rebloom in the spring.
Toad Lily
Unlike the peace lily, the toad lily is a true representation of the class. It’s a stunning flower that has a white bloom with purple speckles throughout. And the best part? It blooms even in full shade. You can expect to see the flowers toward the end of the summer.
The toad lily does need a bit more watering and does best in well-draining soil.
Viola
Violas are beautiful flowers that come in many shades, including bicolor options, and make a wonderful addition as a border plant. They bloom in the spring and tend to be cooler weather plants—don’t expect to see much of them in the summer as they tend to wither in the heat.
Violas like partial shade conditions and thrive best when the soil is kept evenly moist.
Lungwort
Don’t let the name put you off! Lungwort is a gorgeous flowering plant that has dramatic foliage that only enhances the bell-shaped blooms. The flowers tend to grow in pink but turn shades of blue as they mature. It’s a deer-resistant variety.
Lungwort likes partial to full shade conditions and, like viola, likes evenly moist, well-draining soil.
Hosta
The hosta is a stunning plant with large foliage that occasionally blooms long stalks of flowers in the later months of the year. I have a variety of them outside my home, both in the front and backyard, and they grow amazingly lush, up to three feet tall, even in full shade.
Hostas do need to be kept watered to thrive, so if it’s not raining regularly near you, make sure you get out and wet that soil.
Coleus
If you need a pop of drama in your garden, look no further than the Coleus. This plant has light green leaves with a dramatic pop of color in the center, and they last up until the first frost hits.
The coleus thrives in partial or full shade and requires moist soil to grow, and grow it will, up to three feet tall.
