Most people think plants need a perfect balance of sun and rain to thrive. While that’s true for many, plenty of plants actually prefer less sun—and too much of it can leave them struggling.
If your garden doesn’t get much direct sunlight, don’t worry! Whether you have a north-facing yard, a shaded balcony, or an apartment with limited natural light, you can still grow a lush and thriving space.
The good news? Many plants actually love the shade. You just need to know which ones to choose—and this list will help you find the perfect fit. We’ve put our top picks together based on the advice of gardening experts from Gardening Knowhow, nurseries like Proven Winners, and nurseries like Hopes Grove Nurseries.
1. Snowdrops
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
For those who struggle in the dark and colder months, the first blooms of snowdrops are a delight. When snowdrops arrive, it’s a sign that spring is on the way. They will poke through the soil in February and will continue to flower until the daffodils arrive in March.
As a late-winter bloomer, snowdrops have to survive without sunlight. Gardeners World says they are happy in full shade and are tolerant of cold and waterlogged soil.
2. Foxglove
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
The BBC Gardeners World website lists Foxglove as one of its favorite shade-loving plants. Like the snowdrop, this is a woodland variety, and any plant that thrives in wooded areas has to survive without direct sunlight.
Foxgloves are self-seeding, so you may find them spreading across your garden every year. In my yard, they tend to grow next to fences and walls where heat is reflected and they can maximize any sun they can access.
3. Fuchsia
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
The fuchsia is a very hardy garden plant. They will thrive in virtually any soil conditions, and if your garden remains moist through lack of sunlight, that’s not a problem.
They will not, however, be happy in deep shade, so if you have no sun at all in your garden, choose one of our other suggestions. With the help of modest rays from the sun, you’ll be rewarded with a colorful display deep into the fall months.
4. Lobelia
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Lobelia plants like plenty of water and moist soil, and won’t tend to thrive on a surface that keeps drying out. Soil that retains moisture is ideal, so if you don’t want to water them twice a day, Proven Winners advises that you should keep them in an area with partial shade.
The lobelia is a great border plant that produces stunning blue and purple flowers, and as long as it has the right conditions, it is relatively low-maintenance.
5. Hellebore
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Any plant that lives through the cold months needs to adapt to a lack of sunlight. The hellebore is also referred to as the “winter rose” and that offers a clue to its hardy nature.
It may look delicate, but this is a tough plant, that blooms from late winter to early spring. The hellebore also develops larger leaves which, according to Ashwood Nurseries, can provide shade for any of the other plants on this list.
6. Potatoes
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
This list isn’t all about pretty flowers! Many home gardeners enjoy growing fruits and vegetables. It’s an extremely rewarding hobby, and the results can be delicious.
While many edible plants require a good mix of sun and water, there are some that are happy in shade. Ideally, potatoes should have around six hours of sun each day, but you can still develop a decent crop in partial shade. Other options include lettuce, beets, and eggplant.
7. Strawberries
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Many fruits will also tolerate shade: Cherries, raspberries, and blackberries are just three options, while strawberries will be a popular choice.
We tend to think of these tasty fruits as a summer staple, but while some varieties insist on sunlight, there are alternatives. The alpine strawberry that is evident in many grocery stores is developed on woodland floors with only partial sunlight to give it a boost.
8. Spotted Laurel
Image Credit: Syrio, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
Also known by its Latin name of Aucuba japonica, the laurel is a versatile plant that can adapt to most conditions. We’ve chosen the spotted laurel as our suggestion, as this is an attractive variant, with large leaves which are dotted with yellow.
Depending on the variety of laurel, it may prefer full shade, partial shade, or full sun, so check before you buy. Harrod Outdoors says that the spotted variety is happiest when away from direct sunlight, so it’s the best option if you have a shady space.
9. Columbine
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Also sold via its common nickname of “Granny’s Bonnet,” the columbine plant will produce more abundant blooms in partial shade. The bell-shaped flowers that give it its name will, however, prefer soil that drains well, so be wary of this point.
Columbine is a beautiful plant that will brighten up a gloomy space in your yard. With a range of charming flowers from blue to violet, it’s a popular choice for many home gardeners.
10. Bluebells
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Once the snowdrops and daffodils have faded away for another year, bluebells take over. A late spring/early summer plant, they are often seen as an attractive ground layer on a woodland floor.
As we’ve learned, woodland plants are happy in shady conditions, so the bluebell is another option for your home garden. The shade of trees and shrubs offers perfect cover for their delightful flowers.
11. Coral Bells
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
In hotter countries around the world, it’s essential to find plants that are happiest when away from the sun. Coral Bells, also known as Heuchera, originate from Australia and have adapted to grow well in partial shade.
Coral Bells are popular among gardeners as they love to fill gaps. If you have space between trees and larger plants, the burnt bronze leaves provide an amazing contrast.
12. Ostrich Fern
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Most ferns can thrive in shady conditions, and the feathery leaves provide an attractive display. There are lots to choose from, but we’ve gone for the ostrich fern. It’s not particularly large, as the name suggests, but its fronds resemble the feathers of an ostrich, and that’s how the plant gets its name.
Agroforestry Research Trust shares that the ostrich fern is also edible. It grows wild in parts of North America and can be eaten as a cooked spring vegetable with a flavor similar to that of asparagus.
13. Giant Lilyturf
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
If you have a large shady place that you would like to cover, the giant lilyturf is a great pick. Maybe you’re just not into gardening, and despite our best efforts, you just want a fast covering with little or no maintenance.
Hopes Grove Nurseries says that the giant lilyturf is a grass-like perennial that can tolerate partial and full shade. It’s attractive too, with pretty purple flowers, and will only require a little pruning to trim any dead foliage.
Read More:
How to Get Free Seeds and Plants: A Guide for Gardeners
Top Plant Picks for 2025, According to Experts
