In case your garden doesn’t receive enough light, there are some low-light-tolerant plants that will thrive in your area. Coral Bells, Lady ferns, Fittonia, and Foamflower are all excellent options. Read on to learn more. Listed below are the best outdoor plants for low light situations. Read on to discover how to select the best plants for low light gardens. You’ll be glad you did!
Foamflower
If you have a shady area in your yard, you’re likely looking for the best outdoor plants for low light. These plants thrive in less than ideal conditions and can transform your yard into a lush green oasis. The best low-light plants will have larger leaves and are more tolerant of less light. Below are a few suggestions. To get the best results, plant the plants in containers or in low-light areas.
Coral Bells: These low-light plants are known for their vibrant foliage and blooms in springtime. They thrive in zones 3 to 8 and do not require much sunlight. The leaves on the plant curl when they receive direct sunlight. In addition to low-light requirements, prayer plants require moist soil and high humidity. Unlike other plants, prayer plants are low-maintenance and low-light performers. They can grow up to six feet tall, though indoors they tend to grow a little smaller.
If you’re looking for a plant with blooms, consider hydrangea. This perennial plant grows to six to twelve inches and blooms in pink, white, and blue. They are an excellent choice for areas with poor light. This plant goes dormant during the hot summer months but re-grows in the fall and spring and adds color to your landscape throughout the year. Foxgloves, which are biennials, bloom in late spring or summer. They’re also tolerant of part sun in most zones.
Coral Bells
In a landscape with limited sunlight, coral bells are an excellent choice. Their colorful foliage and delicate bell-shaped flowers are a lovely contrast. These plants grow in most planting zones. The foliage will remain beautiful all year round. They look good even in winter landscapes because the bells’ leaves hide the waning foliage of bulb plants. In a low-light landscape, coral bells will produce billows of delicate flower-like flowers.
Coral bells will tolerate a variety of soil conditions, except for heavy clay and soggy soil. They will benefit from compost to improve drainage and water. They also appreciate a thick layer of wood chip mulch. They do not mind temperatures below -27F, but will need a good deal of humus. If you’re not sure which plants are suitable for your landscape, check out the following list of low-light plants.
While the coral bells plant will grow in any area, it will thrive in part shade or full sun. Full Sun will require additional water and take longer to grow. They require average moisture, but need additional water if placed in full sun. They grow best in clay soil, although they won’t do well in heavy clay. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t grow coral bells in low light areas – there are many varieties of this perennial.
Lady ferns
One of the best outdoor plants for low light is a Lady Fern, which is native to the eastern and central U.S. The plant has deeply cut, light green fronds that grow up to two feet long. As the plant grows, the red stems become more intense. It is best grown in a shaded spot but can tolerate some sun as long as the soil remains moist.
A clump-forming ground cover that grows from underground rhizomes, Lady Fern provides visual interest to dark areas. They are also capable of tolerating more sunlight than average ferns, making them excellent outdoor plants for low light. They provide protection from overhead predators and aid native mammals, insects, and amphibians. The Lady Fern has become a popular choice among homeowners for landscapes, where it requires less light.
If you have low light in your garden, choose a fern that requires a medium amount of light. Lady ferns have the highest light requirement of all ferns. They require full or part shade to grow. They can reach a height of five feet or more. The ostrich fern is another low-light perennial. It grows to be about five feet tall and wide. Another low-light fern to consider is the aster (astilbe). These perennial, bush-like plants have colorful fall foliage, and are deer-resistant.
It’s essential to keep the soil moist, and provide extra water to prevent the soil from drying out. Fertilizer is not necessary, but you can add a slow-release fertilizer to boost its growth. A lady fern is susceptible to slug damage, so make sure to protect it with diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells. In the summer, they need dappled shade.
Fittonia
If your outdoor space doesn’t receive much light, you can move fittonia to a more direct spot. The reason for this is simple. The Fittonia will grow upward to reach light, so if you don’t have direct sunlight, move it to a location with indirect light. The Fittonia has a leggy stem and compacted foliage if it doesn’t get enough light.
There are many varieties of Fittonia. Some have pink veins on their leaves, while others are silver or white. Fittonia can tolerate low light but doesn’t do well in direct sunlight. The best time to grow fittonia is early morning or in a sheltered area during the winter, but it doesn’t thrive in full sunlight. You can mist it occasionally to help it stay healthy. If you don’t have much light, you can mix it with green plants and add more color.
If your plant is getting too much light, you can try placing it in a shaded area. This will prevent the plant from feeling too much heat. It can survive in low light, but you should still make sure it gets enough water to thrive. Fittonia plants are best in bright, indirect light. Avoid placing your plant directly in the sun if you want to make sure it thrives in low light conditions.
Caladium
If you have trouble growing a flowering plant, caladiums may be the solution for your indoor problem. These plants prefer high humidity, which is difficult to obtain during the winter heating season. In addition, caladiums die back when brought indoors, so increasing humidity will help them survive the winter months. Caladiums are tubers, so they will need time to rest after blooming, because they have exhausted all of their carbohydrates. If you want to enjoy a seasonal display, you can purchase a tuber.
Heart to Heart ™ Caladiums have lush, tropical foliage that will add an exotic look to your living room, garden bed, or container. They also tolerate low light conditions. You can grow new varieties with smaller leaves, or plant them in mass in your garden. You can grow them in a shady spot with other plants that need bright light. Regardless of the location, they do best in a sunny or partially shady spot.
If you have a sunny room, but lacks natural light, Caladiums thrive in a bathroom. Although this location is not ideal for a tropical plant, it can provide enough humidity to keep the Caladium happy and healthy. To keep the humidity levels high, you can keep a mister or spray bottle nearby. Simply spray the plant several times a day. If you don’t have a window, you can place the plant on a small table, counter, or shelf.
Heuchera
Heuchera is a great plant to grow in a shade garden. Its foliage is a splash of color throughout the seasons. While the flowers are short-lived, they add an informal flavor to the garden. You can also use heuchera in a partial-shade area. The plant grows well in both full and partial shade. However, it must be well-watered in the early stages of growth.
Heuchera belongs to the Saxifragaceae family, which includes several ornamental plants. Its name comes from the Latin saxum, which means “rock,” and frangere, which means “break.” These plants were named such because their roots contribute to the erosion of rocks. Heuchera and tiarella are closely related genera and were artificially crossed to create an intergeneric hybrid x heucherella.
Heuchera is a great plant for a shady area because of its large foliage. These plants have brilliant red, pink, and white foliage, which attracts hummingbirds and is attractive in cut arrangements. Plants can grow up to two feet apart. They need four hours of sunlight per day to grow fully and flower. Heuchera is also deer-resistant once established.
You can easily propagate Heuchera from seeds. Seeds grow quickly from these plants. Plant them in two weeks or less, and they will send out roots very quickly. Just remember to thin the seedlings as they grow so you don’t hurt them during transplanting. If you’re planting them in a container, you may want to consider a raised bed. Raised beds will keep the soil well-drained, and it will allow for better air circulation.