Those who want to enjoy the beauty of flowers on a shaded porch should consider putting some of the following plants in pots. Hostas, Bleeding heart, Impatiens, and Coleus are just some of the many choices you have. If you’re looking for more ideas, keep reading! We’ll show you how to choose the best plants for your porch. Once you’ve made your decision, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to add a beautiful plant to your porch.
Hostas
Hostas are native to China, Korea, and Japan. They first became popular in the United States during the 1980s. Most hostas have a single color, but some are variegated. The most common variety has two stripes of contrasting color around the edge of each leaf. Some hostas have three colors: white, pink, and lavender. If you’re looking for a plant that will look beautiful in a shaded porch, try a hosta.
Shade-loving hostas are ideal for a porch, patio, or deck. They are attractive perennials with big, showy leaves and vary in texture and color. They add a splash of color to any garden. However, they’re toxic to pets. This means you have to watch your pet closely while planting hostas, especially if you have a dog or cat. If you’re worried about your pet nibbling on your plants, don’t plant hostas.
If you want to keep the plant affordable, split it with a friend. You can save money on splitting hostas, if you ask them to divide them before they open. Hostas can be quite large, so dividing them every few years will keep them manageable. If you’re concerned about growing too many plants, consider using a potting mix that has high moisture content. These will help the plants survive in the shade and provide plenty of moisture.
Coleus
You’re probably wondering which plants are right for a shaded porch. These beautiful plants are members of the mint family and have colorful leaves. Coleus has flowers that resemble spearmint but are much more spectacular in a shady location. Before planting, sterilize your plant pots with diluted bleach and water. Fill the pots half way with potting soil, and insert the coleus plant. Water thoroughly. Add soil if necessary, and wait about a week before adding new plants.
While coleus is commonly sold as a bedding plant, it can survive in a shaded area as a houseplant. Plants can be protected from winter chill by overwintering in a glass jar or pot. Overwintering coleus is possible provided outdoor temperatures are above 70°F. When planting in winter, rotate your coleus plants and pinch back their stems to maintain their shape. You can also grow coleus under grow lights.
The main benefit of growing coleus in a container is that you can control the amount of sun they receive. Since they’re primarily grown for their foliage, you can easily pinch off the blooms and keep them looking nicer. Just be sure to fertilize your coleus plants at least twice a year. Make sure to water them well, and avoid windy or wet locations. If your plant is in a sunny area, you can also use self-watering planters.
Bleeding heart
If you’re looking for the perfect flowers for a shaded porch, consider a small plant like a bleeding heart. These perennials typically flower in spring and bloom into summer. They tend to die back if the weather gets too hot, but they’re a gorgeous addition to any porch. To make them bloom all season, plant several of the same type, so that they will have a long period of flowering.
Common and old-fashioned bleeding hearts are both easy to grow perennials that thrive in shady areas. These plants have heart-shaped flowers and prefer moist soil with a neutral or slightly acidic pH. While most bleeding hearts grow in full sun, there are some types that can tolerate shade. A bare-root plant, or a potted plant, can be planted in early spring. Once established, you can divide it to cover more area.
Another option is to plant a few bleeding hearts in a large pot. They can grow up to three feet tall in a container and will need a large space. This shade-loving perennial will thrive in a large pot. Be sure to choose a pot with enough drainage holes to keep moisture away from the plant. After that, move it to a shady area to enjoy all of its beauty.
Impatiens
Impatiens will flourish in a shaded porch as long as it receives plenty of water. The plant will flourish if the soil drains well and is rich in organic matter. Watering impatiens once a week should prevent root rot. To prevent this, check the soil’s moisture level regularly with a finger. Water the soil just enough to keep the finger moist but not so much that the roots become wet. Water impatiens only when the finger comes up dry or wet. Drying out the plants will cause the cell walls to break down, and this will make them weak and not grow well.
Impatiens come in a variety of colors and forms. The Walleriana variety is the most common, while Sunpatiens is more resistant to full sunlight. The New Guinea variety has foliage that resembles tropical foliage. Impatiens are perennials but can also be grown as annuals in Zones 2-9. Impatiens are easy to grow and relatively inexpensive. You can purchase a potted pack of six to twenty-four plants for as little as $3 or $12.
Sedums
Whether you want to add color and height to your porch, sedums are the perfect choice. Planting sedums in spring or summer is the best time to get them started. This is because sedums grow in clumps. They can grow up to 2 feet tall, but in cold climates, they should be planted in sun-loving varieties. After the last frost date, divide the clump into sections and plant them in similar soil conditions.
The sedums are drought-tolerant, but they do require good drainage. Newly planted sedums need to be watered regularly to get a good start, but they do not require additional watering once they’ve established. Too much water can cause the stems to rot. Sedums also prefer well-drained soil. However, nitrogen-rich soils can make the plants flop. To minimize the chances of this happening, add an inch or two of compost to your soil in spring.
If you want to plant sedums in a pot, choose one that has a slow release rate. You do not need to fertilize the sedum regularly throughout the growing season, but supplemental feedings are not necessary. However, if you want your sedums to bloom, try using a 15-15-15 liquid fertilizer diluted to a ratio of one part of fertilizer to one part.
Boxwood
If you’re looking for the best plants for a shaded porch, boxwood is a great choice. Boxwood is an evergreen that can be shaped or kept in its natural form. There are also smaller container-friendly varieties, so you can put a variety in your porch without causing too much damage. However, if you plan on planting boxwood in full sun, keep in mind that it can suffer from winter burn, which results from the leaves drying out.
If you’re looking for the best plants for shaded porch, consider adding ferns. Boston ferns provide a beautiful texture to a shady corner, and they are hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. For winter, you can move them indoors for protection from harsh temperatures. Boxwood shrubs are also great for privacy and are available in many varieties, ranging from small maze-like clumps to mammoths.
In a shady location, this classic plant is an excellent choice for a topiary. The unique bronze color of this shrub is a stunning accent for a shaded porch, but it does not have the sparkle you might be looking for. To soften the formality of the plant, consider adding some brighter plants. This will add a pop of color while keeping the overall look elegant and simple.
Cyclamen
If your porch is in a shaded position, cyclamen is an excellent choice. It requires little maintenance, except watering. The tubers should be planted close to the surface of the soil with the tops slightly exposed. Avoid over-watering cyclamen, which can cause bulb rot. When transplanting cyclamen, use a saucer to avoid rotting the tuber.
For best results, plant cyclamen seed as soon as possible after it has finished flowering. After flowering, the plant will lose some of its leaves and rest. However, regular foliar feeding will keep the plant growing. A partially shaded porch or a lath-house is perfect for growing cyclamen through the summer months. Though cyclamen may not be the easiest plant to grow, it is a rewarding challenge for gardeners and porch dwellers alike.
To ensure your cyclamen plant survives the summer, water it regularly. This shaded porch plant grows from corm-like tubers. It requires moist, rich soil with excellent drainage. It should not be overwatered, but it should receive a little water every two weeks. Keep the plant in a shallow saucer of water every two weeks. Then, the plant will be fine.
