If you want to put colorful flowers in your window box but don’t have a sunny one, then look no further. We have selected the best plants for shaded window boxes, including Lantana, Impatiens, Geraniums, Ground ivy, and Verbena. These perennials will grow in most types of window boxes, including sunny and partially shady areas. Once you know which plants thrive in your window box, you’ll know which plants will do best in your container.
Lantana
There are a few different varieties of lantana, all of which can be used in window boxes. These annual flowers are a beautiful addition to any window box. While lantanas can tolerate some shade, they do need a certain amount of sun each day. Depending on your location and climate, you can use dwarf varieties or trailing lantanas. Choose a variety that is not only drought tolerant, but also has lots of foliage.
Lantana is drought-tolerant, but it is still best planted in the top 1 or 2 inches of soil to prevent splashing of foliage. Also, remember that plant containers require frequent watering because their roots can become waterlogged. To help keep your lantana healthy and happy, add slow-release fertilizer to the soil. You can use water-soluble fertilizer every month.
Petunias are another good plant for shaded window boxes. Petunias can be either single or double blooms. They grow in part shade but tolerate hot afternoon sun. Their flowers are often soft lavender in color. Lantana is also drought-resistant, making it an excellent choice for shaded window boxes. It is perennial in USDA Zones nine through eleven.
Ice Plant: A low-growing perennial that tolerates low-shade, the Ice Plant has colorful flower stalks that spill out naturally. This plant is best grown in full sun, but can survive partial shade. The plant will not bloom as much in part shade, but it can tolerate it. It is available in pink, yellow, or purple varieties. They attract pollinating insects.
Impatiens
Impatiens are one of the most popular summer-blooming shrubs and are a perfect fit for window boxes. They come in many colors and patterns and can tolerate deep shade. Impatiens also thrive in containers and don’t require much maintenance. The bright blooms of this flowering shrub provide a bright base for taller flowers. Impatiens are also low-maintenance plants, as they don’t require deadheading and flower continuously throughout the growing season.
Impatiens are a great choice for window boxes in partial shade. Their bright blooms will cover the entire window box. They require regular watering, but do not like direct sunlight. If you’re planning to plant impatiens in a window box in partial shade, make sure you water them regularly and keep them out of the wind. For best results, plant them close together to maximize their blooms.
For an easy arrangement, try three different kinds of impatiens in a window box. Inch-wide impatiens cascade over the edge of the box and make a pretty picture. You can also try foliage-based kale, sedge, or dark-colored coral flower stalks. Impatiens are a great plant for shaded window boxes because they’re cheap and easy to grow.
Geraniums
If you have a window box with shade, geraniums are the perfect choice. These plants do not like extreme temperatures and have attractive foliage. They can produce flowers in both double and single blooms. The colors and patterns of the foliage make them an excellent choice. Geraniums are also easy to maintain. Here are some tips for choosing the right plant for your window box. Geraniums are a perennial, but they can be grown in containers.
There are over 300 species of geraniums, and each one of them has a unique and stunning appearance. Many come in vibrant shades of pink, purple, or red, and can tolerate light frost and prolonged freezes. They are drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, growing from one to twelve inches. These plants are best suited for partially shaded window boxes, but they can also thrive in full sun.
If you choose geraniums for your shaded window boxes, you should space them five inches apart to ensure their healthy growth. When planting your geraniums, remember to space them so they look full. Also, don’t forget to water them frequently. In hot weather, the soil dries out very quickly, and it may require daily watering. Fertilize your geraniums once a week, and cut back their stems regularly to promote flowering.
Ground ivy
If your window box is in a shady spot, ground ivy is the perfect plant for it. It fills up the space and forms a hanging effect. You can plant an inch-tall plant that cascades over the window box’s edge. It also grows well even in shaded conditions. Ground ivy can be pruned, and its leaves are beautiful and fragrant.
Ground ivy is a shade-loving plant, but you should be careful not to use it in an overly sunny location. Its foliage is red and can create a striking contrast with any other flowers in the window box. Ground ivy is a great choice for a shaded window box, as it can tumble over the edge. This plant can also grow well next to leafier plants in a window box.
A small amount of sunlight is required for verbena to grow, but this plant doesn’t require full sun. Part shade will do, and it requires a well-drained soil. Verbena produces flowers that are soft and lavender in color. It also tolerates low humidity, so you can plant it in a window box that receives morning sun. It is best planted in a container where it receives afternoon shade and is not in a sunny location.
Asparagus fern is another green foliage plant that is excellent for window boxes. It can grow straight or drape over the sides of the window box, and its thin feather-like leaves look great in a window box. When grown in a window box, it will fill the entire container with green foliage and spike up with color. This plant will complement a white or cream window box.
Sweet potato vine
Choosing the right plant for your window box is important if you want it to grow successfully. Sweet potato vines grow well in window boxes and are easy to care for. Sweet potato vines are an excellent choice because they come in a wide variety of colors and are very low-maintenance. Here are some tips for growing them. Sweet potato vines can be grown easily from cuttings.
To grow this plant, choose organically-grown sweet potatoes. Store-bought varieties are often sprayed to prevent sprouting. You can also purchase sprouting potatoes. Place the potato in water and balance it with toothpicks. Place the potted sweet potato in a bright spot. Sprouting occurs between one and eight weeks. Choose a firm potato without blemishes or dark spots.
The vines are hardy to zone eight, but they do require some assistance in winter. When the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, they will die. To protect your plant from cold, sweet potato vines can be overwintered indoors. Because they don’t require potting soil, they’re easy to keep in a sunny window. If you’d prefer to grow sweet potato vines in a window box, you can buy them in containers and plant them in the spring.
Another excellent choice for shaded window boxes is sweet potato vine. It has several varieties with interesting foliage and colorful flowers. You can also choose dusty miller plant. This low-maintenance perennial doesn’t grow very tall and requires minimal water. It will not grow very tall, but it does well in shady conditions. Sweet potato vines should be planted in tall containers or window boxes, with room for growth. Using compost is also recommended for added nutrients and moisture.
Coleus
The heady leaves of coleus can be a distraction from the flowering foliage in shaded window boxes. Thankfully, the plant’s foliage can hide many other shortcomings. Coleus varieties range from red to purple and can grow up to eight feet tall. Depending on how much sunlight they receive, you may want to consider using a tuberous begonia as a filler and thriller. Tuberous begonia comes in a wide variety of colors, from red to yellow to orange.
Aside from being an excellent plant for shaded window boxes, coleus also has beautiful foliage. Many varieties have stunning red and orange foliage, which is often a beautiful sight to behold. These plants are designed to tolerate afternoon sun and thrive in a shady location. To grow them, you’ll need to prepare the soil for a shaded location, but be sure to keep them above 60 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.
When selecting coleus, consider your climate and the type of flowering plant you’d like. The plant grows well in a shaded environment and is easy to care for. Its colorful flower stalks can add to the beauty of a window box. While it can grow in a shaded window box, the plant can also be grown outdoors. Its flower stalks last for long and can be cut for another use.
