Florida is known for its sunshine and beautiful tropical flowers that grow in our hot and humid climate. Ask any homeowner in Florida what to plant in their backyard, and they will fire off a list of plants that thrive in sunshine, but those same plants won’t grow or bloom in the shade.

If you have shady spaces in your yard that you’re unsure what to do with, then take a look at the list of plants below that grow and flourish in the shade. Many homeowners find themselves in this kind of predicament, with part of their backyard shaded by big trees (and often the trees are from their neighbor’s yard).

Spring will be a good time to add some of these plants to your backyard for extra colors, textures, and shapes – and they will be particularly lovely just in time for next fall. 

But if you do want to add some color right now, many of these can be placed in lovely pots on your patio or along paths, or in groupings anywhere. If you go to a nursery check with a plant specialist to make sure that it’s okay to plant or pot your choices right now.

There are many plants that can grow well in Florida shade, including:

• Alocasia
• Beautyberry
• Bromeliads
• Caladiums
• Coleus
• Crepe Jasmine
• Creeping Pilea
• Florida Thatch Palm
• Oakleaf hydrangea
• Persian Shield
• Sword Fern
• Wax Begonias

All of these plants flourish in lots of water and damp shaded areas. Each one has different growing conditions but they all can be grown in shaded areas.

There are so many things to know about each of these plants to make sure they grow in a healthy environment. A little study will go a long way in creating a lovely outdoor environment, on your patio or in your garden…or both!

What Plants Grow Well In Shade In Florida

These plants grow well in Florida’s shady areas. There are many different types of plants, whether you are looking for flowering shrubs or leafy plants. You can change and add plants over time to make your environment just the way you like it.

Alocasia Plant

The alocasia plant is a tropical leafy plant that goes by the name of elephant ears since that’s exactly what the leaves look like. There are several different versions of the plants, like the colocasia which is very large at 5-6 feet tall and up to 8 feet wide, or the odora which is only 3-4 feet tall and wide (kind of a pint-sized elephant ears plant).

It can either be planted in direct shade or in partial sunlight as it grows well in either. If it is planted with more sunlight, it will need more water than if planted in more shade. It requires moderate watering since it likes moist soil. The alocasia plant is a perennial but it might die back in the winter if you get freezing temps.

Beautyberry Plant

This tall purple berried plant is native to South Florida and attracts plenty of birds to your backyard. It can be grown in full sun or full shade, allowing it to be a very versatile addition to your garden.  It can be planted any time of the year and will be drought-tolerant once established.

The purple berries bloom in the fall and add a different color to your greenery. It does well in zones 7-11 and grows from 3-8 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide.

Bromeliads

There are many different types of bromeliads. They all can be grown in a partial shade and can add two tones to your garden. Depending on what color you are looking for, they may have different sun requirements, but they primarily need partial shade. You will need to water them frequently as they like moist soil.

Caladium

Caladiums are easy to grow in Florida’s warm, humid climate and will provide beautiful color throughout spring, summer, and fall. The best part about caladiums is that they grow very well in the shade.

They have so many vibrant colors that look wonderful in your shaded backyard. They are fast growing and grow up to 1-3 feet tall. Caladiums grow beautifully in containers and in landscapes that have well-drained soil. Fill your patio pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets with the low-maintenance, all-season color that caladiums provide.

Coleus

Coleus is one of the most colorful shade plants to have in Florida. They are easy to grow and propagate, hard to kill, and come in a rainbow of colors. They grow from 6 inches to 2.5 feet and 1 to 3 feet wide. Known for their variegated leaves that feature vibrant patterns and hues, coleus is often used to add a splash of color to shaded areas on patios and in gardens and landscapes.

The diversity of coleus varieties allows gardeners to experiment and find the perfect match for their landscape design. These plants prefer well-draining soil and should be protected from the intense afternoon sun, as their leaves can scorch. Despite their tropical appearance, coleus are also surprisingly drought-tolerant once established, making them a versatile choice for Central Florida gardens. Regular pinching back of the tips promotes bushier growth and prevents them from becoming leggy.

Crepe Jasmine Plant

Jasmine can be a great plant to grow in the shade. It does not require full sunlight to thrive and can create a hedge-like structure very quickly. Its shiny leaves and easy watering schedule allow the plant to thrive year after year. The shrub version is not as fragrant as the vine version.

Creeping Pilea

Just as the name says, this is a ground cover that stays low to the ground and spreads out a lot. If you can’t grow grass in your shady area, the creeping pilea may be just what you’re looking for. If you have a shady area on your deck or patio, the creeping pilea also looks great in a pot.

The small leaves cascade vines over the side of the pot and are easy to prune. By placing these plants in pots, you can move them where you want and allow them to flourish independently or restrict them depending on your preference.

Florida Thatch Palm

The Florida Thatch Palm is a smaller version of a palm tree. The palm tree can be an excellent tropical addition to your backyard. They can grow to 15 feet and be planted in most areas of Florida. In addition, they are drought resistant, meaning they do not need lots of water to grow, and it is slow growing at only 6 inches a year.

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oak-Leaf Hydrangea is native to Florida and has lovely cone-shaped flowers that bloom in the summer. They thrive under a canopy of oak trees which is where they get their name. The shrub grows from 6-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide.

Persian Shield

Persian Shield’s vibrant foliage is different than anything else you will see in Florida. The iridescent purple leaves will look amazing in a shaded area of your backyard. Each leaf can reach 4 to 7 inches long and 3 inches wide. The plant grows 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet across.

Wax Begonias

Begonias are flowering plants in bright pink and yellow colors. They grow well in a situation with an area under a canopy of trees that receive evenly distributed light. If you place your begonias in a completely sunny spot, there is a good chance the flowers will burn up and die. They do need constantly moist soil, so regular watering is a must!

Wrap-Up on Florida Shade Plants

Any or all of these plants will look great in a shaded spot in your Florida backyard or patio. Each plant will add color and depth to your shady areas looking fresh, new, and vibrant for all seasons. 

Now that you know what plants may work in your shaded areas, if you’re excited about possibilities, contact me and I can help you pull it all together for a delightful enhancement to your outdoor spaces. Choose a contact method right below this blog post, and we can set up a consultation. 

You can also email me at: carmen@sohointeriordesign.com and you can also message me via my website contact page. Let’s add some fresh beautiful colors, textures, and shapes to upgrade your outdoor spaces!