Shade Plants for Containers: New Guinea Impatiens

Ideas and suggestions for shade plants for containers. Includes annuals such as new guinea impatiens, begonias, ferns and more.

It’s porch season. The leaves are coming out on the trees, the days are getting longer, and our front porch is decked out with comfortable decor along with flowering plants. Finally! Flowers on covered porches can be tricky because there may or may not be sunny spots. Choosing shade plants for containers is easy if you keep in mind how much sun your porch actually gets. Everything I have learned about gardening has been a result of trying all sorts of plants and hoping for the best. More plants have died than have lived! One of the biggest lessons has been learning where to place plants so they get the correct amount of sun. After years and years of trying, I think I finally have is figured out!

Here are my recommendations for shade plants for containers, which are perfect for a porch area. I’ve broken them down into two categories.

Shade Plants for Containers: Annuals that thrive in partial shade

impatiens (single & double)
begonia
coleus
lobelia (pictured below in the square planters)
sweet alyssum
salvia

Shade Plants for Containers: Annuals that thrive in full shade

impatiens (single & double)
begonia
coleus
fern
ivy
new guinea impatiens

You’ll notice that there are a few annuals that appear on both lists…so if you aren’t totally sure how much sun your space gets, choose one of those.

New Guinea Impatiens

Pictured below are some beautiful new guinea impatiens I got at my local Lowe’s. If you want showy blooms on your porch or a shaded area, this plant is for you. Believe it or not, these plants really did originate on the island of New Guinea. They have a tropical look and the continuous blooms are wonderful. In Hawaii and the most southern tip of Florida, new guinea impatiens are considered perennials. They like to be watered at the roots and will be even lovelier if you pinch off the spent blooms. My goal is to keep these beauties blooming all summer, so time will tell if I’m up to the challenge!