10 Great Shade-Loving Plants for Subtropical Gardens
Make the shady corners in your garden look a little more loved with the addition of one of these beauties
Many of the best shade-tolerant plants have beautiful, deep-green foliage and some even surprise us with a bit of colour. It’s difficult to choose favourites when there are so many lovely shade-loving plants so perfect for subtropical gardens – inspiration is all around us. Ferns and epiphytic plants thrive in the understorey of moist palm forests, bromeliads add colourful displays under trees in old Queensland gardens, and large-leaved plants clamber through foliage, adding lushness. Here are 10 gorgeous plants that will thrive in the shady corners of your subtropical garden.
Tip: Clivias provide maximum impact when planted en masse.
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2. Australian native violet
Australian native violets (Viola hederacea) make for beautiful ground cover between pavers in moist shady areas and can even be used as a lawn alternative because it will withstand light foot traffic.
Tip: Make sure to plant in true shade in the subtropics. Too many of these little beauties have been lost by my negligence through not enough water and not enough shade.
Australian native violets (Viola hederacea) make for beautiful ground cover between pavers in moist shady areas and can even be used as a lawn alternative because it will withstand light foot traffic.
Tip: Make sure to plant in true shade in the subtropics. Too many of these little beauties have been lost by my negligence through not enough water and not enough shade.
3. Rhapis palm/lady palm
Rhapis palm (Rhapis excelsa)
is a tough and drought-hardy palm that prefers a shaded to semi-shaded position. It is well-behaved and attractive, which makes it a highly desirable addition to a subtropical garden. It has been known to even win over the hearts of the staunchest of palm haters.
Tip: Because of their slow-growing nature, these small palms are perfect for planters and pots.
Rhapis palm (Rhapis excelsa)
is a tough and drought-hardy palm that prefers a shaded to semi-shaded position. It is well-behaved and attractive, which makes it a highly desirable addition to a subtropical garden. It has been known to even win over the hearts of the staunchest of palm haters.
Tip: Because of their slow-growing nature, these small palms are perfect for planters and pots.
4. Bird’s nest ferns
Bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) are a native to South-East Queensland and Northern NSW and look right at home in a subtropical garden. Their sturdy, rippled fronds make a statement when planted in a pot as a focal point, and I even have one in a vertical garden at the entry of my home.
Tip: The bird’s nest fern is an epiphytic and can be attached to branches or hung in the same way as bromeliads or staghorn/elkhorn ferns in the garden.
Bird’s nest ferns (Asplenium nidus) are a native to South-East Queensland and Northern NSW and look right at home in a subtropical garden. Their sturdy, rippled fronds make a statement when planted in a pot as a focal point, and I even have one in a vertical garden at the entry of my home.
Tip: The bird’s nest fern is an epiphytic and can be attached to branches or hung in the same way as bromeliads or staghorn/elkhorn ferns in the garden.
5. Bromeliads
There are many beautiful types of bromeliads, several thousand in fact! Their attractive foliage and showy flowers last a long time, making them a good choice for pots and vertical gardens.
Most bromeliads enjoy humidity and some shelter from the sun. They are adaptable plants that are easily shifted around the garden because they require little soil. Although I have not yet succumbed, I have been told by others that collecting bromeliads can be addictive.
Tip: Propagating bromeliads can be done easily by carefully removing pups from around the base of the parent plant, ensuring that the roots of the pup are left intact.
There are many beautiful types of bromeliads, several thousand in fact! Their attractive foliage and showy flowers last a long time, making them a good choice for pots and vertical gardens.
Most bromeliads enjoy humidity and some shelter from the sun. They are adaptable plants that are easily shifted around the garden because they require little soil. Although I have not yet succumbed, I have been told by others that collecting bromeliads can be addictive.
Tip: Propagating bromeliads can be done easily by carefully removing pups from around the base of the parent plant, ensuring that the roots of the pup are left intact.
6. Elephant ears
Elephant ears (Alocacia macrorrhizos) are specacular ornamental plants with huge leaves. They are a splendid plant that will thrive in a warm, humid spot in the garden.
Tip: To keep elephant ears looking their best, ensure you plant them in a protected area. Wind can easily tear the lovely leaves and ruin their appearance.
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Elephant ears (Alocacia macrorrhizos) are specacular ornamental plants with huge leaves. They are a splendid plant that will thrive in a warm, humid spot in the garden.
Tip: To keep elephant ears looking their best, ensure you plant them in a protected area. Wind can easily tear the lovely leaves and ruin their appearance.
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7. Cast-iron plant
Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior), pictured right, is an old-fashioned plant that was popular in the Victorian Era as a houseplant. Its common name is an apt description because it can survive horrible neglect, but will thrive with moisture, compost and protection from the afternoon sun.
Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior), pictured right, is an old-fashioned plant that was popular in the Victorian Era as a houseplant. Its common name is an apt description because it can survive horrible neglect, but will thrive with moisture, compost and protection from the afternoon sun.
Ironically, it can be difficult to source because it is slow growing and under-appreciated. Think twice before you edit from Grandma’s garden; it can be a quiet achiever when given the right love.
Tip: Aspidistra makes an impact in the garden when planted in swathes in a shaded area but can be just as happy as a potted plant.
Tip: Aspidistra makes an impact in the garden when planted in swathes in a shaded area but can be just as happy as a potted plant.
8. Never never plants
Never never plants (Ctenanthe setosa ‘Grey Star’) are shade-loving herbaceous plants that are related to Calathea, Maranta and Stromanthe. They add a touch of colour and light to a shady spot in the garden all year and require little care to keep them looking good.
Tip: These plants are known to require a lot of moisture but experience has proven them to be very tolerant of dry shade.
Never never plants (Ctenanthe setosa ‘Grey Star’) are shade-loving herbaceous plants that are related to Calathea, Maranta and Stromanthe. They add a touch of colour and light to a shady spot in the garden all year and require little care to keep them looking good.
Tip: These plants are known to require a lot of moisture but experience has proven them to be very tolerant of dry shade.
9. Philodendron congo
Its large, lush, sturdy leaves are right at home in a shady corner of a subtropical garden. These plants are also available with a burgundy accent colour and are known as Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’. Philodendrons are beautiful when grouped as underplantings in the shade of a tree.
Tip: The leaves are a wonderful addition to a cut arrangement. They are long-lived and retain their lush, shiny appearance for weeks in a vase.
Its large, lush, sturdy leaves are right at home in a shady corner of a subtropical garden. These plants are also available with a burgundy accent colour and are known as Philodendron ‘Rojo Congo’. Philodendrons are beautiful when grouped as underplantings in the shade of a tree.
Tip: The leaves are a wonderful addition to a cut arrangement. They are long-lived and retain their lush, shiny appearance for weeks in a vase.
10. Bat flower plant
If you appreciate unusual flora then the bat flower plant (Tacca sp.) will not disappoint. Its extraordinary flowers resemble a bat, hence its common name. The large flowers can grow up to 700mm. There are different varieties but the most common available to subtropical gardeners are the black Tacca chantrieri and white Tacca integrifola.
Tip: The most important factor for success with the bat flower plant is the soil components. It needs to be grown in a light, slightly acidic soil that drains freely.
If you appreciate unusual flora then the bat flower plant (Tacca sp.) will not disappoint. Its extraordinary flowers resemble a bat, hence its common name. The large flowers can grow up to 700mm. There are different varieties but the most common available to subtropical gardeners are the black Tacca chantrieri and white Tacca integrifola.
Tip: The most important factor for success with the bat flower plant is the soil components. It needs to be grown in a light, slightly acidic soil that drains freely.
Your turn
Which of these 10 beauties would you love to rush out and plant in your garden? Tell us your favourites in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Want more expert advice on gardening in this neck of the woods? Read 10 Tips for Creating a Formal Garden in the Subtropics
Which of these 10 beauties would you love to rush out and plant in your garden? Tell us your favourites in the Comments, like this story, save the images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Want more expert advice on gardening in this neck of the woods? Read 10 Tips for Creating a Formal Garden in the Subtropics
The Kaffir lily (Clivia miniata)
adds a brilliant pop of colour to shady spots in the garden. They are available in red, yellow and cream but are most commonly seen with orange flowers. Even when they are not in flower, their strong, dark-green, strappy leaves contribute structure to the understorey of the garden. They require little maintenance and are drought tolerant once established.