21 Tropical Plants That Grow Well in the Shade

Think about a tropical jungle. Picture Tarzan swinging through a dense understory of vines and lush palm trees. With this image in mind, it should be no surprise many tropical plants thrive in the shade! 

Big, tropical leaves, richly-colored flowers, and lush hues of green are all hallmarks of the tropical shade garden. When planning your shade garden, think back to art class. In the deep shade, bright, chartreuse leaves and white flowers pop, while darker hues add dimension and texture. 

In the shade garden, contrast is everything! Contrast goes beyond just colors – it can mean various shapes, textures, and even scents. Tropical plants are perfect for creating contrast – through evolution, many have developed unique features to survive harsh competition. If you’re lucky enough to live in a tropical climate, you can enjoy these 21 shade-loving plants outdoors all year round. If not, many of these would also be great as houseplants, too!  

Giant Taro

	botanical name Alocasia macrorrhizos
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 12-15 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 9-11

To describe giant taro in a single word would be massive. Enormous elephant-ear-like leaves grow up to six feet long and four feet wide. The entire plant can grow up to 15 feet tall with a spread of over ten feet in optimal conditions. Throughout the year, and if especially happy, this plant produces a jack-in-the-pulpit style flower, which some gardeners say smells like menthol. Alocasia macrorrhizos can also be kept as a houseplant in a very sunny place! 

This plant prefers partial shade with filtered light; harsh afternoon sunlight scorches leaves. Their soil should be nutrient-rich and consistently moist – this plant is even tolerant of occasional flooding. They spread via rhizome, which you can dig up and overwinter indoors. These rhizomes are nutrient-rich and very tasty! Taro is found in dishes around the world, from Hawai’i to Cuba to Puerto Rico to West Africa.  

Lady Palm 

	botanical name Rhapis excelsa
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 6-15 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 9-11

A member of the fan palm family, this plant is also known as the rhapsis palm. This palm is also great for indoor plantings, known for its resilience in low-light conditions. Spreading via rhizome, the lady palm spreads to form dense thickets. These thickets are perfect for forming a privacy screen, hedge, foundation planting, or adding height to a tropical shade garden. 

Outdoors, the lady palm can grow up to 15 feet tall but typically tops out at about six feet in containers. This plant withstands partial shade with morning light, but it prefers deep shade, as direct sunlight singes the leaves. They benefit from regular fertilization (especially in containers) and are resistant to most diseases. Aphids, mites, mealybugs, and scales may pose a challenge but can be treated. Overall, this is a pretty low-maintenance plant and is tolerant of winter lows down to about 55°F.

Cast Iron Plant  

	botanical name Aspidistra elatior
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 7-11

This plant may look simple, but it’s become one of my favorites for the shade garden over the years. Their big, long leaves add texture to the garden and have many uses in floral design. The cast iron plant has a variety of other monikers, including bar room plant and beer plant, stemming from their almost shockingly resilient nature. Unlike other “resilient” plants, however, they’re not invasive. They slowly spread via rhizome to form shrub-like patches that are easily divided. 

Aspidistra elatior is a great houseplant or for the deepest shade in the garden, as it’s completely intolerant of direct sunlight. Their history harkens back to the Victorian era and is perhaps what popularized houseplants. As you might guess, it’s very low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Generally, though, well-draining, moist, and rich soil helps this plant thrive. They come in many different varieties, like the specked ‘Milky Way,’ striped ‘Variegata,’ or the speckled-and-striped ‘Stars and Stripes.’  

Peace Lily 

	botanical name Spathiphyllum wallisii
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 1-6 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 11-12

The peace lily is well-known as a houseplant but if you live in a tropical region, these beautiful plants can stay outdoors year-round. You can overwinter these indoors in pots or planted outdoors in tropical locales. Their broad leaves look similar to those of the cast iron plant, but what sets these plants apart is their white inflorescences. These are commonly called flowers, but they’re actually white spathes. 

Spathiphyllum wallisii can be used in the same ways as the cast iron plant, allowing their broad leaves to add texture to the garden. Their spathes are especially impactful in the shade garden, almost glowing in heavy shade. Iin the ground outdoors, they grow up to six feet tall but much shorter in containers. They are heavy drinkers and need moist, rich, and well-draining soil to thrive.  

Asiatic Jasmine 

	botanical name Trachelospermum asiaticum
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 7-11

An easy-going climber or crawler, Asiatic jasmine is perfect for the low-maintenance shade garden. Despite its name, this plant isn’t related to jasmine (Jasminum spp.) at all. A single plant can grow up to three feet wide and can climb up fences, walls, or trellises or substitute for grass under deep shade. Much like Aspidistra elatior, this plant thrives on neglect and would be ideal for a low-maintenance shade garden. 

Trachelospermum asiaticum has creamy white star-shaped flowers with a sweet smell, attracting pollinators. They’re adaptable to many shade conditions but prefer moist, rich, well-draining soil. The straight species has glossy green leaves, but Asiatic jasmine comes in many cultivars. Some Asiatic jasmine varieties include variegated ‘Variegatum’ and my personal favorite, the blushing red and white ‘Snow N Summer.’

Foxtail Fern 

	botanical name Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myersii’
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 9-11

Add textural interest to the shade garden with the tall, fluffy stalks of the foxtail fern. Native to South Africa, the foxtail fern is an evergreen perennial in USDA zones 9-11, where winters are mild and the air is humid. This plant does best in rich soil in full to partial shade, away from direct sunlight. If you don’t live in a tropical zone – fear not! They’re a great houseplant, but would still love to spend summers outdoors under a shady tree. 

The foxtail fern is also a great element for floral arrangements, adding both greenery and height. Be sure to strip off the bottom leaves for a clean look and to extend the life of your arrangement.  

Bat Flower  

	botanical name Tacca spp.
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 9-11

If you’re able to source one of these rare plants, the bat flower makes a unique addition to the shade garden. The genus Tacca includes over 20 species, the most common being the black bat flower Tacca chantrieri, and the white variety Tacca integrifolia. Their namesake comes from their wing-shaped bracts resembling bats. From their bracts hang the actual flowers, which are pretty small. These flowers feature long whisker-like filaments that hang down the length of the plant. 

It does best in a brightly shaded area with protection from the direct rays of the sun. They need a delicate balance of regular moisture and humidity with well-draining soil. That said, you can keep the bat flower as a houseplant with the proper growing conditions. Even when not in bloom, the foliage of the bat flower lends a tropical look with big, bold, and shiny leaves.

Brazilian Plume Flower  

	botanical name Justicia carnea
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 3-6 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 8B-11

Jacobina is a beautiful shrub blooming all summer long. This plant has dozens of tubular flowers resembling fireworks on large flowerheads, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Pink flowers are most common but other varieties include red, yellow, orange, apricot, and white. 

They’re resilient to most pests and can be used in containers, as a shrub, or as a hedge. This plant is evergreen in tropical areas where temperatures never drop below freezing. To thrive, Justicia carnea needs to be a shady area with moist, rich, well-draining soil. They bloom all summer, so you’ll always have a pink splash in your shade garden.

Fuchsia ‘Swingtime’

	botanical name Fuchsia x hybrid ‘Swingtime’
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 4-12 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 9-11

Fuchsias are one of my absolute favorite shade plants. They’re a massive genus of plants with over 3,000 cultivars. ‘Swingtime’ is a very popular trailing fuchsia with bright red sepals and double-flowered white petals. These flowers gracefully hang down from branches and are great in window boxes, hanging baskets, or as a spiller in container plantings. 

‘Swingtime’ isn’t the only trailing cultivar available, ‘Dark Eyes’ has magenta sepals and dark purple petals, and ‘Marinka’ is fully pink. Fuchsias like lots of humidity and moisture but hate wet feet, so plant them in well-draining soil. They’re heavy feeders during their active flowering season and benefit from bimonthly doses of potash-rich fertilizer.  

Impatiens

	botanical name Impatiens walleriana
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-24 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 10-11

These plants are the quintessential shade annual. They are sold at just about every plant nursery come spring and are available in just about every color you can imagine. They’re fast-growing and will quickly fill in the bed or container they’re in. That said, the closer together they’re planted, the taller they’ll grow. They should be planted eight to twelve inches apart to maintain a low habit. 

If your yard has a bit more sun, try planting New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri). These impatiens are more resilient to longer periods of full sun but still need some shade. Both species prefer slightly acidic, moist, and well-draining soil. Unlike most summer annuals, which require full sun, Impatiens walleriana are a perfect match for gardeners with shady yards.

Tuberous Begonia

	botanical name Begonia (Tuberosa Group)
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-1.5 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 8-11

The begonia family is a huge genus of plants, including over 1,300 annuals and perennials. The tuberous begonia is one of the most shade-loving annual varieties. Their name comes from their tubers that store water and nutrients. The flowers of this begonia are particularly beautiful and look similar to roses or carnations, with large, fluffy, and frilly petals. 

These plants are so gorgeous you likely won’t want to say goodbye to them for winter. The good news is – they’re easy to overwinter! Dig up their tubers before the first frost and store them in sand, soil, or perlite until spring. When in the ground or in pots, it’s important to provide them with well-draining soil rich in organic matter. 

Firecracker Flower 

	botanical name Crossandra infundibuliformis
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 10-11

The firecracker flower is named for its exploding seedpods during periods of high humidity or rainfall. It’s known simply as crossandra and is available in many orange-flowered cultivars, ranging from golden to apricot hues. These beautiful plants do best in dappled sunlight under a tree. Deep shade causes their leaves to drop. 

Crossandra infundibuliformis is an easy houseplant in an area that receives bright, indirect sunlight. To promote the most blooms, provide this plant with plenty of humidity and pinch them back regularly. They need well-draining and moist soil rich in organic matter like coco coir or compost. 

Australian Tree Fern   

	botanical name Sphaeropteris cooperi
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 15-30 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 8-11

Native to the rainforests of Queensland, Australia, the Australian tree fern brings a little Aussie spirit to your shade garden. These plants can be kept as houseplants or planted in the tropical garden, where they’ll receive dappled sunlight. In the wild, Australian tree ferns may grow to be up to 30 feet tall but grow smaller as houseplants.  

The Australian tree fern is more tolerant of high temperatures than its counterpart, the Tasmanian tree fern, Dicksonia antarctica. This fern needs high humidity and rich, well-draining soil to thrive. While technically hardy to zone 8, we recommend planting it as a perennial only in zone 9b and above due to its cold tenderness.  

Kaffir Lily 

	botanical name Clivia miniata
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 9-11

The kaffir lily is native to the subtropical forests of South Africa. This colorful plant is a herbaceous perennial in tropical regions, and houseplant in others. Sometimes known as clivia, this plant is available with flowers in fiery hues of oranges, reds and even green. Their clusters of amaryllis-like flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Their long strappy leaves make a statement in their own right! 

The kaffir lily needs full to partial shade with dappled sunlight to thrive. While they only grow up to two feet tall, they grow up to three feet wide. They’re tolerant of occasional wet soils and of drought, too. This is also a great plant for the home florist – clivia flowers are a great cut flower. 

Note: Clivia miniata is toxic to both cats and dogs. 

Wishbone Flower   

	botanical name Torenia fournieri
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-18 inches
	hardiness zones USDA 10-11

Also known as clown flower, bluewings, or simply torenia, this plant is a common annual. As with most other annuals, the wishbone flower is a perennial in tropical zones. The clown flower got its name from its pink and white varieties with markings that resemble a clown’s face. Many varieties are in the purple family, but torenias come in just about every imaginable color – bright pink, yellow, and even white. 

The ideal location for this plant is a place with morning sun and afternoon shade. They need well-draining, moist, and humus-rich soil to thrive. They’re tolerant of occasional dryness but not wet feet. Contrary to most plants, deeper shade promotes more blooms. Regular doses of fertilizer every two to four weeks promotes even more blooms. 

Gardenia  

	botanical name Gardenia jasminoides
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-8 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 7-11

One of the greatest gifts shade provides is the opportunity to grow a gardenia shrub. The scent of gardenia flowers can only be described as heavenly – sweet, creamy, and fresh. Their glossy, deep green foliage is evergreen and very attractive. Their flowers bloom at night and are particularly intense in the evening to attract pollinators like moths. Newer cultivars like ‘Frostproof’ and ‘Kleims Hardy’ are hardy to zone 7, while older cultivars like ‘Radicans’ are only hardy to zone 8. 

Gardenias prefer areas in partial shade where they receive dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade. They need moist, well-draining, acidic soil with fertilization in spring. Formerly known as Gardenia augusta, Gardenia jasminoides is an excellent choice for plantings near patios to appreciate its fragrance. It would be great in a sensory garden to engage the sense of smell. 

If you live in a truly tropical zone, the Tahitian gardenia (Gardenia taitensis) is suited to zones 10-11. These gardenias are resistant to salt spray and heavy winds and grow up to ten feet tall! This plant prefers full to partial sun exposure, while direct sun would scorch Gardenia jasminoides. 

Never Never Plant 

	botanical name Ctenanthe amabilis
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 4-20 inches
	hardiness zones 11b

A member of the prayer plant family, the never never plant folds its leaves together at nighttime. There are several plants in the Ctenanthe genus, which are also referred to as never never plants. These plants include Giant Bamburanta (Ctenanthe oppenheimiana) and Ctenanthe setosa. Ctenanthe amabilis is a slow-growing tropical plant known for its contrasting deep green margins and veins on leaves. 

Two types, Ctenanthe amabilis and Ctenanthe setosa, both grow to be under two feet tall. Ctenanthe oppenheimiana grows slightly bigger, topping out at about three feet. The reason behind the name “never never plant” is unclear, so drop me a line if you know the background!  

Calathea 

	botanical name Calathea picturata
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 1-2 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 11-12

Another member of the prayer plant family is calathea. This plant is what’s most often referred to as the common name “prayer plant,” closing its leaves at nighttime. Unlike Ctenanthe amabilis with richly defined veins and margins, the variegation of Calathea picturata is significantly different, with contrasting colors on both sides of their leaves. Calathea plants rarely bloom as houseplants but tend to bloom more often outdoors in climates closest to that of their native Brazil. 

Prayer plants are best in areas without direct sunlight but with bright, indirect light instead. Deep shade isn’t ideal for Calathea picturata. They need moist, well-draining soil that never gets sopping wet and constant humidity. African violet potting mix is actually perfect for these plants if grown in containers. 

Fragrant Sarcococca

	botanical name Sarcococca confusa
	sun requirements Full to partial shade
	height 3-5 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 6a-9b

Speaking of contrast, the fragrant sarcococca adds dimension with deep green shiny foliage and sweetly scented white flowers. Their creamy white flowers are a favorite for pollinators attracted to their vanilla scent. It’s evergreen, with blooms appearing in early spring. Sarcococca confusa is perfect along foundations, in groups, or in the back of a shade garden. 

They prefer acidic and well-draining but moist soil and areas in full to partial shade. While not a true tropical, this shrub is hardy to zone 9b, which includes most of Florida and Southern California. Sarcococca confusa is also a winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. 

Staghorn Fern 

	botanical name Platycerium bifurcatum
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 9-13

Platycerium bifurcatum is the most common cultivated species in a genus, with about 18 other species. Named the staghorn or elkhorn fern, the fronds of these tropical plants resemble a mounted pair of antlers. These ferns are epiphytic and grow on tree trunks in southeastern Australia and New Guinea. They grow to be quite wide, up to three feet at maturity! 

Like most epiphytic ferns (and epiphytes and ferns, in general), these plants need high humidity. They’re common as houseplants, but in tropical regions, they can be left outside in partial shade year-round. Overall, the staghorn fern is a very easy-to-care-for plant with enough humidity and proper mounting. 

Brazilian Vase Plant   

	botanical name Aechmea distichantha
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 2-3 feet
	hardiness zones USDA 10b-11

Along with Neoregelia, the Brazilian vase plant is a shade-loving bromeliad. These plants grow up to four feet wide and have strappy, succulent-like leaves. But the real star of the show is their brilliant pink springtime flower stalks, which are composed of colorful bracts and last several months. Their bold and stiff foliage pairs well with plants with delicate textures, like ferns. 

Like many bromeliads, these plants store water in cupped rosettes between their leaves instead of absorbing it through their roots. Because of this, these bromeliads can be grown epiphytically, with support from wires and bits of moss around their roots. They can be grown on tree trunks. These plants dislike wet feet and need a very rich and well-draining soil mixture like orchid bark or compost. An area in partial shade or dappled sunlight, like under a tree, would be ideal for Aechmea distichantha.