15 Creative Shade Planter Ideas for Your Garden

Table of Contents

Shade Planter Ideas: The Basics

When it comes to gardening in the shade, planters can be an excellent way to add color and interest to your space. However, choosing the right plants and containers can be tricky. Here are some basics to keep in mind:

Choosing the Right Plants

Not all plants thrive in the shade, so it's important to choose ones that will do well in your particular environment. Some great options include:

• Hostas
• Bleeding hearts
• Ferns
• Astilbes
• Coleus
• Impatiens

Picking the Perfect Container

When selecting a container for your shade planter, consider things like size, material, and drainage. Some popular choices are:

• Terra cotta pots
• Wooden planters
• Metal containers
• Hanging baskets

15 Shade Planter Ideas to Try Today

Now that you know the basics, let's dive into some creative shade planter ideas that you can try at home.

1. Vertical Wall Planter

If you have limited space, try creating a vertical wall planter using a wire mesh panel and a few hanging baskets. This can add depth and interest to any shady corner of your garden.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a wire mesh panel that is the size you want for your planter.
2. Attach the panel to a wall or fence using screws or nails.
3. Hang baskets on the panel, filling each with soil and your chosen plants.

2. Moss Ball Planter

Moss balls are a popular trend in gardening right now, and they make great shade planters too. Simply hollow out a moss ball and fill it with soil and your favorite shade-loving plants.

How to Make It:

1. Purchase a pre-made moss ball or create your own by wrapping sphagnum moss around a ball of soil.
2. Use a small knife or scissors to cut a hole in the center of the ball.
3. Fill the hole with soil and your chosen plants.

3. Succulent Planter

While succulents are typically associated with sunny environments, there are several varieties that can thrive in the shade. Try planting a few different types in a shallow container for a unique look.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a shallow container with good drainage.
2. Fill the container with a mixture of potting soil and sand or perlite.
3. Plant your succulents, making sure to space them evenly.

4. Hanging Basket Planter

Hanging baskets are a classic choice for shade planters, and for good reason. They're easy to maintain and can add a pop of color to any outdoor space.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a hanging basket with good drainage.
2. Line the basket with a layer of sphagnum moss or coconut fiber.
3. Fill the basket with soil and your chosen plants.

5. Tiered Planter

A tiered planter can be a great way to add visual interest to your garden while still maximizing space. Try using different sized containers for added dimension.

How to Make It:

1. Choose three or more containers in varying sizes.
2. Stack the containers on top of each other, making sure to secure them in place.
3. Fill each container with soil and your chosen plants.

6. Fairy Garden Planter

Fairy gardens are a popular trend in gardening right now, and they can be adapted to work in shade planters too. Add some whimsy to your garden with a miniature fairy house or a tiny pond.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a container that's the right size for your fairy garden.
2. Create a miniature landscape using soil, rocks, and moss.
3. Add miniature accessories like a fairy house, bridge, or pond.

7. Herb Planter

Many herbs can thrive in the shade, so why not create an herb planter for your kitchen? Not only will it look great, but you'll have fresh herbs on hand whenever you need them.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a container with good drainage.
2. Fill the container with a mixture of potting soil and compost.
3. Plant your chosen herbs, spacing them evenly.

8. Terrarium Planter

Terrariums are a unique way to display your plants, and they can work well in shady areas too. Create a mini ecosystem with a few small ferns or mosses.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a glass container with a lid.
2. Fill the container with a layer of gravel or pebbles for drainage.
3. Add a layer of activated charcoal to prevent mold and mildew.
4. Fill the rest of the container with soil and your chosen plants.

9. Water Garden Planter

If you have a shady spot near a water source, try creating a water garden planter. Add some aquatic plants and watch as your garden comes to life.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a container that's large enough to hold water.
2. Add a layer of gravel or rocks to the bottom for drainage.
3. Fill the container with water and add your chosen aquatic plants.

10. Hanging Terrarium Planter

Hanging terrariums are a unique way to display your plants, and they can work well in shady areas too. Create a mini ecosystem with a few small ferns or mosses.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a glass container with a hook or loop for hanging.
2. Fill the container with a layer of gravel or pebbles for drainage.
3. Add a layer of activated charcoal to prevent mold and mildew.
4. Fill the rest of the container with soil and your chosen plants.

11. Birdhouse Planter

Combine two garden favorites with a birdhouse planter. Simply attach a birdhouse to a container filled with your favorite shade-loving plants.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a container with good drainage.
2. Fill the container with soil and your chosen plants.
3. Attach a birdhouse to the top of the container.

12. Hanging Lantern Planter

Add a touch of elegance to your garden with a hanging lantern planter. This can be a great way to incorporate some ambient lighting into your outdoor space.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a lantern with a hook or loop for hanging.
2. Fill the lantern with soil and your chosen plants.
3. Hang the lantern in a shady spot.

13. Window Box Planter

If you have a window that doesn't get much sun, try creating a window box planter. This can add some color and interest to your home's exterior while still thriving in the shade.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a window box with good drainage.
2. Fill the box with soil and your chosen plants.
3. Mount the box under your window using brackets or screws.

14. Repurposed Planter

Don't be afraid to get creative with your planters - sometimes the most interesting ones are the ones you make yourself. Try repurposing an old wheelbarrow or bathtub for a unique look.

How to Make It:

1. Find an object that can hold soil and has drainage holes.
2. Fill the object with soil and your chosen plants.

15. Hanging Pot Planter

Another classic choice for shade planters is the hanging pot. These can be hung from trees or hooks, adding color and interest to any outdoor space.

How to Make It:

1. Choose a hanging pot with good drainage.
2. Line the pot with a layer of sphagnum moss or coconut fiber.
3. Fill the pot with soil and your chosen plants.

FAQs

Q: Can I use any container for a shade planter?

A: Not all containers are created equal when it comes to gardening. Make sure your planter has good drainage and is the right size for your plants.

Q: What are some good shade-loving plants to use in my planter?

A: Some great choices include hostas, bleeding hearts, ferns, astilbes, coleus, and impatiens.

Q: How often should I water my shade planter?

A: This will depend on the specific plants you've chosen and the environment they're in. As a general rule, check your soil regularly and water when it feels dry to the touch.

Q: Can I mix different types of plants in my shade planter?

A: Yes! Mixing different types of plants can add interest and variety to your garden.

Q: Do I need to fertilize my shade planter?

A: Fertilizing can be helpful for promoting healthy growth in your plants. Make sure to choose a fertilizer that's appropriate for the types of plants you've chosen.

Image shade planter ideas

Part shade to shade planter Container plants Container gardening

17 Best images about Hanging Baskets Shade Planters on Pinterest

Part shade container combines both blooms and leaves for color texture

Sept 17Post Planter DIY Diy planters Planters Patio shade

Have a peek here for Porch Landscaping Ideas in 2020 Small front yard

Alluring 90 Shade Garden Ideas Zone 6 Decorating Inspiration Of Best

Shade loving planter Garden containers Shade loving flowers

container gardening ideas pavers ContainergardeningIdeas Window box

window box for shade Window box plants Window box flowers Shade plants

27 Colorful Shade Garden Pots and Plant Lists Fall container gardens