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flowering potted plants for shade

Looking to add colour and life to shady spots around your home or garden? Flowering potted plants for shade are the perfect solution for those tricky, low-light areas where other blooms simply won’t thrive. Whether your patio, balcony, or shaded corner of the garden needs a vibrant lift, there are plenty of reliable and beautiful flowering options that will flourish in containers. On this page, we’ll explore the best flowering potted plants for shade, offer expert tips on selecting the right varieties, and show you how to create thriving shade-loving displays in New Zealand conditions.

Clivia miniata 'Red' plants with elegant, red flowers.

Clivia miniata 'Red'

Clivia miniata 'Red' is a striking evergreen perennial prized for its bold red trumpet shaped flowers that appear in late winter and spring. The lush, arching green leaves form an elegant clump, making this a standout choice for shaded New Zealand gardens.

From $20.01

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Extended dry periods, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
francoa-flower-girl-

Francoa 'Flower Girl'

Francoa 'Flower Girl' is a graceful perennial that produces elegant spikes of delicate flowers from late spring through summer. Its attractive clumps of lush green foliage provide year round interest, while the blooms add height, movement, and charm to borders and cottage gardens.

From $17.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum'

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (Spider Plant) is a popular evergreen perennial valued for its arching green and white striped foliage and easy...

From$39.95
Juncus effusus plants growing in water.
Juncus effusus (Soft Rush Plant)

Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...

From$16.49
A Dracaena 'Massangeana' (Happy plant) with colourful foliage growing in a pot.
Dracaena massangeana

Dracaena 'Massangeana', commonly known as the Happy Plant, is a stunning indoor plant grown for its lovely form and variegated foliage. The yellow...

From$82.73
An Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen and Chicken Fern) growing in a shaded postion and displaying lush, green fronds.
Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern)

Asplenium bulbiferum, commonly known as the Hen and Chicken Fern or Pikopiko Fern, is a popular NZ native prized for its lush, arching fronds and...

From$26.15
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar

Stromanthe 'Triostar' is a striking tropical foliage plant prized for its colourful leaves patterned in green, cream, and pink with rich burgundy...

From$33.05
faucaria-tigrina--2
Faucaria tigrina

Faucaria tigrina, commonly known as the Tiger Jaw succulent, is an impressive plant. It features thick leaves with tiger-like teeth around the edges...

From$50.99
A Radermachera sinica (Canton Lace) plant with lush and glossy, dark green foliage.
Radermachera sinica

Radermachera sinica, commonly known as the China Doll Plant or Canton Lace, is an evergreen shrub grown for its impressive foliage. This subtropical...

From$515.35
zamioculcas-black-knight-
Zamioculcas Black Knight (Zamioculcas Plant)

Zamioculcas Black Knight is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
rose-flower-carpet-gold--1
Rose Flower Carpet Gold

Rose 'Flower Carpet Gold' is a low growing ground cover rose that delivers a bright display of golden yellow blooms across a long flowering season...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' plants with red flowers above lush, green foliage.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Scarlet' is a low growing ground cover rose that produces a bold display of scarlet red flowers over a long season. Its spreading...

From$33.81
ozothamnus-royal-flush-
Ozothamnus Royal Flush (Australian Rice Flower)

Ozothamnus Royal Flush, commonly known as the Rice Flower, is a shrub grown for its prolific flowering and drought tolerance. Clusters of pink...

From$26.15
Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' stunning pink flowers.
Rose Flower Carpet Pink

Rose 'Flower Carpet Pink' is a low growing ground cover rose loved for its masses of clear pink flowers, spreading habit, and dependable garden...

From$34.43
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' plant with masses of red flowers growing in a pot on a patio.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Mini Cherry' is a compact ground cover rose valued for its masses of vibrant cherry red flowers and exceptional disease...

From$34.43
Ficus elastica 'Burgundy' plants in a tropical garden.
Ficus elastica 'Burgundy'

Ficus elastica 'Burgundy' is a popular indoor plant owing to its rich and colourful foliage. The large and glossy leaves are burgundy-red and held...

From$33.05
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$26.91
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' ground cover with masses of red flowers.
Rose 'Flower Carpet Red'

Rose 'Flower Carpet Red' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its rich red flowers and outstanding disease resistance. This tough rose performs...

From$34.43
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
potting-media-
Potting Media

Potting Media is a quality growing mix designed to provide plants with the support, drainage, aeration, and moisture retention needed for healthy...

From$29.75
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants

Fertiliser for acid loving plants provides targeted nutrition for plants that perform best in acidic soil conditions. It helps support healthy...

From$7.95
50-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$428.40
3-litre-plant-pots-
3.5 Litre Plant Pots

3.5 Litre Plant Pots are a versatile choice for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other established plants. They provide generous root...

From$48.96
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Plant Pots

1.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide useful...

From$27.36
half-litre-plant-pots-
0.5 Litre Plant Pots

0.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing young plants, herbs, seedlings, and smaller ornamentals. Their compact size makes them ideal...

From$23.04
plant-pots-
2.5 Litre Plant Pots

2.5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical option for growing shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and other developing plants. They provide ample root...

From$37.44
5-litre-plant-pots-
5 Litre Plant Pots

5 Litre Plant Pots are a practical choice for growing larger shrubs, perennials, grasses, herbs, and young trees. They provide generous root space to...

From$79.20
10-litre-plant-pots-
10 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$5.76
Clivia miniata 'Red'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Asplenium, Chlorophytum, and Clivia, or related Categories - Ground Fern, Grasses, and Indoor Plants.

Search flowering potted plants for shade

Why Choose Flowering Potted Plants for Shade?

Shaded spaces often get overlooked in the garden, but with the right flowering potted plants, you can transform them into captivating, colourful retreats. Pots allow for flexibility, making it easy to move plants as needed and create stunning arrangements even where soil isn’t ideal. Shade-tolerant flowering plants bring visual interest, provide habitat for pollinators, and offer a welcoming touch to entrances, patios, or courtyards that don’t receive full sun.

Top Flowering Potted Plants for Shade

Some flowering potted plants for shade are particularly well-suited to New Zealand conditions and will offer ongoing colour and vitality:

Creating Beautiful Shows in Shade

When designing your display with flowering potted plants for shade, combine plants with contrasting foliage and flower colours to maximise visual impact. Integrate leafy textures by pairing flowering options with shade-loving grasses like Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant). Adding unique succulents such as Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) for interest helps create a multi-layered look.

Use quality container mix and ensure good drainage, as even shade-lovers dislike soggy roots. Watering needs may vary with shade, so monitor regularly—pots dry out less quickly than those in direct sun. Fertilise during the growing season for ongoing blooms.

Shade Gardening Made Easy

Flowering potted plants for shade offer endless possibilities to brighten and enliven New Zealand gardens and outdoor living spaces. Explore our range of shade-loving shrubs, perennials, and grasses for spectacular results in even the shadiest corners. With the right selections and care, your shaded spaces can be bursting with life and colour all year round.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Start your garden with Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' and Lomandra Lime Tuff, and add depth with lesser-known gems like Metrosideros 'Maungapiko', Leucadendron 'Golden Tulip', and Escallonia 'Gold Brian'.
–The Plant Company

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