OUR TOP 18 PICKS: Our favourite plants for shade for Australian landscapes
Shady corners in Australian gardens are often overlooked, but they have enormous potential. With the right plant selection, these areas can be transformed into lush, inviting spaces full of texture, colour, and interest. Whether it’s a cool under-tree planting, a semi-shaded courtyard or a sheltered patio, shade-tolerant plants play a vital role in creating balanced, functional landscapes.
Our expert team at Plantmark has rounded up our Top 18 shade-loving plants — featuring shrubs and feature plants that our landscape customers keep coming back to for their projects. These selections combine visual impact, low-maintenance performance, and resilience, making them perfect for Australian conditions.
Why shade gardens matter in Australia
Shade gardens create cool, comfortable outdoor environments while reducing water loss and protecting soil structure. With Australia’s unpredictable weather and often harsh climate, shaded, resilient gardens are becoming more important than ever, moderating extreme temperatures and making outdoor spaces enjoyable year-round.
Thoughtfully planted shade gardens can soften built structures, enhance outdoor living spaces, and support biodiversity. With the right plant palette, shaded areas become rich, layered landscapes rather than forgotten corners.
Key Considerations when choosing shade plants
Light levels
Not all shade is created equal. Full shade receives little to no direct sunlight, while partial or dappled shade allows filtered light throughout the day. Understanding your site’s light conditions is essential to selecting plants that will thrive rather than merely survive.
Soil type and drainage
Most shade-loving plants prefer well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. Improving soil structure with compost not only supports healthy root systems but also helps regulate moisture levels in shaded areas.
Watering needs
While shaded areas tend to retain moisture longer, regular watering is still important—especially during establishment and dry summers. Avoid overwatering, as prolonged wet soil can lead to root issues, particularly for ferns and other moisture-sensitive plants.
Native vs exotic plants
Native shade plants are generally lower maintenance, well adapted to local conditions, and valuable for supporting wildlife. Plants such as our native Plectranthus argentatus [Silver Spurflower], will thrive even in challenging Australian conditions such as under Eucalyptus trees.
Exotic plants can introduce bold foliage and colour but may require more care. If you are looking to create a tropical haven, exotic plants such as Alocasia varieties will create instant tropical impact with their oversized leaves. A balanced mix of both exotic and native plants often delivers the best aesthetic and functionality.
Tips for designing a shade garden
Layer plants: Combine taller shrubs with medium and low-growing plants to create depth and texture.
Add texture and colour: Mix leaf shapes, foliage colours, and flowers to brighten dark corners.
Use features: Incorporate water features, stones, or pathways to complement shady plantings.
Common mistakes to avoid
Overcrowding plants, reducing airflow.
Planting sun-loving species in deep shade.
Ignoring soil quality—shade plants often need rich, well-draining soil.
Neglecting watering during dry periods.
Seasonal care for shade plants in Australia
Summer: Mulch to retain moisture and water regularly.
Autumn: Clear fallen leaves and fertilise lightly.
Winter: Protect frost-sensitive species.
Spring: Prune and divide perennials as needed.
Top 18 shade-loving plants for Australian landscapes
Our expert team at Plantmark has curated a list of our Top 18 plants for shade, focusing on reliable, shade-tolerant shrubs and feature plants.
Each plant on this list offers something unique—whether it’s lush foliage, standout texture, seasonal flower colour, or performance in challenging conditions such as dry shade.
Ready to discover our best plants for shade?
In no particular order, here are our favourites!
1. Plectranthus argentatus
Silver Spurflower
Why we love it: Soft, silvery foliage that brightens shaded areas and provides beautiful contrast to deeper green plantings. In autumn, Plectranthus argentatus produces masses of sage-like, blue to white flowers, adding seasonal interest and attracting pollinators. Bonus: It's an Australian native too!
Best for: Shaded borders, containers, mass plantings, and challenging dry shade locations.
Landscape style: Contemporary, native or cottage-style landscapes, particularly effective in naturalistic and low-maintenance designs.
Size and position: Grows approx. 0.5–1m high. Suitable for full sun, semi-shade and full shade. Highly drought tolerant once established and an excellent choice for dry shade, including under eucalyptus trees.
2. Ligularia reniformis
Tractor Seat
Why we love it: the large, bold, kidney-shaped leaves of Ligularia reniformis famously resemble old-fashioned tractor seats, creating instant impact and a lush, tropical feel in shaded gardens.
Best for: Moist, shaded garden beds, woodland-style plantings, and under-tree locations where soil stays moist.
Landscape style: Tropical, woodland, or naturalistic landscapes where strong foliage form is key.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1–1.5m high. Best suited to full shade or semi-shade.
3. Asplenium australasicum
Bird’s Nest Fern
Why we love it: Large, glossy, architectural fronds radiate from a central point to form a distinctive nest shape, bringing strong structure and an authentic, native rainforest aesthetic to shaded gardens.
Best for: Shaded courtyards, under-tree planting, and protected garden spaces with moist, well drained soil.
Landscape style: Tropical, rainforest, native or contemporary landscapes that benefit from the bold foliage and clean form of Asplenium australasicum.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1–1.5m high and wide. Best suited to full shade or semi-shade.
4. Correa reflexa pulchella Dusky Bells
Native Fuchsia
Why we love it: Attractive, pendulous bell-shaped flowers appear through the cooler months, providing valuable winter interest and an important food source for smaller birds. Correa Dusky Bells can be clipped into a neat sphere as a native alternative to English Box (Buxus sempervirens) or you can grab ready-clipped spheres at Plantmark.
Best for: Native gardens, understorey planting, and wildlife-friendly landscapes where low maintenance is key.
Landscape style: Native, naturalistic, wildlfe-friendly, or cottage-style gardens, particularly effective in informal plantings.
Alternative option: Correa baeuerlenii (Chef’s Hat Correa) is an excellent alternative for similar shaded positions, offering equally reliable performance.
Size and position: Grows approx. 60cm-1m H x W. Highly adaptable and suitable for any aspect, from full sun through to full shade.
5. Philodendron xanadu
Syn. Thaumatophyllum xanadu
Why we love it: Deeply lobed, dense, lush foliage creates a bold, architectural feature and is perfect for creating layers in tropical-style gardens. The striking form of Philodendron xanadu adds depth and dimension to shaded planting schemes.
Best for: Feature planting or mass use in shaded beds, particularly in tropical-inspired landscapes. Perfect for mid storey planting.
Landscape style: Tropical or contemporary gardens that benefit from bold foliage and layered planting.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1–1.5m high and wide. Low-maintenance and versatile, it can tolerate a variety of light conditions, from bright indirect light to partial shade.
6. Fatsia japonica
Paperplant
Why we love it: The large, glossy leaves of Fatsia japonica provide structure and brighten deep shade, creating instant tropical impact. Its fast growth makes it ideal for quickly establishing a bold, tropical-style feature in the garden.
Best for: Feature planting in sheltered, shaded locations, courtyards, or under trees.
Landscape style: Tropical, modern, or Japanese-inspired landscapes where bold foliage is key.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1.5–4m high. Thrives in semi-shade to full shade.
7. Bartlettina sordida
Purple Torch / Blue Mist Flower
Why we love it: Its large, velvety leaves and bold, pom-pom-like lilac-purple flowers, add impact, texture, and softness to shaded garden spaces.
Best for: Bartlettina sordida creates a standout feature in sheltered, semi-shaded areas, attracting pollinators and enhancing garden interest.
Landscape style: Cottage, subtropical, or tropical gardens for bold foliage and colour.
Size and position: Grows approx. 3m high × 2.5m wide. Prefers semi-shade.
8. Blechnum gibbum Silver Lady
Silver Lady Fern
Why we love it: One of our favourite ferns! Elegant, arching fronds with a subtle silvery sheen create a soft, layered texture that adds depth to shaded garden areas.
Best for: Under-tree planting, shaded garden beds, and moist, sheltered spots.
Landscape style: Blechnum gibbum Silver Lady is ideal for woodland, rainforest, or tropical gardens where delicate foliage is a feature.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1m high and wide. Thrives in full to semi-shade in moist, well drained soil.
9. Elaeagnus ebbingei
Ebbing’s Silverberry
Why we love it: Tough, reliable shrub with silvery, grey-green foliage that brightens shaded areas. We love Elaeagnus ebbingei for its hardiness, drought tolerance, and ease of care, making it a perfect low-maintenance choice for a busy lifestyle.
With its naturally rounded shape, it looks fantastic clipped into a neat sphere, and it is also available at Plantmark as ready-to-plant spheres.
Best for: Fast-growing screening, hedging, or structural planting in shaded or semi-shaded areas.
Landscape style: Contemporary, Mediterranean, or coastal landscapes where resilience, form, and low maintenance are valued.
Size and position: Grows approx. 2–3m high. Thrives in any position from full sun through to full shade.
10. Arthropodium cirratum Matapouri Bay
New Zealand Rock Lily
Why we love it: Clean, strappy foliage with delicate, star-shaped white flowers in spring brings charm and interest, even in tricky dry-shade spots. The architectural form of Arthropodium Matapouri Bay adds texture and subtle spring colour to shaded areas.
Best for: Planting under trees, shaded borders, and coastal gardens where low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants are needed.
Landscape style: Coastal, naturalistic, or modern garden designs that benefit from graceful foliage and seasonal flowers.
Size and position: Grows approx. 0.5–1m high. Suitable for any position from full sun to shade.
11. Alocasia macrorrhiza
Giant Elephant’s Ear / Giant Taro
Why we love it: This tropical beauty needs no introduction! Its dramatic, lush, glossy oversized leaves deliver instant tropical impact, creating a bold focal point in shaded gardens.
Best for: Bold feature planting in moist, sheltered shade where Alocasia macrorrhiza can really stand out.
Landscape style: Tropical and rainforest-style landscapes that benefit from striking, large-scale foliage. For more tropical plants, why not also read our blog on our Top Picks for Tropical Gardens, as selected by our Plantmark team.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1–5m H x 3.5m W. Thrives in semi-shade in warm and humid conditions.
12. Dianella caerulea Little Jess PBR
Blue Flax Lily / Blueberry Lily
Why we love it: A reliable, low-maintenance native with a compact form that produces masses of purple-blue flowers from September to November, followed by decorative berries. Dianella Little Jess is hardy and drought tolerant and it's perfect for adding interest in shaded areas.
Best for: Borders, mass plantings, and understorey use in both residential and commercial landscapes.
Landscape style: Native, coastal, or contemporary landscapes that benefit from resilient planting.
Alternative options: Dianella tasmanica TasRed PBR with its striking red-toned foliage, is also suitable for a semi-shaded position. Check out other Dianella varieties here.
Size and position: Grows approx. 40cm H x W. Suitable for any position, from full sun to full shade.
13. Hydrangea macrophylla
Big Leaf Hydrangea / Mophead
Why we love it: A much-loved garden feature, with large, showy summer blooms that add classic appeal and vibrant colour to shaded areas. Flower colour varies depending on soil type—blue in acidic soils, pink or red in alkaline soils—and the blooms are perfect for cut flowers.
Best for: Shaded borders, garden beds, and feature planting for seasonal flower colour and impact.
Landscape style: Hydrangeas are the classic cottage garden show-stoppers, but are equally at home in formal and contemporary gardens that benefit from bold, showy flowers.
Size and position: Grows approx. 1–1.5m high × 1m wide. Thrives in semi-shade.
14. Clivia miniata
Kaffir Lily / Bush Lily
Why we love it: Clivia miniata varieties are perfect plants for bringing a bright pop of colour to dry shade. Bold orange, red, or yellow flowers appear in winter and early spring, providing much-needed seasonal colour. The long, strap-like dark green leaves grow in clumps, creating lush, attractive foliage all year round.
Best for: Dry shade, under-tree planting, and shaded borders that need winter colour.
Landscape style: Cottage, tropical, or contemporary landscapes where low-maintenance, bold colour is needed.
Size and position: Grows approx. 0.5–1m high. Thrives in semi-shade or full shade.
15. Plectranthus hybrida Mona Lavender PBR
Mona Lavender
Why we love it: Spikes of tall, lavender-purple flowers and deep green, textured foliage bring colour to shade. The upright habit adds structure, making Plectranthus Mona Lavender visually appealing in shady garden beds or containers.
Best for: Brings both colour and foliage interest to shade! Plant in containers, borders, or shaded garden beds.
Landscape style: Cottage, contemporary, or tropical gardens that benefit from compact and colourful plants.
Alternative options: Check out other Plectranthus varieties, such as Plectranthus ambiguus Nico [Swedish Ivy], also a shade-lover!
Size and position: Grows approx. 80cm high × 60cm wide. Prefers semi-shade.
16. Daphne odora
Winter Daphne / Fragrant Daphne
Why we love it: Highly fragrant, pale pink winter flowers provide a sensory delight, adding both colour and scent to shaded garden areas. The compact form of Daphne odora makes it perfect for creating focal points where fragrance can be appreciated.
Best for: Sheltered, shaded positions near paths or seating areas where the scent can be enjoyed.
Landscape style: Cottage, formal, or Asian-inspired gardens that value fragrance and seasonal colour.
Size and position: Grows approx. 0.8–1.5m high. Prefers semi-shade.
17. Rhododendron varieties
Why we love it: A classic choice for adding vibrant colour to shaded areas. The large, colourful spring blooms appear in a range of shades, including pink, purple, red, white, and yellow, providing strong seasonal impact and a striking garden feature.
Best for: Cool, protected, shaded locations with moist (but not soggy) soil to encourage healthy flowering.
Landscape style: Rhododendrons provide bold, seasonal colour to woodland, cottage, or temperate gardens.
Size and position: Size varies by variety, from small bushes to large shrubs, typically 1–3m high. Prefers semi-shade.
18. Helleborus varieties
Winter Rose
Why we love it: Beautiful winter flowers bring a woodland feel to low-light spots, adding subtle colour, texture, and beauty to shaded garden areas. Hellebores are the stars of winter, lifting darker corners with delicate charm.
Best for: Under trees, low-growing borders, and the shady sides of houses or buildings.
Landscape style: Perfect for woodland, cottage, or modern shady spots where you want a touch of winter colour and charm.
Size and position: Grows approx. 15–30cm high. Thrives in full to semi-shade.
Conclusion
Shade gardens are an essential part of well-designed Australian landscapes. With the right plant selection, these spaces can be just as dynamic and visually engaging as sunny areas. Our favourite 18 shade-tolerant plants offer proven performance, strong design appeal, and versatility across a wide range of landscape styles.
From bold foliage and winter flowers to reliable structure and layered texture, these plants help transform shaded areas into thriving, functional garden spaces, perfect for Australian conditions. Keep an eye out for our next blog post, where we’ll be exploring shade-tolerant groundcovers and how to use them effectively in Australian landscapes.
At Plantmark, we don’t just talk about these plants — we make them accessible for your next landscape project. Visit one of our seven Wholesale Nurseries in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast, to view these shade-loving plants in person, available in a range of pot sizes.
Whether you’re creating structure, colour, or texture, our plants are grown and supplied to help tradies, builders, landscapers and industry professionals save time, effort, and labour on site.
Not available at your closest Plantmark Wholesale Nursery? Our Quotes & Orders team can source the best quality plants for your next landscape project, ensuring you get exactly what you need.
Did our 18 best plants for shade include your favourites? Let us know in the comments below — we’d love to hear which plants you’re excited to use in your shady garden spaces.
FAQs
1. Can native plants grow well in shade?
Yes! Many native species like Correa, Dianella, and ferns thrive in shaded conditions and attract local wildlife.
2. How do I maintain shade plants in Australia?
Most require moderate watering, occasional feeding, and pruning to keep them healthy.
3. Can shade plants work in containers?
Absolutely. Many, like Plectranthus and Clivia perform well in pots.
4. Which shade plants are best for winter colour?
Helleborus, Daphne odora, Clivia miniata, and Correa provide winter flowers.
5. Can shade plants tolerate some sun?
Yes, many semi-shade plants tolerate morning or filtered sun but will struggle in full, harsh afternoon sun.