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As the world shrinks and society becomes increasingly urbanized, you barely see a home garden that gets at least six hours per day.
Homes are closely positioned, limiting you to a shady patio, deck, or balcony.
So most homeowners have no choice but to adapt and veer toward container gardening with plants that thrive in such environments.
That said, if you want to add a bit of greenery to your space, here are the most popular container plants for partial sun amongst homeowners.
Container Plants For Partial Sun
1. Fuchsia
Fuchsia is one of those plants you run to boost your outdoor space’s color.
They have spectacular pendent blooms and are more comfortable growing in pots and containers.
Moreover, there are about 100 species with a variety of colors. So you can choose one that best complements your home’s style.
You will cherish them more hanging in a basket, but they also look inviting in a mixed container –so long as they are paired with companions with contrasting colors.
This plant will bloom Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, or White flowers with Chartreuse/Gold, Blue/Green, Gray/Silver Foliage all summer.
Many species of birds find this attractive and will travel miles to dine on a Fuchsia.
And while they can thrive in part shade, they also do well in full shade. But you MUST ensure they are resting on rich, well-drained soil.
2. Torenia (Torenia fournieri)
Another standout container plant that thrives in the partial sun is Torenia –a genus of plants in the family Linderniaceae.
They, too, can enliven your space with their small blue-purple and black flowers.
Torenia doesn’t look as striking as Fuchsia, but you can make a HUGE statement depending on the species.
Also, Torenia is a cheerful annual plant that flowers all summer long. They are also heat tolerant and don’t demand much attention –just regular watering and fertilizing, and they will be fine.
They can thrive in full shade as much as they enjoy part shade.
And one more thing:
Torenia is responsive to surrounding plants and the type of container you house them. Thus, provide them with great combinations (like with Wishbone flower) and in containers with good drainage.
You can use it in window boxes and hanging baskets. But it should be in rich, well-drained soil.
3. Begonias
What makes Begonias so appealing is its diversity.
There are over 1,800 species in the genus. This means limitless choice!
If you want them in containers, you should settle for the rhizomatous, rex, or tuberous begonias.
The major of gardeners loves these begonias for their neon-bright flowers with leaf shapes, colors, and textures that appeal to the eyes.
During summer, most species will bloom like crazy, while some won’t.
But they all have these things in come: excellent drainage, no soggy soil, regular fed with diluted fertilizer, full shade or filter shade.
4. Trailing Lobelia
WARNING: you have to be selective with the trailing lobelia because many species prefer direct sun and won’t be happy in part shade.
The Lobelia erinus is often the favorite plant for shady containers.
This small, arching purple flower plant comes in a cluster, which makes them a good catch in an ornamental landscape.
Trailing lobelia are available in various flower colors, including red, violet, blue, purple, and pink.
5. Dichondra
For some reason Dichondra pairs wonderfully well with succulents. They hail from the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.
But are perennial, prostrate, herbaceous plants with creeping stems. Their flowers can be greenish, white, or yellowish but are 2–3 mm long.
They are ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and tall containers since they remain 4 inches high but send out shoot up to four feet long.
Make no mistake, dichondra are sun lovers but can tolerate partial shade. They are drought tolerant in gardens but love their roots wet more often in containers.
6. Creeping Jenny
Creeping Jenny looks pretty, but their blooms don’t last long.
This hardy perennial plant has spreading mats of long stems and round lime-green leaves that work well in hanging baskets and tall containers.
They are not the fanciest yellow flowers but make the perfect spiller plant since their foliage can brighten shady areas.
On top of that, they can tolerate low-light conditions and even grow back stronger after pruning.
However, their invasive nature restricts them to containers instead in the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Fruit And Vegetables Go Well Together In Pots?
I will just list out the best Container Plant Companions.
1. Carrots, beans, and squash —particularly Adelaide Hybrid Carrots, Top Crop Beans, and Sunburst Hybrid Squash.
2. Eggplant and beans: you will enjoy their partnership more when it is Epic Hybrid Eggplant and Provider Beans.
3. Basil, tomatoes, and onions: it should be Everleaf Emerald Towers Basil, 42 Days Tomatoes, and Guardsman Onions
4. Lettuce and herbs: this pairing also works, preferably Sweet Repeat Lettuce, Chives, and Dukat Dill.
5. Chard, spinach, and onions: Your selection should be Lucullus Swiss Chard, Space Hybrid Spinach, and Warrior Bunching Onions.
However, there are combinations you MUST avoid;
- Beans, garlic, and onions
- Carrots with dill or fennel
- Tomatoes or squash with potatoes
- Onions with beans or peas
These plants are very competitive with each other since they require different treatments.
What Color Is Best For a Container Garden?
Well, it depends on your personal preference and the style you are trying to achieve.
Some of the most popular use planter colors in most homes are:
- Black
- White
- Gray
- Green
- Brown
But for anything outdoor, opting for darker-colored pots is preferable as they absorb more sunlight and retain heat longer.
Do Plants Grow Better In Bigger Pots?
Hmmm, yeah!
Plants will thrive more in an enormous container compared to a too-small pot.
Plants would love to spread their root across available soil within their raider. The idea is to absorb as many nutrients as possible for survival. However, it takes more than just a bigger pot to achieve that.
In smaller pots, on the other hand, the soil tends to dry too quickly. And due to the compact space, your plant becomes root-bounded and exhibits stunted growth.
After much imaging and analysis, Plant scientists found that “doubling plant pot size makes plants grow over 40 percent larger.”
However, it is best to stick with the preferable pot size of your plants.
What Fertilizer To Use For Container Plants?
Numerous fertilizers are on the market, promising to nourish and keep your plants looking their best throughout the growing season.
Some of the best fertilizers (used mainly by gardeners for container gardening or pot gardening/farming) are seaweed, Liquid kelp, or fish-based fertilizers.
Although it is subjective.
But if you are just getting your foot in the door, using an all-purpose fertilizer will be a good place to start.
It provides a balanced nutritional profile of nitrogen, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, and phosphorus –all the necessary nutrients– suitable for vegetables, flowers, lawns, shrubs, and trees.
WARNING!!!
You MUST adhere to the label instructions for mixing rates and application.
Beside Fertilizer, What Do You Add To Soil For Container Gardening?
If you don’t want to introduce chemical applications to your garden, adding a bit of compost or garden soil will go a long way.
Besides, these chemical substances aren’t as rich in nutrients as we think. But going organic will spoil the soil with all these nutrients your plants need.
I’m not talking of manure; compost or garden soil is all you need.
Many gardeners combine vermiculite or perlite with sphagnum moss or peat to make potting soil for their outdoor container arrangements.
But you can add compost and leaf mold to this potting mix, as this combo offers a broader spectrum of plant nutrients.
Conclusion
So that is all you need to know about container plants for partial sun.
But you should have it at the back of your mind that these plants will tolerate shade for most of the daylight hours.
However, they all need at least two to four hours of direct sunlight daily to thrive.
This is a MUST-FOLLOW routine for these container plants every single day, if you want them growing healthy.
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