Shade plants

Why you need a shade plant!

Whether or not you have a bare, slightly darker spot to fill, shade plants are simply gorgeous! And it's really not the case that shade plants can only live somewhere with nothing but shade. Shade plants are a lovely addition to your urban jungle, and if you let them get used to a bit of light gradually, it does them no harm at all.

At Green Bubble we have a huge range of different shade plants, so we've put together a list of our favourites for you.

The shade plant Dracaena

The Dracaena is a very robust shade plant; even a serial plant killer won't get the better of this one. This easy shade plant needs very little care, which makes it perfect if you're not blessed with green fingers or have little time for plant care. The Dracaena doesn't need much water: you only have to water the dragon tree once every 3 to 6 weeks. The best way to judge it is by checking how moist the soil is. Too much water certainly doesn't do this striking green shade plant any good. The Dracaena is a true shade plant, so don't put it in direct sunlight. This green rascal is happiest growing somewhere shady.

The shade plant Calathea

The Calathea is a remarkable houseplant from the tropical regions of Brazil and Colombia. What makes this houseplant so special is that it genuinely seems to 'live': when the sun goes down the leaves close, and they open again with the first morning light. The leaves have a distinctive shape: long and lance-shaped with a wavy edge, olive green on top and dark red underneath. On top of its stunning looks, it's also an air-purifying houseplant. This shade plant likes moist soil, and we recommend misting it regularly too. It's happiest in a spot with a little light. Direct sunlight is a real no-go for this plant: its leaves will fade and it will stop producing new ones.

Hanging plant Monstera Monkey Leaf

This unusual hanging plant comes all the way from Mexico and is hugely popular. And no wonder... have you seen those leaves? You could gaze at them for hours. The Monstera Monkey Leaf hanging plant is a genuinely easy houseplant. That doesn't mean this green houseplant needs no attention at all, of course.

The Monstera Monkey Leaf hanging plant isn't a thirsty shade plant. As long as the soil around the Monstera Monkey Leaf is slightly moist, this beautiful houseplant is perfectly content. The Monstera Monkey Leaf isn't fussy about where it lives either. Just make sure this shade plant isn't in a spot with direct sunlight, or you risk scorching the leaves of this green houseplant.

Caring for shade plants

Shade plants vary enormously in the care they need. A shade plant like the Calathea, for example, needs quite a lot of attention: it likes regular watering and absolutely loves the occasional misting. The Monstera, on the other hand, needs a lot less water. Because care differs so much from one shade plant to the next, it's wise to read up before you put a plant in the shade.

The great thing about shade plants is that they don't suffer quickly from a lack of sunlight. So it's no problem for your shade plant if you forget to open the curtains now and then! Despite needing so little sunlight, shade plants do stay green, as long as you water them as needed. Misting your shade plant also helps to keep those leaves lush and green. It goes without saying that shade plants do best in the shade. Yet some plants grow perfectly well in the shade but do even better with a little sunlight. Take the Kentia palm: this shade plant grows well in the shade, but with a bit of sunlight it will grow even faster.

Different types of shade plants

There are lots of different shade plants. Take the evergreen shade plants, for instance, or the shade plants that cope well with dry soil. With so many different indoor shade plants around, there's a beautiful shade plant for every plant lover!

Shade plants that cope well with dry soil

Shade plants that grow well in dry soil need relatively little water. Take the Sansevieria, or snake plant. The Sansevieria is a true shade plant that needs very little water and maintenance. It grows well in the shade, but does just as well in sunlight. And the best part: even in the shade, it stays an evergreen shade plant! The Dracaena is another shade superstar. This shade plant grows perfectly well in dry soil. The Dracaena is one of the toughest shade plants around, even though it looks like an ordinary houseplant that needs careful attention. Looks can deceive: the Dracaena can take a knock or two.

Shade plants that can also stand in the sun

Looking for a shade plant that can also cope with bright indirect light? No worries, there are a number of lovely shade plants that will grow in both light and dark spots. Take the Kentia palm. The Kentia palm is essentially a shade plant, but it does just fine in daylight too. When this shade-loving palm gets a bit more sunlight, it will grow a little faster.

The Monstera, or Swiss cheese plant, is another very well-known plant for the shade. This shade plant is evergreen and does perfectly well in a dark spot. There's a reason it's such a popular shade plant! The Monstera also needs relatively little care. A shade plant with plenty going for it.

Shade plants in your home

Shade plants are perfect for that dark corner in your bedroom, say, or for bathrooms with little sunlight. Below you'll find a list of ideal spots for shade plants. Need a little inspiration? Read on!

Shade plants in your living room

Dark corners in a living room are perfect spots for shade plants. Shade plants such as the Kentia palm or Monstera can grow very large, even in the shade. So give them plenty of room and place them about a metre away from the wall. That way they have all the space they need to grow!

Shade plants in your bedroom

Do you often forget to open the curtains after you leave the bedroom? Plants for shady spots don't mind in the slightest. Plants in bedrooms often don't survive as long: they tend to get forgotten and sometimes stand in the dark all day. Yet you can still enjoy an evergreen shade plant in your bedroom! The Sansevieria or a Dracaena, for example, is a perfect shade plant for a bedroom.

Shade plants in your bathroom

It's very much on trend these days to fill your bathroom with plants. But the bathroom is often a spot that can be very dark, and that can cause problems for plants that don't like shade. Luckily, there are shade plants that love both shade and high humidity! The perfect combination for a bathroom shade plant. The Calathea is a perfect bathroom shade plant: it doesn't like direct sunlight, but it does love high humidity and plenty of water. So the steam from your shower or bath is very much appreciated by this shade plant.

Shade plants in your kitchen

Do you have a dark kitchen but still want to enjoy a healthy green look while you cook? Evergreen shade plants are the perfect candidates for your dark kitchen. In fact, almost any type of shade plant works in a kitchen. A Kentia palm makes a beautiful shade plant next to a kitchen island, for example, and a Calathea can add a bit of green and colour to the kitchen table. Plenty of options for shade plants in a kitchen!

Buying a shade plant at Green Bubble

Green Bubble is the place to buy a shade plant, of course! When you decide to buy a shade plant, you naturally want a beautiful, healthy plant.

At Green Bubble we work hard every day to make sure we only ship top-quality plants. All our shade plants come straight from the grower, so we can guarantee freshness. Happy customers and healthy plants make us very happy indeed! Want to buy a shade plant but don't have room in your car? No problem, we ship your shade plant to you free of charge. So you never have to lug a shade plant around again.

Ordering a shade plant is quick and easy in our webshop. Order your shade plant today and it'll be with you in no time!

Easy ordering and beautiful houseplants: that's what Green Bubble stands for. Want to buy a plant for a shady spot? Join the Green Bubble!