TheNaturePlanet

For many beginners, growing plants seems to mean putting them in direct sunlight. But in fact, some plants actually prefer to be placed in shaded corners under trees — if they are exposed to too much direct light, they may wilt instead. So, which plants thrive in shade? Let’s take a look.

Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Hydrangea, also known as hortensia, French hydrangea, or “pom-pom flower,” produces blooms that cluster together like round bouquets, creating a sense of fullness. In summer, hydrangeas need timely shading; otherwise, their leaves can heat up to 45 °C within just ten minutes, damaging cell membranes. If they are exposed to strong sun for three hours in a row, the entire plant may turn yellow and lose its leaves.

Care tips: Place them on a north-facing balcony or under tree shade, allowing only 1–2 hours of gentle morning light each day. In summer, mist the leaves in the early morning and evening to increase humidity and help cool the plant. If the leaves get sunburned, prune away the scorched parts and use a covering bag to retain moisture and encourage new growth.

Clivia (Clivia miniata)
Clivia has fleshy roots and is particularly sensitive to high temperatures. Once the temperature rises above 30 °C, the lipids in its root cell membranes age quickly, causing the plant to go dormant. At this point, the leaves may become soft and yellow. If exposed to direct midday sun in summer, the leaves can develop irreversible brown scorch marks.

Care tips: Allow it to receive morning light around 9 a.m., but avoid direct noon sunlight. To prevent root suffocation, you can repot it into a well-ventilated clay pot. If possible, keep it in an environment with a stable temperature around 28 °C.

African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha)
Known as the “queen of indoor flowering plants,” the African violet can bloom for up to 40 days under proper care. It cannot tolerate strong light because its leaves contain special light-sensitive pigments, which only activate flowering genes under low light conditions.

Care tips: In summer, lightly mist the leaves daily to increase humidity, but avoid leaving water droplets in the crown, which can cause rot. During the growing season, apply a diluted phosphorus-potassium fertilizer (about 1:2000 dilution) every two weeks to promote bud development. Avoid using grow lights, as strong light can scorch the leaf hairs and damage the crown.