20 Best Plants To Grow Under Trees For Landscaping

Looking at that bare patch under your tree again?

Yeah, I see you. Staring at that sad, dusty circle under the tree wondering, “What the heck can even grow there?”

Been there. Done that. Killed a few ferns in the process.

But here’s the good news—plenty of plants actually love that shady, root-packed spot. You just need to pick the right ones. And lucky for you, I’ve tried almost all of them in my backyard.

So grab a drink, pull up a chair, and let’s talk plants that don’t mind a little tree competition.

1. Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Let’s start with the overachiever of the shade world.

Vinca minor spreads like gossip in a small town. It carpets the ground with shiny green leaves and perky purple flowers.

It’s super low-maintenance. Like, you can forget it exists, and it’ll still thrive.
Bonus: It keeps weeds away better than your nosy neighbor.

2. Hostas

These are the kings of shade gardens—and rightfully so.

They come in all sizes, with leaf patterns that look like nature got creative with a paintbrush.
They don’t bloom much, but who cares? That foliage steals the show anyway.

Just watch out for slugs. They love hostas like I love late-night snacks.

3. Astilbe

Looking for something fancy? Astilbe says hi.

Its feathery plumes add texture, color, and a little drama—perfect if you’re tired of plain greens under your trees.

It loves moist soil. So if you’ve got dry dirt under there, add mulch or water it regularly.
Or just whisper sweet nothings to it. Whatever works.

4. Liriope (Lilyturf)

This plant has a cool name and cooler benefits.

It handles drought, shade, foot traffic, and even your dog digging it up.
It’s basically indestructible. I planted some under a maple tree, forgot it existed, and it’s still thriving.

It also gives off little purple flowers and berries. Yes, it’s that overachiever friend we all secretly admire.

5. Ferns (Especially Autumn and Lady Fern)

If your under-tree zone is cool, shady, and kinda Jurassic Park-ish, ferns are your go-to.

They don’t care about low light. They just want decent moisture and maybe a little mulch.

Autumn Fern turns copper in fall, which looks like nature’s mood lighting.
Lady Fern? Classic. Elegant. Zero drama.

6. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Want color without flowers? Heuchera’s got your back.

Its leaves come in purples, reds, silvers, even lime green. You could practically use them in a salad—don’t, but you could.

They love partial shade and make your boring tree base pop like it just got a makeover on HGTV.

7. Ajuga (Bugleweed)

This one’s sneaky good.

It hugs the ground with deep green or purple foliage, then sends up little blue flower spikes like it’s waving at you.

It grows fast, keeps weeds down, and doesn’t ask for much.
Honestly, if it babysat, I’d let it watch my kids.

8. Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

Okay, not the cutest name. But this plant is gorgeous under trees.

It has spotted leaves (yes, spotted!) and blooms in pink, blue, or violet depending on the variety.

It handles dry shade and still manages to look like it belongs in a fancy botanical garden.
Ever seen a diva bloom in the shadows? That’s Lungwort.

9. Hellebores (Lenten Rose)

These are the early birds of the garden world.

Hellebores bloom in late winter or early spring, way before the trees leaf out.
They’re shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and last for years.

I’ve got a clump under my oak tree that’s still thriving after five years. Zero maintenance. All reward.

10. Lamium (Dead Nettle)

Dead nettle sounds like something that’d bite you—but it’s actually super cute.

It grows fast, forms a nice groundcover, and its silver-speckled leaves brighten up dark spots like a mirror in a cave.

Add pink, white, or purple blooms and you’ve got a plant that makes shade look good.

11. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

Want something graceful and soft? This grass sways in the breeze like it’s in a shampoo commercial.

It thrives in dappled shade, especially under birch, cherry, or dogwood trees.

The golden or variegated foliage brightens up your shady area better than most flowers.

12. Epimedium (Barrenwort)

Epimedium is like the introvert of plants.

It’s quiet, unbothered, and totally chill with dry shade.
It flowers in spring with delicate blooms that look like little fairies.

Its heart-shaped leaves even turn red in fall. It’s like getting three seasons of personality in one plant.

13. Solomon’s Seal

Here’s one for the plant nerds—and I say that lovingly.

Solomon’s Seal has arching stems and dangling white flowers.
It looks like a botanical chandelier, and it thrives under deciduous trees.

In fall, its leaves turn buttery yellow. Not bad for a guy growing in the shadows.

14. Tiarella (Foamflower)

It sounds like a spa treatment, and it kind of looks like one too.

Foamflower creates a low carpet of fuzzy green or burgundy-tinted leaves, then shoots up little white or pink flowers.

Great under oaks, maples, or dogwoods. It plays well with hostas and ferns too.

15. Hardy Geranium (Cranesbill)

Don’t confuse this with the annual kind you stick in window boxes.

Hardy geraniums are tough little perennials that love dappled light and still bloom like it’s their job.

They sprawl nicely, suppress weeds, and ask for very little in return.
Kind of like a good roommate.

16. Pachysandra

This one’s a classic, especially in East Coast landscaping.

It’s evergreen, low-growing, and covers ground like a green rug.

It doesn’t mind tree roots and poor soil. But don’t plant it where it’ll get too much sun—it’s a shade specialist through and through.

17. Woodland Phlox

Here’s a native beauty that thrives under trees.

Woodland phlox offers soft purple blooms and a gentle fragrance. It attracts butterflies but won’t scream for attention.

Plant it under pines or oaks, and enjoy the show every spring.

18. Sweet Woodruff

This one smells amazing. Seriously.

Crush a leaf and you’ll get a sweet, hay-like scent that makes you want to lie down and nap under the tree.

It’s a groundcover that blooms in spring with tiny white flowers. Total fairy garden vibes.

19. Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)

This one’s a hidden gem.

It has large, heart-shaped leaves—often with silver veining—and baby blue flowers that look like forget-me-nots.

It handles deep shade like a champ and gives you a cool, lush look. Think cottage garden meets enchanted forest.

20. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)

Last but definitely not least, this plant glows.

Creeping Jenny has bright chartreuse leaves that light up the darkest shade.
It cascades beautifully over rocks, borders, or tree roots.

It can be aggressive, so don’t let it near delicate plants. But if you’ve got space, let it shine.

Final Thoughts: Shady Doesn’t Mean Boring

Growing plants under trees doesn’t have to be frustrating.

You just need the right players—shade lovers, groundcover champions, and foliage superstars.
Mix texture, color, and height to create a space that feels natural and lush.

So next time you look at that bare dirt under your tree, don’t sigh—smile.
You’ve got 20 beautiful options waiting to bring it to life.

Have a favorite from the list? Or one I missed?
Tell me in the comments—or better yet, go plant it and send me a pic.

Happy planting, shade whisperers.