Plants that like morning sun and afternoon shade are tough and can take large amounts of the bright morning sun.

Plants that Like Morning Sun

Partial shade in the afternoon helps these plants recover, and flowers bloom since too much sun can cause damage.

These are the most common growing conditions for many plants. Let’s help you identify these plants so you can easily grow them. 

Best Plants That Like Morning Sun and Afternoon Shade

1. Daylily (Hemerocallis)

Daylilies are the most carefree perennials you will ever come across. They are known for their toughness and colorful blooms from midsummer to early fall, with new flowers opening daily.

Daylily Hemerocallis

These herbaceous plants have hardy fibrous roots and long narrow leaves growing in a fan shape. The red and purple varieties do well in direct sunlight for about six hours daily and in partial afternoon shade.  

– Zones 

These flowers will thrive in USDA hardiness zones four through nine. They grow to about five feet tall and four feet wide.

– When to Plant 

The ideal time to plant daylilies is early spring after the last frost. You can plant them from division while still dormant from the cold season. You can plant potted daylilies at any time of the year. 

– Soils 

Daylilies thrive in almost any type of soil and are rarely affected by pests and diseases. However, the best soil to use is sandy or a mixture of sandy and loamy that is averagely drained.  

2. Calico Plant (Alternanthera Ficoidea)

The calico plant is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It has beautifully colored leaves resembling purple plums and ruby-red jewels. The blooms range from red to green with bits of orange and yellow. Due to its sprawling habit, this plant can grow as a houseplant or annual groundcover. 

Calico Plant

Other names for this plant include bloodleaf, copper leaf, Joseph’s coat, parrot leaf, and joy weed.

– Zones 

This plant is suitable for growing in USDA hardiness zones three to eight. It is commonly found growing naturally in moist woodland areas. 

– Soils 

The calico plant thrives in rich, well-drained soils with a range of pH values from 6.1 to 7.6. It requires adequate moisture to keep growing. 

– When to Plant

If starting from seeds, sow them in the spring or as soon as they ripen. If you have a growing plant, divide it at the beginning of spring after the frost. Plant the cuttings in the summer when the soil is warm. 

Water regularly but ensure you don’t overdo it. Prune back the foliage to maintain a compact form. 

3. Angelwing Begonia (Begonia ‘Angel Wing)

The Angelwing begonia is an easy plant to grow that has eye-catching beauty. It is native to Brazil but grows across the world, America included.

Angelwing Begonia

This plant grows on upright stems with attractive dotted leaves and unique colors. It features a magnificent display of white, orange, and pink flowers. It blooms beautifully, starting from early fall to summer. 

– Zones

Angelwing thrives in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11. This plant grows to about 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide.

– When to Plant

The best time to plant this beauty is at the beginning of spring after the last frost date once the soil warms up. If growing it indoors, you can start any time of the year as long as you keep it near a window and make sure it is well moisturized. 

– Soils 

The best soils for this Angelwing begonia are well-drained, moist, rich soils with a neutral, acidic pH. Add some fertilizer or compost manure to enrich the soil from time to time. 

4. Rex Begonia (Begonia ‘Rex)

Rex begonia is a perennial flower with colorful foliage that is one of the best plants to grow indoors. The leaves are pinkish and reddish and mature 12 to 14 weeks after being planted. It is a short houseplant that makes it perfect for tabletops and office desks, where it wildly displays its colorful variegated foliage. 

Rex Begonia

It is also a perfect contrast against other houseplants. It is exclusively grown for its foliage – the blooms tend to be too small and less showy, with many growers pinching them off to maintain the colorful leaf displays. 

– Growing Zones 

Rex begonia does well in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. They have moderate growth, growing to about 12 inches in height.  

– When to Plant 

Plant Rex begonia in May after the frost has passed if growing them outdoors. If growing them indoors, plant them any time of the year, keeping them near a window for adequate sunlight. 

To grow Rex begonia, you will need porous and light potting soil that allows easy water penetration and does not hold liquids in.  

5. Fuchsia Plant (Fuchsia spp.)

This remarkable plant is commonly identifiable because of the upside-down flower heads that seem to reach the earth instead of growing upwards like most flowers. The blooms are eye-catching, coming in different colors. The most common varieties have purple and pink petals. 

Fuchsia Plant

Pinching back the blooms will encourage more bloom, allowing you to enjoy these plants even more. These are the best showstopper flowers for your outdoor spaces. 

– Zones 

This plant will do well in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 11, growing to a height of one to two feet and spreading similarly. Fuchsia thrives in fertile soils with a pH of six to seven that require regular watering in the spring and less in winter.  

– When to Plant 

The best time to plant these outstanding plants is during the late spring or early summer. Planting them in the autumn or winter will kill them before they even get established. 

6. Caladium Plant (Caladium Bicolor)

Caladium is a tropical perennial plant with beautiful and colorful heart-shaped leaves. It is native to the warm tropical forests of South and Central America. It belongs to the Araceae or arum family and is grown as an ornamental plant. Caladium has thousands of cultivars that you can choose to grow. 

Caladium Plant

Caladium plant is toxic if ingested, so ensure you plant it away from pets and children.  

– Zones 

Caladiums do well in hardiness zones nine through ten, growing to 18 to 24 inches high, but you can also find some dwarf versions that grow below one foot in height and width. 

– When to Plant 

You can grow caladiums from June until the first day of the frost. The ideal time to plant them is in the late spring, after the last frost has passed and soils are warming up.

– Soils 

The best soil to grow your caladiums is moist, rich, well-drained soil. It would be ideal if you spaced them at least 8 to 12 inches apart to help them thrive. 

7. Peonies (Paeonia)

Peonies are beautiful flowering plants that make an elegant low hedge or act as sentinels that line the walkways. They bloom in the summer, lasting throughout the hot season. They have layers of large petals, vibrant hues, and a sweet scent, making them a beautiful addition to your garden or bouquet. 

Peonies Paeonia

The flowers are pink, white, red, yellow, and orange. You can enjoy these flowers for up to three weeks in a vase with the proper upkeep or dry them to enjoy their colors even longer. Peonies come in three types, which are tree, intersectional (Itoh), and bush (herbaceous).

– Zones 

Peonies do well in USDA hardiness zones two through eight, depending on the variety. The trees reach four to seven feet tall and four to five feet wide. The bush and intersectional types grow to one to three feet tall and wide. 

– Soils 

Peonies thrive in rich, well-drained soil under full sun and partial shade. Avoid growing them in saturated soils as their roots will die. The majority of these plants prefer neutral or slightly alkaline soil. Tree peonies are more tolerant of acidic soils and need a sheltered location. 

8. Wax Begonias 

Another type of begonia is the wax begonia, available in white, yellow, orange, red, or pink flowers. These plants can grow well indoors or outdoors in flowerpots, containers, or gardens. 

Wax Begonias

It blooms in the late spring until the first frost, producing single or double flowers that are two inches in diameter. The leaves are rounded and waxy green or bronze, but you can still find a few hybrids in variegated foliage. 

– Zones 

Wax begonia grows in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, growing as an annual or a houseplant. It reaches at least 6 to 24 inches tall and wide when exposed to afternoon shade. 

When to Plant 

Plant it in the late spring after all the frost threat has passed and the temperatures are at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night.  

– Soils

The soils for growing wax begonia should be moist and well-watered but not clogged. They should be light, rich, and well-drained. Add some fertilizer or compost manure to enrich the soil and cause the plant to thrive. 

– Resistant Levels 

This plant is highly resistant to deer and rabbit invasions. It is also heat tolerant as well as insect and disease tolerant, growing quickly without any issue.

9. Iresine Bloodleaf

Bloodleaf is one of the perennial plants that brighten up your home. It has a glossy red foliage that grows well in the bright morning sunlight and partial shade.

Iresine Bloodleaf

The red leaves are variegated with green and white markings, with contrasting borders and beds. This plant occasionally produces small greening flowers that are not ornamental, and most growers pinch them off. You can grow it outdoors or bring it indoors as a lovely houseplant.  

– Zones 

Bloodleaf enjoys growing in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11 and can grow up to five feet high and three feet wide. It enjoys high humidity and heat.  

– When to Plant 

The best time to plant Iresine is late spring after all the harmful danger of frost has passed and the potting soil has warmed up both day and night. 

The best soil to grow this plant is rich, moist, well-drained soil that releases water quickly. Consider adding a bit of organic mulch around the plant to help preserve moisture. 

10. Lobelia (Lobelia Erinus)

Lobelia is a trailing compact annual plant ideal for hanging baskets, planters, and ground cover. It is available in dark blue, white, purple, pink, or red colors.

Lobelia Erinus

It has a genus of 400 species of flowering plants in the bellflower family. It blooms from spring to fall, with a lull during summer. 

– Zones 

This plant grows annually in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, growing to about three or five inches tall. This plant thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soils with regular fertilizing. This plant does not do well in clogged soil that traps in water as it kills the roots. 

– When to Plant 

The best time to plant lobelia, if starting from seeds, is from winter to mid-spring. Place the seeds somewhere warm where they will germinate without the effect of cold. 

11. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos Spectabilis)

The bleeding heart gets its name from its puffy heart-shaped pink flowers that hang from the long, arching stems. Underneath the heart shape is a protruding white petal that looks like a drop, hence the name bleeding.

Bleeding Heart

This flower is a representation of love and romance in general. This is a woodland plant that blooms in the spring.  

– Zones 

This plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones three to nine, growing to about three inches tall and wide. Bleeding heart enjoys well-drained soils that release water quickly. If the soil remains too soggy, the roots will rot. It thrives in full sun, but it’s best to shield it from the harsh afternoon sun. 

– When to Plant 

Bleeding hearts are planted early in spring after the last frost date. Dormant plants will start re-growing after the soil warms up day and night. 

12. Coral Bells (Huechera)

Coral bells, also known as alumroot, are perennial plants that remain evergreen in many climates. Their foliage is available in many colors like purple, bronze, and more.

Coral Bells

The flowers bloom during late spring to early summer, ranging from white to pink to light coral and deep red.  

– Zones 

This plant grows in USDA hardiness zones four through nine, growing to about 8 to 18 inches tall and around 12 to 24 inches wide. 

The ideal time to plant coral bells is in late fall or early spring. It grows at a moderate pace. 

– Soils 

Coral bells prefer to grow in humus-rich soils that have neutral to slightly acidic soil pH between 6.0 to 7.0. The soil must have good drainage, especially in shaded areas. Damp soils will cause the crown to rot. 

Conclusion

Generally, this list contained plants that like morning sun and afternoon shade, so here are several essential things to consider before growing these plants.

  • Learn what zone you are in and ensure that the zones you live in allow you to grow these plants. You can always check online what zone you live in. 
  • If you want easy to maintain plants, you can go for the daylily, angelwing begonia, fuchsia plant, or peony.  
  • Always shield these plants from the intense afternoon sun that could make them wither or dry up.  
  • Provide each plant with the right growing conditions if you want to see them thrive in different conditions. 

These plants that like morning sun and afternoon shade will brighten your home or garden with some color and pomp.

They will thrive in a combination of bright morning sun and a cool afternoon shade, especially when sheltered from the harsh afternoon sun, so always consider the climatic conditions of your area before you grow any of these plants to avoid disappointments. All the best as you explore new types of plants! 

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