Plant Growing Guides

Shade-Tolerant Groundcovers (Ivy & Periwinkle)

Hedera helix (English Ivy) / Vinca minor (Periwinkle)

'Ōpelu

Peperomia species (commonly P. obtusifolia or P. polybotrya in Hawaiian cultivation)

Vinca (Periwinkle)

Catharanthus roseus (annual) / Vinca minor (perennial groundcover)

Shade-tolerant groundcovers: Liriope and Coral Honeysuckle

Liriope muscari and Lonicera sempervirens

Shade-Tolerant Herbs

Multiple species

Shade-tolerant Herbs (Mint and Oregano)

Mentha spp. and Origanum spp.

Shade-tolerant Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Shade-tolerant Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Shade-tolerant Mint Varieties

Mentha spp.

Shade-tolerant Palms

Various genera (Chamaedorea, Rhapis, Howea, Zamia spp.)

Liriope (Lilyturf)

Liriope muscari

Shade-tolerant Petunia

Petunia × hybrida

Aucuba (Japanese Laurel)

Aucuba japonica

Shade-tolerant Sweet Potato Vine

Ipomoea batatas

Shade-tolerant tropical plants

Various species (Alocasia, Anthurium, Epipremnum, Philodendron, etc.)

Tropical Understory Plants (Shade-Tolerant)

Various species adapted to forest understory

Heliconia (Lobster Claw)

Heliconia spp.

Shade-Tolerant Leafy Greens (Spinach & Lettuce)

Spinacia oleracea & Lactuca sativa

Shade-tolerant Vinca

Catharanthus roseus

Shade Trees and Shrubs

Various species (e.g., Acer, Quercus, Ilex, Photinia)

Shade Trees (Banana, Plantain, Coconut)

Musa spp., Cocos nucifera L.

Coral Tree / Silk Tree / Avocado (Shade Trees)

Erythrina spp. / Albizia julibrissin / Persea americana

Shade Tree Species

Various (Acer, Quercus, Ulmus, Tilia, Fraxinus, and others)

Shadowland Autumn Fern

Dryopteris erythrosora 'Shadowland'

Shallow-rooted Competing Trees

Multiple species (e.g., Acer palmatum, Betula pendula, Prunus serrulata)

Shallow-rooted herbs

Various species

Shallow-rooted herbs (Basil and Parsley)

Ocimum basilicum and Petroselinum crispum

Shampoo Ginger

Zingiber zerumbet

Shanghai Bok Choy

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

Shanghai Bok Choy Summergreen

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

Shanghai Green

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

Shanghai Yu Choy

Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis

Shangri-La

Ipomoea batatas 'Shangri-La'

Shenandoah Coleus

Plectranthus scutellarioides 'Shenandoah'

Sheoak

Casuarina equisetifolia

Shishi-Gashira Camellia

Camellia japonica 'Shishi-Gashira'

Shiso

Perilla frutescens

Shiso Sumire

Perilla frutescens var. crispa

Showa Supreme

Nandina domestica 'Showa Supreme'

Showy Evening Primrose

Oenothera speciosa

Shrimp Plant

Justicia brandegeeana

Gliricidia and Sesbania (Nitrogen-fixing Shrubs)

Gliricidia sepium and Sesbania species

Shrubs

Various species (Woody plants, generally 3-15 feet tall)

Landscape Border Shrubs and Trees

Various species (Ligustrum, Ilex, Thuja, Taxus, Prunus, etc.)

Siam Queen Basil

Ocimum basilicum 'Siam Queen'

Siam Tulip

Curcuma alismatifolia

Sicilian Green

Ocimum basilicum var. basilicum

Sierra Blue

Salvia clevelandii 'Sierra Blue'