The term is also widely used in plant growing shade tolerance- it means the ability of cultivated plants to tolerate reduced illumination in general, or in comparison with illumination in natural habitat conditions. Shade tolerance is a relative term, its correct understanding depends largely on the context. When comparing different woody plants, “shade tolerance” will have the same meaning, but when comparing shade-tolerant trees with shade-tolerant shrubs or herbaceous plants, “shade tolerance” can mean completely different light levels. Shade tolerance is a rather complex, multifaceted property of plants, depending on many factors, including how much various types adaptation to shading is developed. Plants of the same species grown in different conditions can show varying degrees of shade tolerance: it is influenced by soil fertility, water availability and other abiotic factors.

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✪ Shady garden. Plants for a shady garden. Shade and partial shade. Part 1

✪ Shady garden. Plants for a shady garden. Part 2

✪ Ornamental plants for landscape #urozhainye_gryadki

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Hello. Today we will try to understand one of the most popular questions that has not lost its relevance over the years: “What will grow in the shade?” However, it would be wrong to simply say: “You have a shadow?! Then hosta or yew will suit you.” It’s impossible, because shadow and partial shade can also be different. Let's then start by defining what shadow and penumbra are, and what they are. Shade for plants is a place where less than 3 hours sunlight every day. This does not mean that there is no sun at all. Plant life without sunlight is almost impossible. It’s not for nothing that Temiryazev called the plants “Children of Light.” Penumbra can be divided into two types: Partial sun and diffuse shade. Partial sun 4-6 hours a day in the morning or evening. Moreover, some plants prefer morning sun, while others prefer evening sun. And, of course, the vast majority prefer the morning. Diffused shadow is when the sun breaks through the branches of deciduous trees and shrubs. We seem to have sorted this out, let's move on..... A garden in the shade can be just as beautiful and varied as in the sun. You just need to take into account some features. There are plants that will never grow in the shade under any circumstances. These are true children of the sun; in the shade, their shoots unnaturally elongate and weaken, and over time the plants die. Such plants include: acacia, larch, pine, all alpine plants and sunflower. But most plants have adapted quite well. They are a transitional form between sun-loving and shade-tolerant. Their group is quite large. Let's go in order. ... Let's start with early spring. The snow has just melted, nature is just waking up... This is the time for small bulbous plants, they will become the decoration of your garden. Scylla or scilla, muscari, chionodoxa, galanthus, birdwort, and, of course, crocuses, bloom before the leaves bloom on trees and shrubs. It is thanks to this that they can grow in shady places, since what appears to be shade in summer, winter and spring is not always shade. Remember what Anemone looks like in our forests - entire clearings covered with a delicate white cloud of flowers. The same is with crocuses, muscari or other small-bulbous plants - these plants do not look good alone, but are good in masses. Have you seen crocuses on the lawn or tree trunk circles ? What could be more beautiful? Moreover, these plants do not require much care from you. Small-bulbous plants, unlike tulips, do not need to be dug up annually. Next comes the time of large-bulbous ones. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, hazel grouse, of course, love the sun. However, under the canopy of deciduous trees they also bloom, a little later than in sunny areas, but for a longer time. It makes sense to do mixed plantings with perennial flowers so that when the tulips fade, the place does not look sloppy. And I could have calmly let the onion ripen, and I didn’t want to pull it out. What about perennials? Perennials growing in the shade typically have large, dark green leaves. This is understandable, there is little sunlight, and this trick is necessary for plants to live in areas with insufficient lighting. The generally recognized queen of the shady garden was and remains Khosta. Today there are about 6 thousand varieties. Hostas vary in size and leaf color. Depending on your idea, the site can be decorated with either a miniature Mouse Ear or a giant Dino variety. Just from hostas alone you can make a cozy shady garden, where it will be pleasant to be on a stuffy, hot summer day (or listen to the dull blows of raindrops on the leaves of these beauties). However, let me remind you that despite the fact that the hosta prefers shady areas, it will not grow in full shade, or rather it will, but its appearance will be very unpresentable. Heuchera and tiarella will behave the same way, despite the fact that they are considered plants for shady areas. But if we have almost complete shade and the sun never shines, then ferns will come to our aid. Recently, selection has not stood still, and there are a huge number of varieties on the market, differing in both size and color. There are varieties with almost white leaves, they will brighten your area. You can also pay attention to the beauties growing in the nearest forest. Bergenia, Periwinkle, astilbe, aquilegia, primrose, lungwort, brunera, pachysandra, all these are perennials for shady areas, and this is just a small part of what tolerates a lack of sun. In general, there is no need to be afraid of shady areas; as a rule, if you take everything into account, they turn out to be very pleasant. Yes, no, that riot of colors and shades, like sun-loving plants. The result is a calm color scheme, and you are unlikely to be able to slip into a gypsy scarf or grandma’s garden bed. The only thing that when developing an assortment and choosing plants, you must remember that you are making a composition, not an exhibition area. It happens that when choosing plants in Garden Center your eyes widen and you end up with 20 completely different plants. Let there be fewer in the number of species, but more in the number of plants themselves. It’s a win-win when perennials are planted in large strokes, and maintenance is much easier. Do not forget about the following: – shade-loving plants need fertile soil. This is very often forgotten. And as a result, the plant is deprived of both light and nutrition... And we also demand from them an attractive appearance and flowering. - as a rule, perennials of shady areas are water feeders. They like moist soil. Wet, not a swamp! And we remind you for the thousandth time that a lot depends on whether the root system of plants breathes or not. Therefore, make sure that the soil is not too dense. When planting, mix fertile soil with sand, and after planting, mulch it, this will avoid severe compaction of the soil. In spring it is necessary to loosen the soil around the plants. If you use light-colored material as mulch, then the plants, due to the reflection of light, will receive additional illumination compared to plants growing without mulch at all or mulched with pine bark. In our case, in shady places You can use marble chips, white pebbles or sand. I like the last two materials.

Basic provisions

All but a few species require sunlight to survive. However, in quantitative terms, high intensity lighting does not always contribute to the normal development of plants. With a lack of water in the soil and moisture in the atmosphere, it is easier for plants to exist in shaded habitats than in open sun.

Plants absorb light energy mainly from the violet-blue and partly red zones of the spectral range of visible light. Light radiation in the red range is mostly absorbed by light-loving plants that form the upper tiers of forests, but radiation close to infrared penetrates through the foliage to the plants that form the lower tiers. The shade-tolerant plants living here are capable of absorbing light from the extreme red zone of the spectrum (with a wavelength of 730 nm).

However, less light means less energy is available to plants. Just as in sunny, dry environments the limiting factor in plant growth and survival is a lack of moisture, in shady habitats the limiting factor is usually a lack of solar energy.

Plant uptake nutrients often differs between those living in the shade and in a sunny place. Shading usually comes from trees that form the upper layers of forests. This causes differences in soils, which in forests are regularly enriched with nutrients due to the decomposition products of discarded leaves. Compared to forest soils, soils in sunny habitats of the same climatic zone are usually poorer. Compared to light-loving plants, shade-tolerant plants are better adapted for greater absorption of nutrients; and shade tolerance as such depends to some extent on soil fertility.

Features of the morphology and physiology of shade-tolerant plants

Shade-tolerant plants are characterized by a relatively low rate of photosynthesis. Their leaves differ from the leaves of heliophytes in a number of important anatomical and morphological characteristics. In sheet shade-tolerant plants Columnar and spongy parenchyma are usually poorly differentiated; characterized by increased intercellular spaces. The epidermis is quite thin, single-layered; epidermal cells may contain chloroplasts (which is never found in heliophytes). The cuticle is usually thin. Stomata are usually located on both sides of the leaf with a slight predominance on the reverse side (in light-loving plants, as a rule, there are no stomata on the front side or are located predominantly on the reverse side). Compared to heliophytes, shade-tolerant plants have a significantly lower content of chloroplasts in leaf cells - on average from 10 to 40 per cell; the total surface of the leaf chloroplasts does not significantly exceed its area (2-6 times; whereas in heliophytes the excess is tens of times).

Some shade-tolerant plants are characterized by the formation of anthocyanin in cells when growing in bright sun, which gives a reddish or brownish color to the leaves and stems, which is uncharacteristic in natural habitat conditions. In others, when growing under direct sunlight a paler color of the leaves is noted.

The appearance of shade-tolerant plants also differs from light-loving ones. Shade-tolerant plants typically have wider, thinner, softer leaves to capture more indirect sunlight. They are usually flat and smooth in shape (whereas heliophytes often have folded and tuberculated leaves). Characterized by a horizontal arrangement of foliage (in heliophytes, leaves are often located at an angle to the light) and leaf mosaic. Forest herbs are usually elongated, tall, and have an elongated stem.

Many shade-tolerant plants have high plasticity of their anatomical structure depending on the light level (primarily this concerns the structure of the leaves). For example, in beech, lilac, and oak, leaves formed in the shade usually have significant anatomical differences from leaves grown in bright sunlight. The latter in their structure resemble the leaves of heliophytes (such leaves are defined as “light”, as opposed to “shadow”).

Non-woody shade-tolerant plants

Although most plants grow towards the light (see phototropism), many shade-tolerant tropical vines (for example, Monstera and many species of the genus Philodendron) initially, after germination, move away from the light. This helps them locate the tree trunk that serves as their support, and onto which they climb as they grow, reaching areas of brighter light.

Shade-tolerant trees

In forests where precipitation is sufficient and water is not a limiting factor for growth, shade tolerance is one of the determining factors characterizing various woody species. However different types trees show different adaptations to shading. For example, hemlock, one of the characteristic shade-tolerant plants native to North America, is able to germinate and fully develop under a completely closed forest canopy. Sugar maple is also classified as a characteristic shade-tolerant tree; it also germinates under a closed canopy and can develop well as an inhabitant of the understory, but unlike Canadian hemlock, it reaches full size and development only when open space is formed above it. Shade-intolerant trees - heliophytes, such as willow, aspen, birch - cannot develop as plants of the lower tier of the forest. They prefer open habitats with plenty of light: they often grow in wetlands, along rivers and lakes, or in former burned areas. Shade-tolerant trees of temperate climates, compared to light-loving trees, usually have greater resistance to low daytime temperatures during the growing season.

Shade-tolerant plants in crop production

Agricultural plants

The vast majority of agricultural crops are light-loving plants, therefore agricultural land for crop production is developed mainly in open spaces (fields, orchards), and in hilly areas, primarily the southern slopes are cultivated.

However, some common vegetable crops are shade-tolerant. Examples of these are cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, asparagus, rhubarb, sorrel. Moreover, agricultural technology for some of them provides for a certain dosage of light to obtain high-quality vegetables (from excessive exposure to direct sunlight, lettuce leaves and cucumber fruits acquire a bitter taste).

Shade-tolerant plants include some root vegetables (radish, turnip) and herbs (parsley, lemon balm, mint). The common cherry is relatively shade-tolerant (one of the few shade-tolerant fruit trees); some are shade tolerant

Light-loving plants - heliophytes, plants growing on open places and cannot tolerate prolonged shading; for normal growth they need intense solar or artificial radiation. Adult heliophytes, as a rule, are more light-loving than young specimens.

Light-loving plants include both herbaceous (great plantain, water lily, etc.) and woody (larch, acacia, etc.) plants, early spring plants - steppes and semi-deserts, and cultivated plants - corn, sorghum, sugar cane etc. Tree or shrub heliophytes usually form sparse plantings.

The leaves are equilateral, narrow, shiny; shoots are short; there are hairs.

Adaptation to intense light is ensured by the peculiarities of the morphology and physiology of light-loving plants. They usually have rather thick leaves with small-celled columnar and spongy parenchyma and a large number of stomata, often located at a large angle to the light (sometimes almost vertically); the leaf is shiny (due to the developed cuticle) or pubescent.

In light-loving plants, the skin does not contain chlorophyll, and the stomata are located on the lower surface of the leaf. Pelargonium (geranium), violet and a number of other plants have hairs that diffuse bright direct light, thereby protecting the leaves from overheating. In the cells of light leaves there are many small chloroplasts located along the walls - this explains the color of the leaves.

In light-loving plants, lignification of shoots with the formation of thorns and thorns is much more common (compared to shade-loving ones). Characterized by a large number of stomata, which are concentrated mainly on the underside of the leaf; The multilayered palisade parenchyma consists of small cells. Compared to shade-loving plants, heliophytes have a significantly higher content of chloroplasts in leaf cells - from 50 to 300 per cell; the total surface of leaf chloroplasts is tens of times greater than its area. Due to this, a high intensity of photosynthesis is ensured - distinguishing feature heliophytes. Another morphological difference from shade-loving plants is the greater chlorophyll content per unit area and the less per unit leaf mass.

Light-loving plants (heliophytes) often have shoots with shortened internodes, highly branched, and often rosette-shaped. The leaves of heliophytes are usually small or with a dissected leaf blade, with a thick outer wall of epidermal cells, often with a waxy coating or dense pubescence, with a large number of stomata per unit area, often submerged, with a dense network of veins, with well-developed mechanical tissues. A number of plants have photometric leaves, that is, they are turned with their edges towards the midday rays or can change the position of their parts depending on the height of the Sun. Yes, y steppe plant Sophora, the leaves of the odd pinnate leaf are raised up and folded on a hot day; in Russian cornflower, the segments of the pinnate leaf behave in the same way.

The optical apparatus of heliophytes is better developed than that of sciophytes, has a larger photoactive surface and is adapted to more complete absorption of light. Typically, their leaves are thicker, the epidermal and mesophyll cells are smaller, the palisade parenchyma is two-layered or multilayered (in some savannah plants of West Africa - up to 10 layers), often developed under the upper and lower epidermis. Small chloroplasts with a well-developed granal structure in large number(up to 200 or more) are located along the longitudinal walls.

There is less chlorophyll per dry weight in the leaves of heliophytes, but they contain more pigments of the I pigment system and chlorophyll P700. The ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b is approximately 5: 1. Hence the high photosynthetic capacity of heliophytes. The compensation point lies in the area of ​​higher illumination. The rate of photosynthesis reaches its maximum in full sunlight. In a special group of plants - heliophytes, in which CO2 fixation occurs through C4-dicarboxylic acids, light saturation of photosynthesis is not achieved even under the strongest illumination. These are plants from arid regions (deserts, savannas). There are especially many C4 plants among the families of Poa, Sedge, Aizaceae, Purslanaceae, Amaranthaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Cloveaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. They are capable of secondary fixation and recycling of CO2 released during light respiration, and can photosynthesize at high temperatures and with closed stomata, which is often observed during the hottest hours of the day.

Shade-tolerant plants - plants (woody, many herbaceous under the canopy hardwood, greenhouses, etc.), tolerating some shading, but developing well in direct sunlight. With age, as well as in high latitudes, mountains, and drier climates, shade tolerance decreases. A row of plants under the forest canopy (for example, hoofweed, gooseberry, etc.) early spring, before the leaves of the tree layer bloom, are physiologically light-loving, and in the summer, when the canopy is closed, they are shade-tolerant. Physiologically, shade-tolerant plants are characterized by a relatively low intensity of photosynthesis.

Shade-tolerant plants (sciophytes) - are constantly found in conditions of heavy shading. At 0.1–0.2% illumination, only mosses and selyaginella can grow. Mosses are content with 0.25-0.5% of total daylight, and flowering plants are usually found where illumination on cloudy days reaches at least 0.5-1% (begonias, impatiens, herbs from the ginger, madder, and commelinaceae families).

The leaves of shade-tolerant plants have a number of anatomical and morphological features: the columnar and spongy parenchyma are poorly differentiated, characterized by increased intercellular spaces - the cells contain a small number (10-40) of chloroplasts, the surface size of which ranges from 2-6 cm 2 per 1 cm 2 of leaf area . The epidermis is quite thin, single-layered; epidermal cells may contain chloroplasts (which is never found in heliophytes). The cuticle is usually thin. Stomata are usually located on both sides of the leaf with a slight predominance on the reverse side (in light-loving plants, as a rule, there are no stomata on the front side or are located predominantly on the reverse side). Compared to heliophytes, shade-tolerant plants have a significantly lower content of chloroplasts in leaf cells - on average from 10 to 40 per cell; the total surface of the leaf chloroplasts does not significantly exceed its area (2-6 times; whereas in heliophytes the excess is tens of times). Some shade-tolerant plants are characterized by the formation of anthocyanin in cells when growing in bright sun, which gives a reddish or brownish color to the leaves and stems, which is uncharacteristic in natural habitat conditions. Others have paler leaves when grown in direct sunlight. The leaves of shade-tolerant plants are thin, the cells and chloroplasts in them are large.

In northern broad-leaved and dark-coniferous forests, the canopy of a closed tree stand can transmit only 1–2% of PAR, changing its spectral composition. Blue and red rays are absorbed most strongly, and relatively more yellow-green rays, far red and infrared rays are transmitted. Low illumination is combined with high air humidity and high CO2 content, especially near the soil surface. The sciophytes of these forests are green mosses, mosses, common wood sorrel, wintergreens, bifolia, etc.

Sciophytes have less chlorophyll P700 compared to heliophytes. The ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b is approximately 3: 2. Such reactions occur with less intensity. physiological processes like transpiration, respiration. The intensity of photosynthesis, having quickly reached a maximum, ceases to increase with increasing illumination, and in very bright light it may even decrease.

In deciduous shade-tolerant tree species and shrubs (pedunculated oak, cordate linden, common lilac, etc.), the leaves located along the periphery of the crown have a structure similar to the structure of heliophyte leaves and are called light leaves, and in the depths of the crown - shadow leaves with a shadow structure , similar to the structure of sciophyte leaves.

The appearance of shade-tolerant plants also differs from light-loving ones. Shade-tolerant plants typically have wider, thinner and softer leaves to capture more indirect sunlight. They are usually flat and smooth in shape (whereas heliophytes often have folded and tuberculated leaves). Characterized by a horizontal arrangement of foliage (in heliophytes, leaves are often located at an angle to the light) and a leaf mosaic. Forest herbs are usually elongated, tall, and have an elongated stem.

Many shade-tolerant plants have high plasticity of their anatomical structure depending on the light level (primarily this concerns the structure of the leaves). For example, in beech, lilac, and oak, leaves formed in the shade usually have significant anatomical differences from leaves grown in bright sunlight. The latter in their structure resemble the leaves of heliophytes (such leaves are defined as “light”, as opposed to “shadow”).

Changes in the attitude of plants to light

Facultative heliophytes, or shade-tolerant plants, depending on the degree of shade tolerance, have adaptive features that bring them closer to heliophytes or sciophytes. This group includes some meadow plants, forest grasses and shrubs that grow in shaded areas of the forest and in forest clearings, edges, and clearings. In bright areas they often grow more strongly, but their optimal use of PAR does not occur in full sunlight.

In trees and shrubs, the shadow or light structure of the leaf is often determined by the lighting conditions of the previous year, when the buds are laid: if the buds are laid in the light, then the light structure is formed, and vice versa.

If the light regime regularly changes periodically in the same habitat, plants in different seasons They can manifest themselves either as light-loving or shade-tolerant.

In spring, 50–60% of solar radiation penetrates under the forest canopy in oak forests. The leaves of the rosette shoots of the common tree have a light structure and are characterized by a high intensity of photosynthesis. At this time, they create the bulk of the organic matter of the annual production. The leaves of the summer generation, which appear when the tree canopy is developed, under which an average of 3.5% of solar radiation penetrates, have a typical shadow structure, and their intensity of photosynthesis is much lower, 10–20 times. Hairy sedge, light-loving in spring and shade-tolerant in summer, also exhibits a similar duality in relation to light. Apparently, this is also characteristic of other oak forest broadgrass plants.

The attitude towards the light regime changes in plants and during ontogenesis. Seedlings and juvenile plants of many meadow species and tree species are more shade-tolerant than adult plants.

Sometimes plants' requirements for light conditions change when they find themselves in different climatic and edaphic conditions. Thus, ordinary shade-tolerant plants of coniferous forests - blueberries, European sedum and some others - in the tundra acquire the characteristics of heliophytes.



If you are, then shadows will definitely appear on it. Residential and outbuildings, trees and large bushes will create zones with complete or partial absence direct hit Sveta. Most common light-loving plants will not be able to survive in such places, as a result of which the dacha may have a somewhat deserted appearance. This article will talk about those plant crops that will help you solve this problem.

Dahlias - perennial shade-loving flowers for the garden

General provisions

First of all, let's draw a dividing line between plant species according to their dependence on sunlight, in order to avoid possible confusion in the future:

Separation according to photophilousness

Advice: before purchasing, be sure to check with the seller which specific group the flora representative you are purchasing belongs to, since incorrect placement on your site will deprive it of the opportunity for full development.

Shadow Control

In addition to choosing plants with different needs for sunlight, you can also optimally plan the placement of shady areas. To do this, just adhere to the following rules:

Tip: if you need to identify dark places in an already planted garden, it is convenient to do this in the spring when the snow melts. Where it lasts the longest, you can safely plant shade-loving crops with your own hands.

Species and representatives

The crops in question have many variations:

Shrubs

There are several common summer cottages representatives of bush vegetation that thrive even with limited light:

1. Rhododendron. They can do without the sun at all, but then they won’t bloom, so it’s better to choose partial shade for them.

1. Hydrangea. Its delicate buds will decorate any dark area.

1. Kalina. Not only is it unpretentious, it is also useful.

1. Elderberry. It is also famous for its medicinal properties.

1. Ivy. The price of such a plant is minimal, but the possibilities with the right approach colossal.

1. Clematis. Also applies to climbing species and can become a decoration for anyone.

Flowers and ornamental vegetation

1. Perennials include the largest number of representatives of shade lovers.

Here are some of them:

• Badan. It is capable of developing normally in growth even in the complete absence of light; only its flowering can suffer.

• Hosta. Not only is he not afraid of the shadow, but he also adores it. The only important thing is that the soil is sufficiently moist.

• Aconite. Twilight and moisture are all it needs for full growth.

• Brunner. An unpretentious and fast-growing plant. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't grow too big.

1. Biennials:

• "Pansies" will delight you with their continuous flowering from spring to autumn.

• Digitalis. When growing it, it is very important that the agricultural technology instructions are strictly followed.

• Forget-me-not. Allows you to create an aesthetic carpet even in the darkest place.

Anyone who has even a little experience with floriculture knows: one of the main reasons why plants have difficulty taking root in apartments is an acute lack of light. Even on the windowsills of bright, southern windows, the amount of light is tens of times less than on the street. What can we say about the more shaded areas of the house! Already at a distance of about a meter from the window, the flow of light is significantly less than on the windowsill. That is why shade-tolerant plants have always been in special demand among nature lovers. indoor plants.

They have become especially popular in recent decades, as the layout and design of premises become more diverse and non-traditional. The number of residential and office premises with a large area is increasing, which you always want to “revive” with at least one large plant that can survive and look good away from windows, in the shade.

What is a shadow

This simple children's question is not so simple when it comes to floriculture. After all, the concepts of “shadow” and “penumbra” are very relative and subjective. For example, the window sill of a north window will already be a shadow for a plant; light-loving specimens will not grow here. If you go further, into the depths of the room, then at a distance of a meter or three meters from the window, the flow of light will differ by a factor of 10, although the human eye practically does not detect this difference.

There is a simple and time-tested technique developed by flower growers. If you, having good eyesight, are able to read newspaper text in this place at noon, then you can place shade-tolerant specimens here. If the newspaper is difficult to read, the place is too dark even for hardy plants. Yes, you can keep a flower pot here, but additional lighting will be required, especially in autumn-winter. And this is a completely different topic for conversation.

Groups of shade-tolerant plants

Usually shade-tolerant flowers are those that in natural, natural conditions, are accustomed to living in partial shade. This could be the lower floor of the forest, thick grass, deep gorges - all places where direct sunlight rarely reaches. Breeders and gardeners used natural property of such species, they developed it by breeding varieties and hybrids in which the ability to live with a lack of light is specially enhanced. And, to the delight of amateur gardeners, there were quite a few similar plants! They can be divided into several popular groups:

1. Shade-tolerant indoor plants that can bloom beautifully.
2. Decorative deciduous shade-tolerant indoor plants.
3. Lianas, climbing, and shade-tolerant species.
4. Large specimens and palms that can grow in the shade.

Now we will look at popular shade-tolerant indoor plants, their names and descriptions, separately for each of the selected groups.

Blooming shade-tolerant houseplants

Unfortunately, there are fewer of them. Still, plants need more light to bloom; very few are able not only to stoically endure the twilight, but also to delight the world with their flowers. As a rule, these species do not bloom in the depths of the room: either on the northern windowsill, or very close to the windows. That is, their destiny is the “light zone” of penumbra.

Saintpaulia

Everyone knows the Uzambara violet. It can bloom successfully on north-facing window sills, on a table near the window, and in other similar places. An easy to care for, popular plant that requires normal room temperature and regular watering.

Begonia

Also a well-known, common plant. There are a huge number of its varieties blooming with beautiful, large flowers. Begonia can be safely called an unpretentious species.

Spathiphyllum

Able to look great and bloom on a northern windowsill. Its white flowers look great against the background of dark green elongated leaves. A little more capricious than previous types, it requires regular spraying or increased air humidity.

Vriesia

One of the representatives of bromeliads. In nature, it grows in the shade of trees, so it can withstand lack of light. During flowering, bright flower “arrows” grow from the rosette of leaves and live for quite a long time. Requires slightly higher air humidity and regular watering. It is important that there is always water left inside the leaf rosette. In addition to Vriesea, a number of other bromeliads can bloom on northern windows.

Clivia

Its inflorescence, similar to an umbrella attached to a powerful peduncle, can surprise with its beauty. At proper care flowering will occur even with a clear lack of light, and the plant has beautiful not only flowers, but also a powerful foliage rosette. Fertile soil and regular watering is all that is required from the owner.

Streptocarpus

It can bloom for months, pleasing the eye with graceful bell flowers. Like Saintpaulia, it belongs to the Gesneriaceae, it is easily propagated, hundreds of its varieties have been bred. It is rightly considered easy to care for, requiring only high air humidity.

Miltonia

This orchid is also called " pansies" A relatively easy-to-care plant that blooms regularly even on northern windowsills. The main difficulty is to stand near the flower high humidity. A small, compact humidifier is best for this. Loves warmth and does not tolerate drafts.

It should be added that not only miltonia is a shade-tolerant orchid. Even many varieties of well-known phalaenopsis will bloom successfully on a north window.

Decorative deciduous shade-tolerant plants

There are many more of them than blooming ones. And this is understandable, because it is much easier for a plant to simply grow foliage than to lay flower buds and develop flowers. This group is valued for its beautiful leaves and attractive crown. They are able to live away from windows, and among them, as a rule, are the most shade-tolerant of indoor plants.

Chlorophytum crested

One of the most persistent shade-tolerant home plants, a regular in kitchens, offices and utility rooms. Tolerates everything: deep shade, temperature changes, irregular watering. It can even survive on some shelf in the back of the room. The main thing is to grow it in this place from the very beginning, “from childhood.” Cute, varieties have been created with various shapes leaves with variegated colors.

Sansevieria

The famous "pike tail". In terms of unpretentiousness and shade tolerance, I can compete with chlorophytum. The plant is so flexible that it can live both in deep shade and in bright sun. Varieties with variegated leaf color have been bred, but in the shade the brightness of the pattern fades.

Attention! This is important for all ornamental shade-tolerant plants. If their leaves have a variegated color, multi-colored spots and stains, this pattern does not stand out so brightly in shaded areas, often completely disappearing. By increasing the illumination, the variegation can be increased again, but this will take a lot of time.

Japanese aucuba

For its noticeable golden spots on the leaves it received the beautiful nickname “golden tree”. At good care grows into a one and a half meter tree that lives for many years. The shade-tolerant indoor plant is moderate in all its requirements and lends itself well to pruning and shaping. If possible, provide it with slightly increased air humidity.

Maranta

This small, shade-tolerant plant fits perfectly on a kitchen shelf or on a table in the back of the office. Beautiful leaves with variegated veins do not lose their expressiveness even in deep shade. True, this bush will require regular watering, spraying, and generally high humidity.

Aspidistra

The plant is resistant in all respects, which is why it is called the “iron lady”. The leaves seem to be strewn with silvery powder, but if you plan to “drive” your pet into dense shade, it is better to immediately take varieties with green foliage - white drawing gradually disappears in the shadows. However, there are still beautiful green leaves, reminiscent of lily of the valley leaves! This species requires a cool winter.

Multi-row sickle-shaped

Representative of ferns. There is an opinion that ferns are shade-tolerant indoor plants, but this is not always true. But in the case of this plant - quite! The main difficulty in its maintenance is the plant’s love of coolness: in summer it requires 18-20ºС, in winter - about +10°С. But remember how many cold rooms we have that could be decorated with this fern!

In addition to multi-row ferns, shade-tolerant and popular ferns are considered nephrolepsis And maidenhair. As a rule, they still prefer to “get closer” to at least the northern window, and they also need to be regularly sprayed and the surrounding air moistened.

Aglaonema variable

The color of the leaves of this species from the araceae family can compete with the buds of many flowers. And the shape of the leaves can be very diverse. Can grow in deep shade and is generally considered an unpretentious species. Perhaps you should still pay attention to the increase in air humidity. Dense bushes can range in size from 30 to 60 cm and look very decorative.

Shade-tolerant vines and climbing plants

They are grown in hanging pots, baskets, and used to decorate walls and corners, high stands and supports. Sometimes liana-like shade-tolerant indoor plants are used to hide interior details and decorate empty corner rooms.

Epipremnum (aka scindapsus)

Indoor vine, one of the most popular house plants. It grows quickly, the lashes reach several meters in length. Very unpretentious appearance, flexible, adaptable to any conditions. Several species and many varieties are cultivated: both with completely green and variegated leaves. Leaf sizes also vary greatly.

Indoor ivy (Hedera).

Fast-growing lashes descend from hanging planter, forming a kind of “green waterfall”. However, there are varieties with variegated leaves; they are more light-loving. A persistent shade-tolerant plant that is not afraid of temperature changes or irregular watering. Perfectly decorate high angle room or section of wall.

Monstera

Known to many flower growers. There are species with huge leaves, and there are more miniature ones. But in any case, the openwork leaves of Monstera are always a pleasant pleasure to the eye. It grows well both in height and horizontally, obeying the support. Loves high humidity, but adapts to dry air.

Tradescantia

The once incredibly popular shade-tolerant indoor plants are now a little out of fashion, but in vain! Many types of Tradescantia have variegated foliage that looks great in elegant planters. And how unpretentious this plant is! It just needs to be watered on time. Tradescantia is often used as ground cover plant, but it perfectly fulfills the role of a hanging one.

Tetrastigma

It is popularly known as “indoor grapes”. The leaves are large, reminiscent of chestnut. She is characterized by a special elegance of appearance, but this beauty requires appropriate “stages”. The liana grows quickly and powerfully, is capable of weaving an entire wall, so it is more appropriate in large offices and halls with high ceilings. Can also be used in an ordinary living room where there is a lot of free space.

Palm and large-sized

Their self-sufficiency and ability to look appropriate in splendid isolation do not leave you indifferent! Decorators and designers adore them, using plants to decorate interior spaces.

Ficus rubbery

An ancient popular plant with large, expressive leaves. Very undemanding, can grow away from windows. Just don’t forget about timely watering and periodically wiping the leaf plate from dust.

Dracaena

Its appearance resembles a palm tree (many consider it a palm tree). Loves moisture, both in the soil and in the air. It still prefers not the densest shade; it grows well near windows.

Fatshedera

Appeared in our apartments relatively recently. Hybrid of fatsia and ivy. It can quickly form a green “pyramid” in a bright corridor, reminiscent of a clothes hanger. Loves plenty of fresh air.

Hamedorea

One of the shade-tolerant palm trees (of which, by the way, there are very few). Like all palm trees, it attracts with the delicacy of its leaves. Quite a demanding plant that loves humid air, regular spraying and high-quality watering. Looks great if big pot plant several specimens at once.

Rapis

Any plant that grows on open area under the abundant sun and does not experience, let’s say, discomfort from that, but on the contrary, needs such conditions, is a heliophyte. an example of which will be discussed below, have their own distinctive features.

What is characteristic of heliophytes?

The leaves of light-loving plants have their own characteristics and are easy to notice. Namely:

• the thickness of the leaves of such plants is most often greater than that of others that are not so susceptible to light;
• the angle between the leaves and the direction of incidence of the sun's rays is large, reaching up to ninety degrees.

Also, light-loving plants (for example, birch, and in hotter latitudes, cactus) contain a huge number of chloroplasts in their leaves: there can be from fifty to three hundred of them per cell, due to which there is a high intensity of photosynthesis. This is the most characteristic physiological trait of plants with high sun requirements. With this characteristic of light-loving plants, let’s look at a few more questions.

What happens if you deprive a heliophyte of solar energy?

With low doses of lighting, the plant develops symptoms such as depression, and a delay in its development is also observed. And the older the plant, the higher its need for sun.

Where do heliophytes grow?

Listing the characteristics of light-loving plants should begin with parameters such as location and nature of growth. What exactly are we talking about? Heliophytes can grow both in conditions of intense solar radiation and in some shaded areas. Prolonged blackouts, as mentioned above, will have a detrimental effect on them. Heliophytes, which are classified as shrubs or trees, usually grow as sparse plantings in order to have access to the sun at any time of the day.

What types of light-loving plants are there?

An example of heliophytes can be cited from any type of plant, be it trees, bushes, grasses, or representatives of flora growing in water. Let's look at what heliophytes are found in our latitudes.

1. Trees. These include: birch, linden, mountain), ash, apple, juniper, oak (common, English), quince, aspen, etc.
2. Shrubs. These include lilac, rose, sour thorn, jasmine, some, etc.
3. Herbal and cereals. These are tomato, water lily, plantain, corn, lingonberry, heather, etc.

Those who like to grow flowers at home need to take into account data on the light sensitivity of the flower that will grow in a pot on the windowsill. Before purchasing a certain plant, it is worth knowing all its characteristics so that it can live in your apartment without any problems. Returning to the current topic, we can give several examples of light-loving indoor plants.

1. In many homes you can find a flower such as begonia. It is a light-loving plant, but it is still better not to place it under direct scorching rays from May to September.
2. Kalanchoe also loves light, but not direct rays, which can cause burns on the leaves.
3. Monsteras, sansevierias and dracaenas will do well under bright, diffused rays or in partial shade.
4. Phalaenopsis is a type of orchid that loves light, but not heat, so it is good to place them on an eastern window.
5. Fuchsias are not averse to bathing in the sun in the morning or in the afternoon.
6. Cyclamen also benefit from bright lighting, but it is advisable to place them under direct rays only in winter period. The same conditions need to be created for violets. As they shrink, you can move them slightly closer to the window from a distance of about 2-3 meters during the hottest period.

Adaptation of heliophytes to unfavorable conditions

Not always environment protects light-loving plants. An example of how a cherry tree disappears and does not bear fruit if it is in the shade will be familiar to many people who are at least a little involved in gardening. But first, the plant will do everything it can to get more light. This is mainly expressed in the increased surface area of ​​​​the sheets and a deeper green tint, because it is known that dark colors absorb more energy from the sun's rays. Also, for the same purpose, the stems of plants are stretched, but at the same time they become more fragile, and the trees grow taller or can change their shape in order to receive more light.