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Cacti & Succulents

Sux That Thrive in Less Than Full Sun?

16 years ago

ZZ Plants, Sansevierias, Haworthias, Gasterias, Rhipsalis, Holiday Cacti, Kalanchoes....

Are there any other plants that can do well in less than full sun? I can give lots of bright light. I have the plants listed above and they're doing really well. I have eastern facing windows that are a pretty good size. Are there any other sux that anyone can recommend. Could I get away with baby toes?

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Comments (5)

xerophyte NYC
16 years ago
baby toes no

try some adromischus, aloe, faucaria, anacampseros, many euphorbia for starters - that should keep you busy enough

sanseverias might be the most shade tolerant plant on earth - I think they can be found growing near the entrances of caves in India
dufflebag2002
16 years ago
Some of the following, Sedum, Crassula, Sanseverias, most. Hoya, I'll think of a few more. Cycads, some Aeoniums, Haworthia, Gasteria. This group of friends will come up with many more. There will be one or two in each species at least. Norma
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These are great suggestions, thank you! I think I will try at least one. Why not, since they are free and I'm not in dire need of them elsewhere. Yes, the apple tree roots make life tough for plants in this area. Digging is not so hard, but it sure does look like the life is sucked out of some of the residents. I have soaker hoses in there and I keep it moist, but things are still not happy. I'm trying an experiment with a few plants. I'm planting them in a generously-sized pot, then nesting that pot inside another of the same size, but with a piece of screen in between. I'm figuring that the screen will limit tree roots coming up into the pot, and with two pots I can take out the upper pot from time to time and break off any roots that have come in. I love the plant suggestions. A few were on my list (astrantia, geranium, dicentra 'Luxuriant') but now you've given me several more to think about. Thank you! The spot is currently populated by volunteer columbine and lupine and looks stunning in the spring. But by late summer it's dreary. It's especially dreary now, since I took out all the plants that were too eaten and too shady. So, it's pretty much a blank slate now. Photo: Thanks again! Further ideas are totally welcome!
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dufflebag2002
16 years ago
My Huintington Gardens grow all of their plants with about 60% shade cloth. During the winter only 30% shade cloth. So most plants seem to grow better with less than full sun. Some we even put under our benches, to keep them cooler, and give them more shade. Most Semps. some Kalanchoe, Cerpegia, Dischida, Rhipsalis and related plants, Epiphyllum, Orchids. Well now I know you have enough choices. Some of these plants need more humidity than others, and most will not tolerate peat moss so use Redwood bark or decayed Oak mulch instead. Norma
amany
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Your lists help me a great deal. Both of you are right, it's more than enough to get me started!

I was especially glad to know about the hoyas, sedums and euphorbias. I love those. You also listed some that I'd never heard of, and that's always a good thing.

I appreciate your help.
Amanda
shrubs_n_bulbs
16 years ago
I think Michigan full sun is already equivalent to 60% shade cloth in LA :)

Baby's Toes. Fenestraria. Certainly a full sun plant in habitat but in the summer it will more often than not retreat completely underground. I suspect you can grow it in your east window but you will have to be especially gentle with watering so it doesn't stretch all out of shape.

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