This guide highlights stunning annuals that thrive in partial sun, ensuring your garden is alive with color and energy throughout the growing season.

Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)

The Purple Heart plant is a stunning, vibrant annual that captivates with its striking deep purple foliage and dainty pink flowers. Growing up to 18 inches tall, this resilient plant thrives in partial sun, making it a versatile choice for borders or containers. Besides its aesthetic appeal, Purple Heart adapts well to various soil types, provided they drain well. Its unique color can serve as an exquisite contrast against lighter blooms, creating a striking visual effect.

Regular pruning can encourage bushier growth and more blooms, making it a fun addition to your gardening routine. As a bonus, this hardy plant is relatively drought-tolerant once established. For the best results, pair Purple Heart with lighter-hued flowers to enhance your garden’s vibrancy.

Snapdragons

Snapdragons, with their whimsical, dragon-shaped blooms, add a playful charm to any garden. Coming in a variety of colors, from soft pastels to bold hues, these flowers perform incredibly well in partial sun and cooler temperatures. They can grow to heights of 6 to 48 inches, making them ideal for both vertical interest in garden beds and as cut flowers for indoor arrangements.

Snapdragons thrive best in well-draining soil and appreciate regular watering, especially in drier conditions. Deadheading spent blooms encourages continual flowering throughout the season. Their sandy texture and unique structure make them a beloved choice for gardeners looking to introduce a touch of whimsy.

Polka Dot Plant

For a splash of color that goes beyond blooms, the Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya) showcases stunning, spotted leaves in colors ranging from green to pink and white. This annual enjoys indirect sunlight and partial sun, making it a perfect candidate for shaded garden spots or as a houseplant.

Typically growing about 12 to 18 inches tall, Polka Dot Plants are visually exciting due to their striking foliage. They prefer consistently moist soil but can be sensitive to overwatering. They work wonderfully in mixed containers or as edging plants in beds—adding a cheerful playfulness that draws the eye in.

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are not only visually stunning with their vibrant orange, red, and yellow flowers, but they also come with the bonus of being edible. These trailing plants thrive in partial sun and can grow in a variety of soil types. The leaves and blossoms can be used in salads, adding a peppery flavor—making them a garden favorite for those who appreciate aesthetics and culinary utility.

These annuals grow vigorously and can be trained to climb or cascade depending on your garden setup. They also attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding vibrancy to your space. Nasturtiums are an excellent choice for container gardening and complement other flowers beautifully.

Forget-Me-Not

The delicate blooms of Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica) evoke a sense of nostalgia and charm. With their soft blue flowers and yellow centers, these lovely annuals thrive in partial sun. While usually treated as a perennial in many gardens, they are often grown as annuals in colder climates.

They aren’t picky when it comes to soil but prefer moderately moist conditions. Forget-Me-Nots are great for adding a subtle hue to borders or meandering through other flower beds. Their sweet scent and delicate demeanor endear them to garden lovers, making them a classic choice for cottage gardens.

Floss Flower (Ageratum)

Floss Flower, or Ageratum, features fluffy, pom-pom-like blooms that add texture and depth to any garden. Available primarily in shades of blue, purple, and white, these flowers thrive in partial sun, making them ideal for the morning light or dappled sun areas. Growing around 6 to 12 inches tall, they are excellent for front borders or container gardens.

With their bushy growth habit, Floss Flowers require consistent watering to maintain their lush look. They’re known for their ability to attract butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. Cut flowers from the Ageratum also last quite a while in arrangements, making them a wonderful choice for both indoor and outdoor highlights.

Calibrachoa

Commonly known as Million Bells, Calibrachoa resembles miniature petunias but boasts even more flowers. This stunning annual flowers profusely in a range of colors, from vibrant shades to soft pastels. It thrives in partial sun and loves well-drained soil, making it perfect for hanging baskets or decorative pots on your porch or patio.

Calibrachoa generally grows to about 12 to 18 inches in height, with trailing varieties cascading beautifully. Regular deadheading isn’t necessary when grown properly, as it continuously produces flowers. Enjoy the low-maintenance beauty it provides while creating a cheerful atmosphere in your outdoor spaces.

Begonia

Begonias are highly valued for their glossy, textured leaves and beautiful blooms. Many types of begonias thrive in partial sun, particularly the wax begonias and fibrous-rooted varieties. They come in fiery reds, soft pinks, and white flowers, with some varieties showcasing beautifully patterned leaves.

From small, bedding varieties to larger, more showy types, begonias can fill various garden roles. They prefer moisture-retentive soil but must not be waterlogged. Whether planted under trees or in shady spots, they offer continuous blooms throughout the season, making them a staple for shaded gardens.

Sweet Potato Vine

Known for its captivating foliage, Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas) adds an exotic flair to your garden. This annual doesn’t just yield tubers; its leaves come in colors ranging from deep purple to bright green, providing a lovely contrast when paired with flowering plants.

Sweet Potato Vines love partial sun, thriving in rich, well-drained soil. They are fast-growing, making them ideal for covering ground swiftly or cascading over the edges of containers. Not only are they visually appealing, but they are also quite hardy and can handle drought conditions once established, making them low-maintenance garden friends.

Torenia

Torenia, often referred to as Wishbone Flower, is cherished for its unique, trumpet-shaped blooms and ability to thrive in shaded areas. Available in a lovely assortment of colors, including blue, purple, and white, it performs beautifully in partial sun conditions.

Growing best in rich, well-drained soil, Torenia typically reaches about 6 to 12 inches in height, making it perfect for borders or containers. Its low-growing habit and tendency to bloom continuously throughout the season make it a great option for filling in gaps and adding density to your garden arrangements.

Coleus

Coleus brings an explosion of colors and patterns without the requirement of blooms, making it an exceptional choice for foliage-driven gardens. Thriving in partial sun, these plants offer vibrant leaves in red, pink, yellow, and green, able to add striking contrast and beauty to your garden design.

With various shapes and sizes available, Coleus is suitable for both planters and garden beds. They prefer well-drained soil and regular watering to maintain their lush appearance. Mix and match different varieties for a visually stunning display, as their colorful foliage complements other annuals beautifully.

Dichondra

Dichondra is often used as a ground cover or in hanging baskets to create flowing cascades of greenery. While it doesn’t feature showy flowers, its velvety, round leaves bring a soft, lush appearance to partial sun areas. It’s an excellent choice for filling in shady spots while offering a calming green backdrop for other colorful blooms.

Dichondra adapts well to a range of soil conditions but thrives in well-drained environments. Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and low maintenance. Think of it as the “green carpet” that provides a texture contrast in your garden.

Stock (Matthiola incana)

Stock flowers are revered for their delightful fragrance and stunning blooms in rich colors. Perfect for partial sun conditions, they bring a unique charm to gardens with their dense flower spikes that can grow up to 18 inches tall. Stock blooms typically express deep hues of purple, pink, and white.

Regular watering is essential for this annual, particularly in drier spells. They’re great for cutting gardens, as they make exceptional floral arrangements due to their long-lasting beauty and scent. Incorporating Stock into your garden will bring both fragrance and visual delight, ensuring your outdoor spaces feel alive.

Impatiens

For shady spots that barely see the sun, Impatiens are a go-to choice. These beloved annuals come in various colors—from bright pinks and reds to softer whites and purples. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil and can bring a burst of color even in the darkest corners of your garden.

Growing about 12 to 24 inches tall, Impatiens can fill out beds or containers beautifully. Regular watering helps them flourish, particularly in hot weather. Use them to create colorful borders or dot them among taller plants for vibrant contrast.

Browallia

Browallia is an often-overlooked gem in the world of annuals, but its gentle beauty makes it a worthy addition to your garden. These flowers bloom in shades of blue, purple, or white, casting a tranquil hue across any partially shaded gardening area.

They prefer moisture-retentive, well-drained soil and can grow around 12 to 18 inches tall. Browallia’s delightful color and low maintenance requirements make them perfect for hanging baskets or as fillers in mixed plantings. They’re great for softening boundaries and adding subtle charm to your landscape.

Lobelia

Lobelia features delicate, trailing flowers that are perfect for adding a soft touch to hanging baskets and window boxes. With its brilliant blue, purple, or white blooms, it loves partial sun, thriving in cool weather and moist conditions. Lobelia typically reaches about 6 to 12 inches in height, offering low-growing charm to borders or mixed containers.

Regular deadheading encourages more blooms, ensuring you enjoy a lush display all season long. Its vibrant color and cascading habit create visual movement—an excellent choice for adding depth and beauty to your outdoor spaces.

Caladium

Caladiums are prized for their extraordinary foliage rather than their flowers. Featuring striking heart-shaped leaves in delightful shades of green, white, red, and pink, these plants thrive beautifully in shaded areas with partial sun. Caladiums grow 12 to 30 inches, making them ideal for borders or larger containers.

These tropical plants prefer rich, well-draining soil and consistently moist conditions. Their stunning leaves add a dramatic flair to any garden setup, particularly when paired with contrasting blooms, making them an eye-catching player in your annual flower lineup.

Nemesia

Named for the Greek goddess of retribution, Nemesia brings an elegant touch to any garden. These lovely annuals produce charming flowers with rich, vibrant colors that thrive in partial sun conditions. Typically growing up to 12 inches tall, they’re perfect for borders or containers.

Nemesia prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter and requires regular watering to maintain their beauty. As a lovely addition to any garden, their subtle fragrance and generous flowering make them a delightful choice for attracting pollinators and enhancing the garden experience.

Balsam

Balsam flowers (Impatiens balsamina), often called Touch-Me-Not, present a delightful display with their soft petals and bright colors. They thrive in partially shaded areas, producing abundant blossoms that can be pink, red, white, or purple. Reaching about 12 to 30 inches tall, they provide a lovely backdrop for other flowers or can stand solo in garden plots.

Balsams prefer well-drained, somewhat moist soil. Their upright habit and clusters of flowers make them suitable for filling in gaps within mixed garden arrangements. With their cheerful blooms, they contribute to a joyful garden atmosphere.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) enchants with its tiny white, pink, or purple flowers and delightful honey-like fragrance. This charming annual performs beautifully in partial sun, developing low-growing carpets of blooms that draw pollinators to your garden.

Sweet Alyssum spreads across garden beds, reaching heights of around 6 to 12 inches, making it ideal for edging or as ground cover. They thrive in well-drained soil and need regular watering, particularly during dry spells. Incorporating Sweet Alyssum not only enhances the overall beauty of your space but also invites a variety of beneficial insects.