Finding plants for moist, dark corners of the yard is a challenge—here are some of the best plants that thrive in shade and wet soil.
11 Plants That Like Shade and Wet Soil
Published on Apr. 30, 2025
Black Cohosh
Actaea racemosa, zones 3 to 8
Reaching 4 to 6 feet tall by 2 feet wide, black cohosh adds drama and vertical interest to the summer border. This native perennial prefers part to full shade and even moisture. The fragrant flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Why we love it: Creamy white spires in June through July on these plants light up shade gardens with wet soil.
European Wild Ginger
Asarum europaeum, zones 4 to 7
An easy-care, politely spreading ground cover, wild ginger’s distinctive leaves make it an eye-catching edging plant for part- to full-shade situations in moist soil with drainage.
Why we love it: Its cup-shaped shiny leaves are adorable and offer bold contrast to finer textures in the shade garden.
Note: although it’s related to edible ginger, this plant is not edible.
Large Camas
Camassia leichtlinii, zones 5 to 9
One of the few bulbs that can tolerate moist ground, this long-lived native wildflower was a staple food source for Indigenous peoples for generations. Summer-flowering in blue, white, or pink, it’s adaptable to many soil conditions, and makes a good rain garden plant.
Why we love it: This fuss-free bulb reaching 2 1/2 feet brings showy blooms in May and June, which are great cut flowers for arrangements.
EverColor Everillo Sedge
Carex oshimensis ‘Everillo’, zones 5 to 9
Looking like a mini ornamental grass gilded in gold, ‘Everillo’ stays about 2 feet tall and wide. For the best color, grow it in partial shade with protection from hot sun. Its narrow leaves pair nicely with hostas, and shine singly or en masse.
Why we love it: This low-growing sedge glows from afar with golden foliage and is evergreen through most of its hardiness range.
Jacob’s Ladder
Polemonium reptans ‘Stairway to Heaven’, zones 3 to 9
Enjoying moist soil and partial shade, Jacob’s ladder leaves have a fascinating structure. The Stairway to Heaven cultivar’s creamy variegation, which can turn pink with cool spring weather, is especially pretty.
Why we love it: The foliage show would be enough, but the sky-blue flowers in May put it over the top.
Bunchberry
Cornus canadensis, zones 2 to 6
This adaptable shrub tops out under a foot tall so it can double as a ground cover. It enjoys partial to nearly full shade in consistently moist, well-draining soil with organic matter (humus). The flowers and later red fruit support butterflies and birds, and some people like the fruit, too.
Why we love it: It offers the same wavy foliage and star-shaped flowers of the beloved dogwood tree (Cornus florida), but front and center.
Solomon’s Seal
Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’, zones 3 to 8
With graceful arched stems and dangling white bells, Solomon’s Seal brings a breezy elegance to the border. Where it’s happy, it can form beautiful colonies where happy. It can tolerate very moist soils with some drainage, even in heavy shade. This cultivar’s leaves have creamy edges.
Why we love it: A true three-season plant, you’ll enjoy the variegated foliage and fragrant, lily-scented flowers, followed by blue-black berries and yellow fall color. Bonus: it makes a great accent in arrangements, too.
Fanal Astilbe
Astilbe x arendsii ‘Fanal’, zones 3 to 8
Astilbes are treasured for their feathery foliage and fuzzy flowers. This standout delivers with vivid red blooms atop bronze-tinted leaves.
Why we love it: At a height of 1 1/2 feet, ‘Fanal’ is easy to fit in, even at the front of the border. If critters are an issue for you, deer and rabbits tend to avoid it.
Leopard Plant ‘Bottle Rocket’
Ligularia ‘Bottle Rocket’, zones 4 to 9
This plant is a midsummer showstopper if you have a spot with heavy shade, consistently wet soil, and protection from wind and afternoon sun. Typically 2 to 3 feet high, the toothy leaves are almost as showy as the flowers.
Why we love it: Those blooms! Vivid gold flower spikes provide an unforgettable shade garden display in June and July.
Giant Elephant’s Ear
Alocasia macrorrhizos, zones 9 to 11 or Annual
Alocasia is a tropical plant with massive, exotic-looking leaves often sold as a summer annual. It will tolerate flooding, but hot sun or high winds can damage the leaves. It may grow 15 feet in its native habitat, but will stay much smaller grown as an annual.
Why we love it: There’s nothing like an Alocasia when you want to the flair of tropical plants in the shade with wet soil.
Cinnamon Fern
Osmunda cinnamomea, Zones 3 to 9
This dramatic deciduous fern, a native plant in the eastern and southeastern U.S., makes a statement at 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, preferring moist—even boggy—and shady conditions.
Why we love it: It’s fun to watch through the season. First, the upright fronds emerge and turn brown, persisting all season, as the fiddleheads unfurl to spring green fronds and turn golden before falling in autumn.
