Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.5 Best Plants For North Side Of House | Ditch the Sun-Lovers

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This heuchera delivers an unusual intensity of purple and maroon tone that remains vivid even in full shade — a rare trait among shade perennials. Growers note that plants in shadier spots develop deeper pigment, which makes this an ideal anchor for a north-side border that gets zero direct sun.

The 2-quart pot size is larger than typical starter pots, giving the root system a head start. At maturity the mound reaches 18–24 inches tall with a 12–18 inch spread, forming compact clumps that won’t overrun neighboring plants or cover a foundation window. It blooms in spring and summer with delicate flower stalks, but the foliage is the star here.

Multiple buyers report plants arriving healthy and well-packed, though a small minority received wilted specimens that did not recover. Because heuchera prefers evenly moist soil, planting into well-drained, organic-rich beds is critical. Avoid heavy clay that stays soggy — standing water on the north side will rot the crown.

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Variegated lilyturf combines green and cream striped blades with lilac-purple flower spikes that appear in late summer — a two-season display that breaks up the monotony of dark foundation corners. It’s marketed as shade tolerant, but multiple verified buyers confirm it grows thicker and more uniformly in part to full shade than in any sun exposure.

The clumping habit reaches about 12 inches tall, making it one of the shortest options for front-of-border edging. It tolerates heat, humidity, and a range of soil textures including sandy ground, so it works in both dry shade near the house and damp spots closer to downspouts. Shipped fully rooted in a 4-inch pot in seasonal condition, it can be planted immediately.

Buyers overwhelmingly praise the healthy, well-packaged arrivals and note that plants are larger than expected for the price. A few reviewers in USDA-restricted states (AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, HI) cannot order due to agricultural regulations. One complaint about size — the actual plant was smaller than the 6×6-inch pot image suggests — but most consider it a fair value.

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Creeping Jenny offers a chartreuse-green ground cover that stays just 4 inches tall but spreads up to 18 inches, creating a dense mat that smothers weeds and holds soil on north-side slopes. Its coin-shaped leaves (hence the nickname “moneywort”) provide bright color contrast against the darker foliage of hostas and heuchera.

It thrives in sun or partial shade, but on the north side it performs best where it gets some dappled light from an open window or adjacent east-west corner. The two-pack gives you enough coverage for a 2-3 foot stretch of bed. Regular watering is needed to keep it lush, but it will not tolerate standing water — amend clay beds before planting.

Most buyers report healthy, well-established plants that grow quickly after planting. A few received damaged specimens due to inadequate packaging, with stems broken and leaves crushed. Because Creeping Jenny is a delicate trailing plant, the seller’s packing method matters more here than for sturdier perennials. Those who got healthy plants were delighted by the vigor and color.

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Baltic English ivy is considered the hardiest variety of Hedera helix, tolerating cold down to zone 4 while spreading in full sun or full shade. That dual tolerance means it will grow on the north side where no direct sun reaches, filling in bare ground beneath eaves and along foundation walls where other ground covers struggle.

The 8-pack supplies enough plants for roughly a 6-8 foot stretch when spaced 12 inches apart. The ivy spreads by rooting along the stems, eventually forming a solid evergreen mat that never needs replanting. It is also deer resistant, a meaningful benefit if your north-side bed borders a wooded lot or suburban greenbelt.

Verified buyers consistently praise the packaging and health of the plants — many describe them as looking “fake” because they appear so perfect. A few noted that some plants looked “sad” on arrival but perked up after a few days of normal care. This seller is regionally restricted and ships only where the ivy is not considered invasive; check local regulations before ordering.

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This 9-pack of bare-root hostas is the most economical way to fill a large north-side bed quickly. The plants are shipped dormant and un-potted, which reduces shipping weight and cost, and they come from a nursery that grows them specifically for the online market. Hostas are legendary shade performers — they thrive in full shade where flowering plants fail, producing broad green, purple, or white-variegated leaves.

Bare root plants require a bit more care than potted ones: soak the roots for a few hours before planting, then set them in well-drained soil at the same depth they were grown. Most buyers report excellent results, with all nine plants sprouting within a week of planting. The hostas are hardy to USDA zone 3, so they survive harsh northern winters without protection.

Nearly all reviews are strongly positive — only one buyer received 7 plants instead of 9, although those seven thrived. No reports of rot or disease, and the majority describe the root systems as “root galore” with noticeable sprouting already underway. This is the ideal choice if you need mass coverage and are comfortable with bare-root handling.