Pine trees are evergreen plants that offer a beautiful open space beneath their branches.
However, finding the right plant to grow under the pine trees can be challenging due to the varied growing needs of the plants. Choose plants that can tolerate the shade created by the pine trees. The growth requirement of the plants grown under pine trees should be similar to pine trees for robust growth. Pine trees consist of extensive root systems and also drop many pine needles and pinecones, which can get in the way of planting. In this blog, we have covered factors and different types of plants to grow under pine.
Factors to Consider to Grow Plants Under Pine Trees
Here are a few important environmental elements that are required to grow plants under pine trees.
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Requires acidic soil.
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Prefers low to moderate sunlight.
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Can handle dry conditions.
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Can thrive and grow around the root system of a mature tree.
What Kind of Plants to Grow Under Pine Trees?
Here are plants that can grow under pine trees with their necessary environmental conditions.
Bulbs to Grow Under Pine Trees
| Plant Name | Zone | Botanical Name | Mature Size | Sun Exposure | Growth Rate |
| Scented Daffodil Mix | 5 - 9 | Narcissus ‘Minnow’, Narcissus ‘Martinette’ | 1 - 1.5’ H | Full sun/ Partial sun | Medium |
| Vanguard Crocus | 4 - 8 | Crocus vernus ‘Vanguard’ | 5’ H | Full sun/ Partial sun | Medium |
| Grape hyacinth | 3 - 8 | Muscari latifolium | 1 - 1.75’ H | Full sun/ Partial sun | Medium |
| ‘Tiny Double You’ Asiatic Lily | 3 - 9 | Lilium asiatic ‘Tiny Double You’ | 1 - 1.25’ H | Full sun/ Partial sun | Medium |
Perennial to Grow Under Pine Trees
| Plant Name | Zone | Botanical Name | Mature Size | Sun Exposure | Growth Rat |
| Ostrich Fern | 3-7 | Matteuccia struthiopteris | 3 - 6’ H x 5 -7’ W | Full shade/ Partial sun | Medium |
| Jacob’s Ladder | 3-8 | Polemonium reptans | 1-3’ H x 1-2’ W | Full sun/ Partial shade | Medium |
| Wild Geranium | 3-8 | Geranium maculatum | 1.25’-2’ H x 1.25’ W | Full sun/ Partial shade | Medium |
| Wild Columbine | 3-8 | Aquilegia canadensis | 2-3’ H x 1-1,5’ W | Full sun/ Partial shade | Medium |
| ‘Wild Rose’ Coral Bells | 4-9 | Heuchera PRIMO ‘Wild Rose’ | 8-10” H x 20” W | Full sun/ Partial shade | Medium |
| ‘Nikko’ Slender Deutzia | 5-8 | Deutzia gracilis ‘Nikko’ | 1.5-2’ H x 3.5’ W | Full sun/ Partial shade | Medium |
Groundcovers to Grow Under Pine Trees
| Plant Name | Zone | Botanical Name | Mature Size | Sun Exposure | Growth Rate |
| Allegheny Spurge | 3-8 | Pachysandra procumbens | 8-12” H x 12” W | Full shade/ Partial shade | Slow |
| Wild Ginger | 3-8 | Asarum canadense | 1’ H x 1-2’ W | Full shade/ Partial shade | Medium |
| ‘Massachusetts’ Kinnikinnick | 2-6 | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ‘Massachusetts’ | 1’ H x 8-10’ W | Full sun/ Partial shade | Medium |
| Sweet Woodruff | 4-9 | Galium odoratum | 6-12” H x 6-12” W | Full shade/ Partial shade | Medium |
| ‘Rocky Road Magenta’ Creeping Phlox | 4-8 | Phlox ‘Rocky Road Magenta’ | 0.5’ H x 2-3’ W | Full sun | Medium |
Shrubs to Grow Under Pine Trees
| Plant Name | Zone | Botanical Name | Mature Size | Sun Exposure | Growth Rate |
| Wine and Roses Weigela | 4-8 | Weigela florida ‘Alexandra’ | 4-5’ H x 4-5’ W | Full sun | Medium |
| ‘Soft Touch’ Japanese Holly | 5-9 | Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’ | 2-3/ H x 2-3’ W | Full sun | Fast |
| White Rhododendron | 4-8 | Rhododendron catawbiense Album | 4-5’ H x 4-5’ W | Full sun/ Partial sun | Medium |
| Autumn Amethyst Encore Azalea | 6-10 | Rhododendron ‘Conlee’ | 3-4’ H x 3-4’ W | Full sun/ Partial sun | Medium |
| Quick Fire Hydrangea Shrub | 3-8 | Hydrangea paniculata ‘Bulk’ treeform | 6-10’ H x 4-5’ W | Full sun/ Partial sun | Slow |
Best Plants to Thrive Under Pine Trees
Here is a list of some of the best plants that can thrive well under pine trees.
Hosta
Hosta “Hosta plantaginea” is one of the best to plant under a tall pine tree. This perennial plant can thrive in the shade and cover the ground in tropical-looking foliage due to its leafy structure. They bloom in mid-summer and require partial shade beneath the tree. They grow between 2 inches to 3 feet in height and width of 4 inches to 5 feet.
American Beautyberry
American Beautyberry “Callicarpa americana” is native to eastern and central North America, thriving in open grassland, shrublands, and open woodlands. It can grow under diverse soils and full sun to partial shade. With a height of 3-8 feet, it gives small pink or white flowers in early summer.
Blue Star
Blue Star “Amsonia ciliata” is native to the Southeastern U.S., thriving in open woodlands in sandy, well-drained soil. With dappled sunlight and some afternoon shade, it can grow well under pines. This perennial wildflower blooms in spring, reaching up to 2-3 feet. It attracts butterflies and pollinators with its pale blue star-shaped flowers that grow in loose clusters and are ideal for dry, part-shade conditions.
Columbine
Columbine “Aquilegia app” thrives in diverse garden settings under full sun but prefers shade to refrain from coming exposure to scorching heat or summer. They develop deep taproots and like moist to dry, well-drained soil. The flower blooms from early to mid-spring attract early-season hummingbirds.
Downy Serviceberry
Downy Serviceberry “Amelanchier arborea” is best to grow under pines. It’s native to eastern North America, growing in open woodlands, shrubby thickets and rocky outcroppings. This flower prefers a sunny or slightly shaded area with moist and well-drained soil. Its white blossoms attract bees and butterflies. The small reddish-purple berries mature in late summer to early fall, attracting birds and mammals. Its foliage turns multiple shades of orange, red and burgundy in the fall.
Dwarf Palmetto
Dwarf Palmetto “Sabal minor” is native to the southeastern U.S. and Mexico. They are generally found in moist forests, thriving in mixed hardwood and pine forests. It also prefers plenty of sun in woodland areas but requires some afternoon shade. Its wide foliage provides year-round landscaping interest and habitat for wildlife. With their summer-blooming white flower panicles, they attract pollinators, birds and mammals towards fall fruits.
Hellbore
Hellbore “Helleborus spp” is also known as Lenten rose or winter rose, but it isn't a rose plant. It belongs to the buttercup family, with multiple species and cultivars of sturdy, clump-forming herbaceous plants that grow well under the shade and acidity of pine trees. Its leathery foliage is evergreen in most seasons and thrives in partial to fill shade, being green all year round. Additionally, it provides a visual appeal to the winter landscape with its large nodding flowers in pink and creamy white shades.
Wild Ginger
Wild Ginger “Asarum canadense” is native to parts of Canada and the U.S. It's an herbaceous perennial belonging to the Aristolochiaceae or birthwort family. They usually grow well in shady areas, making them a perfect ground cover due to their short stature of 4-6 inches. With the growth requirements of partial to full shade, it can tolerate diverse soils as long as watered regularly. They are moist and well-draining and bloom in spring.
Miniature Gardenia
Miniature Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Radicans’) is also termed as creeping cape jasmine and cherished for their scented white flowers that grow well on branches. They are usually 6-12 inches tall. This small shrub doesn't need sun or regular watering sessions. It will bloom in summer and grow better when planted under or nearby pine trees.
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart “Dicentra spectabilis” grows in almost the entire U.S. With its unique heart-shaped blossoms of white, pink or red, they are easy to grow and thrive well on their own without specific requirements. It can grow better under shady trees as long as the soil is well-draining. They bloom in early spring with a height of 3 feet and a width of 4 feet.
Lady Fern
Lady Fern “Anthurium filix-femina” can grow in versatile environmental conditions as it can easily tolerate different levels of sun exposure, diverse soils and watering schedules. Lady Fern offers summer-blooming green flowers and big fronds of foliage, consisting of small jagged-edged leaves under the larger plants. They are around 1 to 2 feet tall.
Foam Flower
Foam Flower “Tiarella cordifolia” is native to North America. It's a small wildflower and a herbaceous perennial that very well covers the ground for your shaded garden. It can thrive under pine trees in an area of moist and well-draining soil. They offer white flowers in early to mid-summer, attracting pollinators like butterflies and native bees. Additionally, when it's not blooming, this plant covers the soil under the pine trees with its rounded clusters of low-growing leaves.
