Curious about what plants grow under Cedar trees?
Brighten your shady garden with ground cover and flowers that thrive in low light.
These companion plants will spark landscaping ideas that will help you create a vibrant garden beneath your Cedars.
Find the perfect understory inspo for your yard and bring these stunning garden ideas to life.
Companion Plants That Grow Well Under Cedar Trees
1. Periwinkle
Bright blue or purple flowers make Periwinkle a charming ground cover under cedar trees.
Thriving in shade, this low-maintenance plant spreads easily, keeping weeds at bay and providing year-round greenery.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-18 inches spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Pest Repeller
- Botanical Name: Vinca minor
2. Creeping Wintergreen
Glossy green leaves and bright red berries make Creeping Wintergreen an attractive choice for planting beneath cedar trees.
This low-growing plant thrives in shady areas, offering a burst of color and a pleasant minty aroma.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 3-6 inches tall, spreading 6-12 inches
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
- Botanical Name: Gaultheria procumbens
3. Bugleweed
Vibrant purple-blue flower spikes make Bugleweed a striking ground cover for the shady spots under cedar trees.
This hardy plant spreads quickly, suppressing weeds and adding a touch of color to your garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-10
- Average Mature Size: 6-9 inches tall, spreading 12-24 inches
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Pest Repeller
- Botanical Name: Ajuga reptans
4. Hostas
Lush foliage in various shades of green, blue, and even variegated patterns make Hostas a popular choice for planting underneath cedar trees.
These shade-loving plants are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in low-light conditions.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
- Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-4 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Attract Pollinators
- Botanical Name: Hosta spp.
5. Coral Bells
Colorful foliage and delicate bell-shaped flowers make Coral Bells a lovely addition under cedar trees.
These perennials thrive in partial to full shade, offering vibrant colors and attracting pollinators to your garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 12-18 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
- Botanical Name: Heuchera spp.
6. Impatiens
Bright, cheerful flowers make Impatiens a delightful choice for planting around cedar trees.
Flourishing in shady spots, these annuals add a burst of color to your garden and require minimal maintenance.
- USDA Growing Zone: 10-11 (grown as annuals in most regions)
- Average Mature Size: 6-24 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Annual
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
- Botanical Name: Impatiens spp.
7. Lobelia
With its stunning blue flowers, Lobelia is perfect for adding vibrant color under cedar trees.
This low-growing plant thrives in shade and attracts pollinators, making it a beautiful and beneficial addition to your garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 2-10
- Average Mature Size: 4-9 inches tall, 6-12 inches spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Annual
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
- Botanical Name: Lobelia erinus
8. Japanese Anemones
Elegant flowers with delicate petals make Japanese Anemones a graceful choice for landscaping under cedar trees.
These perennials flourish in partial shade, providing late-season blooms and attracting pollinators to your garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
- Average Mature Size: 2-4 feet tall, 1.5-2 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
- Botanical Name: Anemone hupehensis
9. Mexican Daisy
Charming white and pink blooms make Mexican Daisy a delightful ground cover underneath cedar trees.
This hardy plant thrives in partial shade and attracts pollinators, adding a touch of cheer to shaded garden areas.
- USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
- Average Mature Size: 6-12 inches tall, 1-2 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
- Botanical Name: Erigeron karvinskianus
10. Caladium bicolor
Vibrant, heart-shaped leaves in stunning colors make Caladium Bicolor an eye-catching choice for landscaping under cedar trees.
These shade-loving plants add a tropical flair to your garden, flourishing in low-light conditions.
- USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
- Average Mature Size: 12-30 inches tall, 12-24 inches spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker
- Botanical Name: Caladium bicolor
11. Catmint
Lovely lavender-blue flowers and aromatic foliage make Catmint a wonderful choice for planting under cedar trees.
This hardy perennial thrives in partial shade, attracts pollinators, and is easy to maintain.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
- Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor, Pest Repeller
- Botanical Name: Nepeta spp.
12. Beardtongue
Bright, tubular flowers make Beardtongue a colorful choice for planting underneath cedar trees.
This resilient perennial thrives in partial shade, attracting pollinators and adding a touch of wild beauty to your garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
- Botanical Name: Penstemon spp.
13. Columbine
Delicate, nodding flowers in a variety of colors make Columbine a charming addition underneath cedar trees.
This hardy perennial flourishes in partial shade, attracting pollinators and adding elegance to shaded garden spots.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-9
- Average Mature Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-1.5 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
- Botanical Name: Aquilegia spp.
14. Pig Squeak
Glossy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers make Pig Squeak a great choice for landscaping under cedar trees.
This tough perennial thrives in partial to full shade, offering vibrant spring blooms and year-round foliage.
- USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
- Average Mature Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Weed Suppressor, Mulch Maker, Attract Pollinators
- Botanical Name: Bergenia spp.
15. Clivia
Bright orange or yellow flowers and strap-like leaves make Clivia a striking choice for planting under cedar trees.
This hardy perennial thrives in shade and adds a touch of tropical elegance to your garden.
- USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
- Average Mature Size: 1.5-2 feet tall, 1.5-2 feet spread
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Type: Perennial
- Key Benefits: Attract Pollinators, Weed Suppressor
- Botanical Name: Clivia miniata
Ideas & Designs For Landscaping Under Cedar Trees
Want More?
I hope you found a selection of understory plants that will look great under the Cedar tree in your yard.
You can also learn more about other companion plants that grow under Maple, Pine, Oak, Citrus and Spruce trees.