11 Plants That Can Help Your Garden Feel Cooler During a Heatwave
From leafy shade-makers to moisture-rich varieties.
When a heatwave turns your garden into a sun trap, even sitting outside for a few minutes can feel uncomfortable. While umbrellas offer quick relief, gardening experts say certain plants can also help reduce heat build-up naturally by providing shade and releasing moisture into the air.
"Plants help cool a garden in two main ways. First, they block sunlight before it reaches the ground, paving, walls, or seating areas. Second, they release water vapor through their leaves, which can make the surrounding air feel cooler," says Dr Russell Sharp, the founder of Eutrema.
"During a heatwave, this cooling effect is most noticeable around patios, seating areas, pathways, and outdoor dining spaces, so it's worth focusing your planting in the areas where people actually spend time."
From leafy shade-makers to moisture-rich varieties, these cooling plants can help you beat the heat.
Large-leaved plants
Add shade to your garden with large-leaved plants, such as the castor oil plant, giant rhubarb, leopard plant, and large hostas, which can all provide plenty of cooling foliage during summer.
"Large-leaved plants are particularly effective because they create broad shade and help reduce the heat that radiates back from hard surfaces," says Dr. Russell.
"They also rely less on the wind for cooling, and instead rely more on water evaporation through the pores, so water release is far higher."
Banana plants and elephant ears
"Even if you only have a small garden or patio, containers can make a real difference," adds Dr Russell, who says potted plants can work especially well as cooling stations.
"Hardy banana plants and elephant ears produce large tropical-style leaves that can create shade around seating areas and outdoor dining spaces. They need regular watering, but good drainage is just as important."
Don't forget to check on them during periods of heavy rain, as they will struggle sitting in waterlogged soil.
Using rainwater from a water barrel and adding mulch to the surface of pots can help reduce water loss while maintaining their cooling benefits."
Ornamental grasses
With their beautiful flower plumes and striking appearance, tall ornamental grasses, such as maiden grass, can also have a similar cooling effect once established. Plant in a location that receives full sun.
Honeysuckle
"Climbers are another smart option for smaller gardens because they add a large amount of foliage without taking up much ground space," says Dr. Russell.
"Honeysuckle, for example, can help soften the heat around fences, pergolas, and seating areas, particularly when the roots are kept cool and mulched."
Opt for a native option. Coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), for example, is native to the Eastern United States.
Ferns
"Ferns are a fantastic choice, particularly hardy varieties like Dryopteris or Matteuccia," says Luke Newnes, Gardening Expert at Hillarys.
"They thrive in lower light conditions and bring a lush, cooling feel to the space. Paired with shade-loving plants like astilbe or heuchera, you can build up a dense planting scheme that traps moisture and keeps the surrounding air feeling fresher."
Amelanchier or Acer
Don't overlook your trees and large shrubs. Even in small spaces, trees like an Amelanchier or a multi-stemmed Acer can cast dappled shade.
"Underplanting these with soft ground cover helps maximise the cooling effect," says Luke.
"Plants absorb far less heat than materials like stone or decking, so increasing planting beds or adding oversized containers filled with leafy plants can make the whole garden feel noticeably cooler."
Quick Tips For a Cooler Garden
- Plant trees or tall shrubs near seating areas.
- Use leafy plants to shade paving and walls.
- Group moisture-loving plants together.
- Focus cooling plants around patios and dining spaces.
- Water early in the morning to maximise cooling benefits.
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