A shade-loving plant is a type of plant that prefers to grow in areas with little or no direct sunlight. Two examples of shade-loving plants are ferns and hostas. Ferns are a type of vascular plant that reproduce by spores and have feathery fronds. Hostas are a type of perennial flowering plant that have large, heart-shaped leaves and bell-shaped flowers. Both ferns and hostas are popular choices for shady gardens and landscapes.