The Apartment Gardeners

The space by my boyfriend's front door is rather depressing - just rocks and cobwebs - and I'd like to cheer it up a bit with a potted plant. Unfortunately, being on the first floor, it's a very shady area that doesn't get any direct sunlight at all. Does anyone know of a plant I could grow there? I am not a great gardener and I don't know much about plants, but surely there must be something that likes shade. Preferably something not terribly exotic and expensive.

Google tells me I live in Hardiness Zone 8b, if that helps.

Thanks in advance.