Degradation of the Ombrophilous Dense Forest in the Lowlands, driven by cattle ranching and invasive species, limits natural regeneration. Species of the genus Inga are widely used as facilitators in restoration in this ecosystem, but are frequently treated as a uniform group despite their functional differences. We compared the growth and shading capacity of I. edulis, I. marginata, and I. laurina to provide better criteria for species selection in restoration plantings. Using morphometric variables (diameter at breast height, total height) and derived metrics (basal area, volume, and slenderness index), combined with qualitative crown assessments, we found that I. edulis excels in fast growth and high biomass production, I. laurina demonstrates greater structural robustness and denser crowns, and I. marginata shows intermediate performance with adaptability to degraded soils. These interspecific differences highlight the importance of combining species with complementary traits to enhance restoration efficiency in the Atlantic Forest.