Did you know that recent research suggests some herbs actually have higher levels of antioxidants when grown in the shade? The different levels of shade impact the phytochemical quality (the compounds responsible for health benefits) of various herbs, including lemon balm and thyme.1
So, it’s time to make use of those underutilized shaded areas of your garden. These herbs that grow in shade are sure to inspire you to transform your shady spots into flourishing herb spaces.
1. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Cardamom plants thrive in the shade because they are native to the understory of tropical forests. The shade protects their delicate leaves from scorching and helps retain the moisture they need to flourish.
2. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives prefer partial shade, especially in hotter climates, as too much direct sunlight can cause them to bolt (flower prematurely) and become bitter. The shade helps them maintain their tender, flavorful leaves.
3. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
While fennel can tolerate full sun, it often prefers partial shade, particularly in warmer climates. The shade helps prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and can lead to more robust growth.
4. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions with dappled sunlight or partial shade. Too much direct sun can burn its leaves, while shade helps maintain the moist soil it prefers.
5. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm prefers partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. The shade helps to prevent the plant from drying out and encourages the production of its aromatic oils.
6. Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
Lovage can tolerate full sun, but it often performs better with some afternoon shade, particularly in hotter climates. The shade helps protect its foliage and encourages a longer growing season.
7. Mint (Mentha – various species)
Mints thrive in partial shade, as too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves and reduce their flavor. The shade helps them retain moisture and produce more aromatic foliage.
8. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
While oregano can tolerate full sun, it often prefers partial shade, especially in warmer regions. The shade helps to prevent the plant from drying out and encourages bushier growth.
9. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade helps to prevent the plant from drying out and encourages more tender growth.
10. Shiso (Perilla frutescens)
Shiso prefers partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. The shade helps to prevent the leaves from becoming bitter and encourages a longer growing season.
11. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Sorrel prefers partial shade, as too much direct sunlight can cause its leaves to become tough and acidic. The shade helps to maintain a milder flavor and encourages more tender growth.
12. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Spicebush is a woodland plant that thrives in partial to full shade. It is adapted to the dappled sunlight of the forest understory and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
13. Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Sweet Cicely is a shade-loving herb that thrives in the cool, moist conditions of the forest understory. It prefers rich, fertile soil and dappled sunlight.
14. Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Tarragon prefers full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates. The shade helps to prevent the plant from drying out and encourages more tender growth.
15. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme thrives in full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer regions. The shade helps to prevent the plant from drying out and encourages bushier growth.
16. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
While basil enjoys sunlight, it prefers some shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade protects its delicate leaves from scorching and helps maintain the soil moisture it needs for optimal growth.
17. Borage (Borago officinalis)
Borage thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates. The shade helps protect its delicate flowers and foliage from excessive heat, ensuring a longer blooming period.
18. Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
Chervil is a cool-season herb that prefers partial to full shade, especially during the hot summer months. The shade prevents it from bolting (flowering prematurely) and helps maintain its delicate flavor.
19. Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro and coriander are the same plant, with cilantro referring to the leaves and coriander to the seeds. Both prefer partial shade, especially in warmer climates, as too much direct sunlight can cause them to bolt and become bitter.
20. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Dill prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. The shade helps prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and can lead to bushier growth.
21. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
Lemon verbena thrives in full sun but appreciates some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade helps protect its leaves from scorching and encourages a more extended growing season.
22. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley prefers partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. The shade helps prevent the leaves from wilting and encourages a more extended growing season with continuous leaf production.
23. Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Angelica prefers partial shade, especially in warmer climates, as too much direct sunlight can scorch its leaves. The shade helps maintain the cool, moist soil conditions it prefers for optimal growth.
24. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
While calendula can tolerate full sun, it often prefers partial shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade helps prolong its blooming period and prevents the flowers from fading too quickly.
25. Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Catnip can tolerate full sun but often thrives in partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. The shade helps prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and encourages bushier growth.
26. Chamomile (German Chamomile: Matricaria recutita, Roman Chamomile: Chamaemelum nobile)
Chamomile prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates. The shade helps prevent the delicate flowers from drying out too quickly and encourages a longer blooming period.
27. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Elderberry prefers full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate some shade, it tends to produce more flowers and fruit when grown in a sunnier location.
28. Ginseng (Asian Ginseng: Panax ginseng or American Ginseng: Panax quinquefolius)
Ginseng is a shade-loving plant that thrives in the dappled sunlight of the forest understory. Too much direct sunlight can damage its leaves and hinder its growth.
29. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)
Hyssop prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade helps prevent the soil from drying out too quickly and encourages bushier growth.
30. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Meadowsweet thrives in partial shade, especially in warmer climates. The shade helps maintain the moist soil conditions it prefers and prevents the leaves from scorching.
31. Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Red raspberry plants can tolerate full sun but often prefer partial shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade helps protect the leaves from scorching and encourages a longer growing season.
32. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff thrives in shade and is often found growing in the understory of forests. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and dappled sunlight.
33. Tulsi, Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Tulsi prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates. The shade helps prevent the delicate leaves from drying out too quickly and encourages a longer growing season.
34. Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Wild ginger is a shade-loving plant that thrives in the dappled sunlight of the forest understory. Too much direct sunlight can damage its leaves and hinder its growth.
35. Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)
Gotu kola is another shade-tolerant herb that thrives in damp, shady areas. Its fan-shaped leaves offer a mild, slightly bitter flavor, and it’s often used in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits.
These shade-loving herbs offer a diverse range of culinary and aesthetic possibilities. So, don’t let a lack of sunlight deter you—start planting these shade-tolerant herbs today!
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.