24 Herbs That Grow in Some Shade

From culinary favorites like parsley and mint to medicinal go-tos like angelica and nettle, these shade-loving herbs will thrive in low light gardens.

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January 25, 2021

By: Jessica Yonker and Debbie Wolfe

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Thyme

Most varieties of thyme will tolerate part shade. Let the soil slightly dry out between waterings. Try planting it with other flowers and herbs for a fragrant container.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $4.95

Parsley

Flat-leaf and curly Italian parsley varieties need moist soil that drains easily and full sun to part shade. Thin the seedlings to every 8 to 10 inches. The plants have long taproots, so give them large containers if you grow them in pots. Though typically treated as an annual, parsley is a biennial and will overwinter in zone 6 and above.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $6.95

Cilantro

Cilantro will quickly bolt and set seeds under the hot sun, so this herb actually prefers a little shade. Grow it directly from seed after the chance of frost has passed, cilantro develops a large taproot and hates being transplanted. Once cilantro does bolt, you can harvest the seeds, called coriander, to spice up savory dishes.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $5.45

Mint

Mint is one of the best choices for a shady spot. The culinary favorite grows so fast and so easily that if not carefully tended to, it can take over other plants. For best results, make mint a container plant or pot it before adding it to garden beds. In the shade, mint can sprawl toward sunlight, so keep it trimmed to prevent it from getting leggy.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $3.95

Golden Oregano

Most varieties of oregano need full sun; however, the leaves of golden oregano, 'Aureum', can fry under the sun, so it does best in partial shade.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $16.95, Pack of 3

Chives

Chives produce 6" to 12" clumps of grass-like leaves that can be clipped and added to salads, stews and other dishes. Though chives prefer full sun, they will tolerate a considerable amount of shade, especially in hot climates.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $15.95, Pack of 3

Tarragon

Tarragon is a perennial herb favored for its aromatic, licorice-flavored leaves that are used in salads, seasoning mixes and vinegars. It's easiest to grow tarragon from cuttings or seedlings; it appreciates sun in the morning and afternoon shade.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $17.99, Pack of 3

Wild Bergamot

Resistant to deer, drought and powdery mildew, wild bergamot produces lavender blooms that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. You can also steep the leaves for a flavorful tea.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $7.45

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a perennial that — as its name suggests — produces fragrant leaves with a minty, citrus scent that is often used to flavor tea, fruit, salads and marinades for chicken and fish. Trim it often, especially in shady spots, to keep it from getting leggy.

BUY ONLINE: The Home Depot, 8.88, Pack of 2

Borage

These prolific self-seeding annuals are well known for their striking blue star-shaped flowers during the warmer months. Borage is used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a cucumber-like taste and is delicious in salads and soups. Borage prefers light shade but can often take full sun in colder climates.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $5.95

Sweet Woodruff

Sweet woodruff produces a mat of fragrant, star-shaped leaves. Try using it as a groundcover for shady borders in your garden.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $6.49

Angelica

Angelica has been cultivated as a medicinal herb and the leaves and stems of Angelica archangelica are edible (but be careful to avoid consuming its root, which is poisonous), with a sweet flavor similar to celery. This biennial loves woodland conditions, so grow it in moist soil and partial shade.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $7.45

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet is a perennial herb with fernlike leaves native to Europe and West Asia, where it grows easily in damp meadows. A cousin of roses, its fragrant leaves can be used to sweeten tea, wine and desserts. Its flowers — which bloom from June through September — attract butterflies and bees.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $3.79

Red Perilla

Perilla, also called shiso, is an herb from the mint family that can take some shade. Red perilla has an anise-like flavor, while green perilla tastes more like cinnamon. In Japan, green perilla is used in sushi, soups, and tempura, or added to rice. In Korea, a larger variety is marinated and used as a wrap for barbecue or eaten raw in salads.

BUY ONLINE: Outsidepride, $4.99

Spicebush

Spicebush is super-fragrant, edible and does well in partial shade. Scented blooms appear in late winter to early spring, before leaves unfurl on branches. Fall color features yellow shades, and when leaves drop, female plants display red berries that beckon birds. Be sure to plant both male and female plants to get berries.

BUY ONLINE: Gurney's Seed and Nursery Co., $14.99

Chervil

Chervil is part of the carrot family and is popular in French cuisine. It's a prominent ingredient in fines herbes blends used to flavor eggs, fish and salads. It has an anise-like flavor that works well mixed with bitter greens and spicy arugula.

BUY ONLINE: Burpee, $4.45

Stinging Nettle

This herb is well-known for its medical benefits. It has been used for centuries to treat ailments such as muscle and joint pain, eczema, arthritis, gout, UTI and anemia. Nettles have a spinach-like flavor and can be eaten steamed and tossed with dressing or eaten fresh as a salad green.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $6.49

Corsican Mint

Corsican mint features compact, rounded leaves and makes a lovely and fragrant ground cover in moist, shady areas. Plant the mint between paving/stepping stones, patio blocks or in rock gardens. The petite leaves may be used to flavor teas, in salads, in cooked foods or as a garnish.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $9.99

Musk Geranium

Musk geranium is an aromatic, hardy perennial with gray-green lobed leaves and pink flowers. It's most valued for its distinctive, warm musky fragrance, primarily used in perfume and potpourri. For best results, plant musk geranium where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade.

BUY ONLINE: Monticello Shop, $12.00

Sweet Cicely

All parts of sweet cicely are edible and impart a sweet anise flavor with a touch of celery. Use the fresh leaves and seeds in fruit dishes or baked products. The roots can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Sweet Cicely can tolerate some sun but prefers shadier nooks.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $8.97

Wild Ginger

Wild ginger is an excellent shade plant often uses as a ground cover. It's not related to culinary ginger, but the roots of wild ginger produce a scent that is similar to ginger. Although early settlers used it as a ginger substitute, it's best used as a ground cover.

BUY ONLINE: Monticello Shop, $12.00

Lovage

The leaves, stems, roots and seeds of lovage are edible. It prefers sun but will grow in well in part shade. It has a strong tart, lemon flavor that works well in salads, soups and stews or as a tea.

BUY ONLINE: Monticello Shop, $8.00

Sorrel

Sorrel is a perennial with broad lance-shaped bright green leaves. It has a tart, lemony flavor and makes a great addition to soups, sauces and salads.

BUY ONLINE: Amazon, $6.49

Sweet Grass

Sweet grass, also known as holy grass, has a scent described as a combination of vanilla and newly mown hay. Native throughout North America, the plant is considered sacred by myriad Native American tribes and is used in purification ceremonies, crafts and for medicinal purposes. The acclaimed nature writer Robin Wall Kimmerer, of Potawatomi heritage, wrote about the plant in her bestseller Braiding Sweetgrass. Also native to northern Europe and Asia, the plant has long been used in those regions as a flavoring and ceremonially for its sweet smell. It makes a beautiful specimen plant in a herb garden.

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24 Herbs That Grow in Some Shade

Related To:

Thyme

Parsley

Cilantro

Mint

Golden Oregano

Chives

Tarragon

Wild Bergamot

Lemon Balm

Borage

Sweet Woodruff

Angelica

Meadowsweet

Red Perilla

Spicebush

Chervil

Stinging Nettle

Corsican Mint

Musk Geranium

Sweet Cicely

Wild Ginger

Lovage

Sorrel

Sweet Grass

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