24 Herbs That Grow in Some Shade

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.

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.

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.

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.