91 Plants That Grow Well in Shade

If you have a garden or any outdoor space that receives limited sunlight, this article is ideal for you.

Growing plants in a shady yard can seem difficult. The good news is that many vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers, and even trees grow well with less sunlight.

These shade-loving plants can help you create a beautiful and productive garden, even in areas where sunshine is not always available.

Here are some of the best plants that grow in shade.

Best Shade-Tolerant Plants to Grow

If you’re dedicated to the idea of a shady garden at home where direct sunlight is difficult to attain, the list below includes some plants to consider.

Vegetables

Some might think that all vegetables need a lot of sunlight to grow, but that is not the case. Many vegetables are well-suited for growing in areas with limited sunlight.

So, if you’re looking to start a vegetable garden but don’t have much sunny space, don’t worry! Below is a list of 28 vegetables that tolerate shade better than most.

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Leeks
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Peas
• Rutabagas
• Kohlrabi
• Osaka Purple Mustard
• Bok Choy (Pak Choi)
• Chicory
• Collards
• Endive
• Kale
• Chinese Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
• Mizuna
• Tatsoi
• Watercress
• Pea Shoots
• Scallions (Green Onions)
• Mustard Greens

Avoid fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant [1]. These thrive best in gardens that receive eight or more hours of sunlight daily.

Additionally, some vegetable plants, particularly leafy greens, are best grown in pots. That way, you can move and shift them around to acquire whatever sunlight they can get.

Herbs

Many herbs are well-suited for growing in areas with a few hours of sunlight each day. Try planting some of these in your problem area and see how they do.

Here are 22 herbs that can tolerate light shade. Some of these herbs can tolerate shadier areas better than others.

• Angelica
• Borage
• Catnip
• Dill
• Sorrel
• Chervil
• Chives
• Costmary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Garden Cress
• Horseradish
• Lemon Balm
• Lovage
• Mint
• Parsley
• Ginger
• Valerian
• Cilantro
• Tarragon
• Wild Bergamot
• Sweet cicely

Many other herbs grow in shade. Choose ones that are suitable for your area.

Fruit Plants

There are also fruit plants that can tolerate some shade.

One option is the fig tree. Fig trees prefer full sun, but they can tolerate some afternoon shade and may still produce fruit.

Another option is pawpaw. Pawpaw trees naturally grow beneath taller trees in forests when young, so they can handle partial shade. They often produce more fruit when they receive more sunlight.

Most fruit plants grow best in full sun, but the following options can still produce a harvest in partial shade. They usually produce the largest harvests when they receive more sunlight.

• Blackcurrant
• Gooseberries
• Hardy kiwi
• Lingonberries
• Lowbush Blueberries
• Alpine Strawberries
• Juneberry
• Mulberries

Flowers

Many flowers grow well in shady gardens. Below is a list of annual and perennial shade-tolerant flowers for your garden.

• Hydrangea
• Bee balm
• Violets
• Lily-of-the-Valley
• Bleeding-Heart
• Jacob’s Ladder
• Forget-me-not
• Foamflower
• Lungwort
• Primroses
• Foxglove
• Astilbe
• Siberian Iris
• Columbine
• Monkshood
• Bellflowers
• Black Cohosh
• Coral Bells
• Begonia
• Pansy
• Fuchsia
• Impatiens
• Lobelia
• Monkey-flower
• Snapdragon
• Wishbone Flower
• Nicotiana

Note: Foxglove is beautiful but toxic if eaten.

Trees

Below are six shade-tolerant trees to consider:

• Japanese maple
• Eastern Redbud
• American hornbeam
• Eastern hemlock
• Serviceberry
• Pagoda dogwood

Advantages of Growing in Shade

One benefit is that some plants can be moved around your garden if planted in containers. Another benefit is that shade gardens often create cooler spaces where plants and gardeners are protected from harsh afternoon heat.

Many shade-tolerant plants also have beautiful leaves that add color and texture even without flowers.

Additionally, less direct sunlight may lead to fewer weeds, and moisture stays in the soil for longer. However, wet soil can also encourage slugs and fungal problems, so good drainage is important.

Below are the lighting requirements that a gardener must carefully consider before deciding what to grow.

Sunlight Conditions

These are the basic sunlight conditions in which your garden can grow:

1. Full Sun

This garden receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, and many plants thrive in this environment.

Eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, grapes, and other fruit-producing plants grow best in full-sun gardens.

2. Light Shade

A light shade garden gets a few hours of direct sun each day, often through nearby trees or beside a building. Obstacles, such as trees or a wall, can prevent it from receiving direct sunlight.

For the best effect, focus on vegetables that don’t require full sun. Examples include leafy greens, herbs, and legumes such as peas and beans.

According to K-State Research and Extension, light-shaded gardens receive 3 to 5 hours of sunlight in the summer [2].

3. Part Shade

A part-shade garden receives about 3 to 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, usually in the morning or late afternoon.

It is a trickier garden to maintain. However, many crops tolerate partial light.

Beets, carrots, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, and spinach can thrive in partial shade.

Ultimately, your climate will be a significant factor in choosing gardens and the kinds of crops you can grow in partial shade.

4. Full Shade

Full shade usually means fewer than three hours of direct sunlight each day, with bright indirect light during the rest of the day.

Many vegetables and herbs still need some indirect light or a small amount of morning sun to grow well. Very few edible plants grow in complete darkness.

Deep shade is found under dense evergreen trees or beside tall buildings where very little sunlight reaches the ground.

Tips for Growing Plants in Shade

• Choose plants that tolerate partial shade.
• Water only when the soil begins to dry.
• Add compost to improve the soil.
• Prune nearby trees if possible to let in more light.
• Watch for slugs and snails, which are common in shady gardens.
• Mulch around plants to help keep moisture in the soil.

Choosing the right plants that grow in shade allows gardeners to create a productive shade garden, even in areas where sunlight is limited.

See also: Plants that grow in clay.

Takeaway

Even if your yard gets very little sunlight, you can still grow a beautiful and productive garden.

By choosing shade-loving and shade-tolerant plants, you can enjoy fresh vegetables, tasty herbs, colorful flowers, and healthy trees throughout the growing season.

Shade gardens usually stay moist longer, so plants may not need watering as often. Always check the soil before watering.