91 Plants That Grow Well in Shade

If you have a garden or any outdoor space that doesn’t get much sunlight, this article is perfect for you.

We know how frustrating it is to want a lovely garden but struggle with low light or limited sunlight. But fret not; in this blog post, we will explore some plants that thrive in shady conditions.

Below are some of the best shade-tolerant plants to grow.

Shade-Tolerant Vegetables

Some might think that all vegetables need a lot of sunlight to grow, but that is not the case. Plenty of vegetables are fine growing in low-light conditions.

So, if you’re looking to start a vegetable garden but don’t have a lot of sunny space, don’t worry! Below is a list of 28 shade-loving vegetables.

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Asparagus
• Brussels Sprouts
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Leeks
• Potatoes
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Garlic
• Peas
• Rutabagas
• Kohlrabi
• Osaka Purple Mustard
• Pak Choy
• Chicory
• Collards
• Endive
• Kale
• Chinese Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
• Mizuna
• Tatsoi
• Watercress

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

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

Shade-Tolerant Herbs

Plenty of herbs are perfect for growing in areas with at least three hours of direct sun. 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 are even shade-loving herbs that grow well in deep shade.

• Angelica
• Borage
• Catnip
• Arugula
• Calendula
• Chervil
• Chives
• Costmary
• Celery
• Stinging Nettle
• Garden Cress
• Horseradish
• Lemon Balm
• Lovage
• Mint
• Parsley
• Ginger
• Valerian
• Cilantro
• Tarragon
• Wild Bergamot
• Meadowsweet

Fruit Plants You Can Grow in the Shade

There are also fruit plants that can tolerate some shade. One option is the fig tree. Fig trees can grow in partial shade and still produce delicious fruit that can be used in various recipes.

Another option is citrus trees. Citrus trees need full sun to produce fruit, but they can also tolerate some shade.

Below are eight fruit plants that you can grow in partial shade.

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

Flowers That Thrive in Shade

Many flowers grow in the shade. Below is a list of 27 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
• Lamb’s Ears
• Lungwort
• Primroses
• Foxglove
• Astilbe
• Siberian Iris
• Columbine
• Monkshood
• Bellflowers
• Black Cohosh
• Calendula
• Begonia
• Pansy
• Fuchsia
• Impatiens
• Lobelia
• Monkey-flower
• Snapdragon
• Wishbone Flower
• Nicotiana

Trees That Grow in Shade

Below are the six best shade-tolerant trees:

• Japanese maple
• Magnolia trees
• American hornbeam
• Eastern hemlock
• Sugar maple
• Pagoda dogwood

Advantages of Growing in Shade

One benefit is that some plants can be moved around your garden if planted in containers. Additionally, less direct sun exposure may lead to fewer weeds, and moisture stays longer.

However, shade gardens can be set up differently depending on the plant. Below are the lighting requirements 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 a lot of sunlight—6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily—and many plants thrive in this environment.

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

2. Light Shade

A light shade garden is open to the sky and screened from direct sunlight. Obstacles such as trees or a wall can keep it from getting direct sunlight.

So, for the best effect, focus on vegetables that don’t need full sun. Examples include leafy greens, potatoes, herbs, 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

This garden receives 3 to 6 hours of sunlight daily, with more sunlight in the early or later parts of the day but never both.

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

Beets, carrots, arugula, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and celery 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

This type of garden receives less than 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. Most full-shade vegetables and herbs do well with a bit of sun during the morning and evening but not so much at midday.

There is also deep shade, which means almost no sunlight.

See also: Plants that grow in clay.

Takeaway

For herbs and vegetables that grow in shade, always consider the amount of sunlight and how well your plants will be protected.

Shade-tolerant crops may also require less water. Moisture is more easily retained without the sun constantly draining it. You can even use larger plants to provide shade for smaller plants.

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