Growing herbs is a rewarding endeavor, but many assume they require full, direct sunlight. This misconception often leads gardeners to overlook shaded areas as potential growing spaces. A surprising variety of flavorful and aromatic herbs are adapted to thrive in lower light conditions, offering a solution for gardens dominated by trees or tall structures. By understanding the specific light needs of these resilient plants, you can successfully cultivate a diverse and productive herb garden.
Understanding Shade Levels
Before selecting herbs for a low-light area, it is helpful to distinguish between the different categories of shade, as these distinctions determine which plants will perform best. Full shade is the most restrictive light condition, receiving less than two hours of direct sunlight daily, typically found on the north side of a building or under a dense tree canopy. Plants here rely mostly on reflected light. The term partial shade generally refers to areas that receive between two and four hours of direct sun, or sometimes morning sun followed by afternoon shade. This is a favorable condition for many shade-tolerant herbs, protecting them from the intense heat of midday sun. A related light pattern is dappled shade, which occurs when sunlight filters through an open tree canopy, creating a constantly shifting pattern of light and shadow. Dappled shade provides enough energy for growth while preventing scorching.
Culinary Herbs That Flourish in Low Light
Many of the most popular culinary herbs, prized for their leaves, prefer a break from intense, all-day sun exposure, making them ideal candidates for partial or dappled shade. These herbs often develop larger, more tender leaves in cooler, less-lit environments. Reduced heat stress also slows the plant’s urge to bolt, or prematurely flower, which can cause the leaves to become bitter. Mint (Mentha species) performs well in areas with morning sun and afternoon shade. Growing mint in shade can temper its aggressive, rhizomatous growth habit, making it less invasive.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), both curly and flat-leaf varieties, benefits significantly from partial shade, which keeps its leaves green and tender throughout the summer. It requires consistently moist soil, a condition easier to maintain in a shaded spot where water evaporation is reduced. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) tolerate partial shade, though their production of edible flowers may be slightly reduced. The flavor of the onion-like foliage remains robust. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) also benefits from protection from the summer heat. Partial shade and cooler temperatures delay the bolting process, allowing for a longer harvest of its delicate, citrusy leaves.
Aromatic and Medicinal Herbs Suited for Shade
Beyond cooking ingredients, aromatic and medicinal herbs often prefer sheltered locations, particularly those whose active compounds are concentrated in the leaves and stems. These herbs possess a delicate chemical makeup that can be damaged by prolonged exposure to high levels of ultraviolet light. Shade helps preserve the integrity of these volatile oils and compounds, resulting in a higher-quality harvest. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, thrives in partial shade where its bright, lemon-scented foliage is less likely to scorch. Shade helps maintain the concentration of its characteristic volatile oils.
Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) prefers the cool, moist conditions of a shaded garden, allowing its fern-like leaves and anise-flavored roots to develop fully. This herb grows spindly when exposed to excessive sun. Angelica (Angelica archangelica), a towering biennial, requires dappled shade and consistent moisture to prevent its large leaves from wilting. Cooler, shaded conditions support the robust growth of its aromatic stems and roots. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) forms a fragrant groundcover used in traditional beverages. It flourishes in dense shade, where its leaves, which contain the aromatic compound coumarin, remain fresh.
Specific Growing Considerations for Shaded Areas
Cultivating herbs in low-light conditions requires adjusting standard gardening practices to compensate for environmental factors. Reduced sunlight means less heat and slower water evaporation from the soil surface. This lower evaporation rate makes managing soil moisture a primary concern to prevent root rot, a fungal condition caused by perpetually waterlogged roots.
To counter this risk, ensure proper drainage by amending the soil with coarse materials like perlite or sand before planting. Check the soil moisture by hand, applying water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, rather than watering on a schedule. The higher humidity and lower air movement common in shaded spots can create an ideal environment for fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.
To address this, ensure plants are spaced adequately to promote good air circulation around the foliage, and prune mature plants regularly to thin out dense growth. Shade-grown herbs naturally grow at a slower rate due to reduced photosynthesis, requiring significantly less fertilizer than their sun-drenched counterparts. Over-fertilizing with nitrogen can lead to weak, overly-lush growth that is more susceptible to disease, so a light application of a balanced, organic fertilizer once or twice per growing season is sufficient.