Plants That Grow Best in the Shade

Dan This Land of Ours

plants
Chives

To have a complete garden, you need herbs. Some of these do not do well in the full sun. Cathy Isom gives you some plants that grow best in the shade. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.

Plants That Grow Best in the Shade

Growing all plants in full sun isn’t always recommended for a bountiful harvest. In fact, many herbs do best in the shade.

Such as mint. It can sprawl toward the sunlight, so keep it trimmed from growing leggy. 

Though chives prefer full sun, they will tolerate a considerable amount of shade, especially in hot climates. 

Flat-leaf and Italian parsley grow best with rich, moist soil and light shade.

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.

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Tarragon is a perennial herb favored for its aromatic, licorice-flavored leaves that are used in salads, seasoning mixes and vinegars. It appreciates sun in the morning and afternoon shade.

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

Most varieties of thyme will tolerate part shade. Let the soil slightly dry out between waterings. 

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

Anise thrives in light shade and is favored for its licorice-like scent and flavor.

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.

I’m Cathy Isom…