10 Herbs That Thrive in Shady Spots
10 Herbs That Thrive in Shady Spots
Not all of us are blessed with south-facing gardens and hours of blazing sunshine. I have an awkward spot just outside the kitchen door that only gets about two hours of sun a day — it seemed like the perfect place for herbs, but I wanted to understand what would actually grow there before planting. That curiosity sparked this blog post.
While many herbs love full sun, some not only tolerate but actually prefer a bit of shade. Whether you’re working with dappled light, partial shade, or a morning-sun-only nook, here are 10 herbs that grow well in shady or semi-shaded areas — ideal for tucking into corners of your garden, under trees, or around taller plants.
While many herbs love full sun, not all gardens are blessed with south-facing beds. If you’re working with dappled light, partial shade, or even a spot that only gets morning sun, don’t despair — there are plenty of herbs that not only tolerate but actually prefer a bit of shade.
Here’s our pick of 10 herbs that grow well in shady or semi-shaded areas, ideal for tucking into corners of your garden, under trees, or around taller plants.
1. Mint
Mint is incredibly adaptable and actually prefers some shade to prevent it from drying out or becoming leggy. It grows vigorously, so consider planting in a pot to keep it from spreading.
Uses: teas, sauces, salads, and desserts.
2. Parsley
Flat-leaf or curly parsley does well with 3–4 hours of sunlight and will stay lush longer if protected from intense heat.
Uses: garnishes, tabbouleh, soups, and pesto.
3. Chervil
Often overlooked, chervil has a mild aniseed flavour and grows beautifully in cooler, shadier spots — in fact, it bolts quickly in heat.
Uses: salads, soups, herb butter, egg dishes.
4. Coriander (Cilantro)
Coriander can struggle in direct sun, especially in summer. A bit of shade keeps it leafy for longer before it bolts.
Uses: curries, chutneys, salads, and dressings.
5. Lemon Balm
With a gentle lemon scent, this member of the mint family grows happily in partial shade. Keep it trimmed to avoid legginess.
Uses: teas, desserts, herbal remedies.
6. Sorrel
This tangy, citrus-flavoured herb does well in cooler, moist soil — ideal for shade.
Uses: soups, sauces, omelettes, and fresh salads.
7. Lovage
A tall, celery-flavoured perennial that tolerates shade well and adds height to shady corners.
Uses: stocks, stews, savoury salads.
8. Sweet Cicely
With a delicate fern-like leaf and a sweet anise flavour, it loves semi-shade and moist soil.
Uses: fruit dishes, crumbles, herbal teas.
9. Wild Garlic (Ramsons)
A native woodland herb that thrives in shade and moist soil. Sow in autumn or source potted plants.
Uses: pesto, compound butter, risottos.
10. Dill (in summer)
In hot months, dill benefits from partial shade to avoid bolting — especially when sown successionally.
Uses: pickles, potato salad, fish dishes.
Tips for Growing Herbs in Shade:
- Soil: Improve drainage with compost or leaf mould.
- Watering: Shady areas stay damp longer, so water less frequently but consistently.
- Harvesting: Pick regularly to keep growth compact and productive.
With the right herbs, a shady nook can become a surprisingly productive part of your plot — fragrant, edible, and full of character. Try mixing leafy herbs with shade-tolerant flowers for a lush, useful corner that’s anything but dull.
