7 Herbs That Grow in Shade – These Easy-Going Edibles Thrive in Even the Darkest Parts of Your Yard

I used to think shade was a gardening curse, but then I discovered these tough little herbs that grow in shade and don’t mind skipping the spotlight. Most of them love sinking their roots into ground beds where the shade is thick, though a few can handle a pot or some dappled light if you’re clever about it.

I’ve watched some of my friends transform their forgotten and shady patches of yard into herb havens, and I’ve got some personal tricks to share. It’s all about finding the right fit for your soil and spot. This is especially true if you’re dealing with a damp, cool nook.

Shade can throw curveballs in your game, like soggy ground or not enough sun, but that’s part of it! I bet you’re excited to explore more shade-loving plants options. Let’s take a peek at some to flesh out your garden. With a bit of trial and error, you can whip those shady areas into shape. Ready? Let’s dig in!

Best Herbs That Grow in Shade

Choosing herbs for those shady spots isn’t just about light. It’s about what your yard can offer. You want ones that like moist soil that drains well, perfect for deep shade in places like USDA growing zones 3-7, though some can stretch to zone 9 if you baby them a bit.

In-ground beds are where they shine, but pots work too if you add some gravel for drainage. These are my favorite containers for herb gardening on Amazon. I learned that the hard way after a soggy mess!

These herbs caught my eye because they’re easy to care for and bring flavor or even health perks to the table, even when the sun’s playing hard to get. I’ve mixed in some new favorites I’ve tried myself. They’re rock-solid because they roll with the dim light, making them perfect for that north side or under a big tree.

1. Mint

Mint is my go-to for shade. It loves lounging in those deep, cool spots where other plants pout. It thrives in moist, rich soil, so it’s a naturally obvious choice for shady garden beds. But mint can also handle a quite a bit of bright light if you keep the soil moist.

This perennial herb spreads like wildfire in USDA zones 3-8, especially up north where it’s cooler, and it’ll even toss out little purple flowers in summer if you let it. It's best to plant mint in a pot because it can take over your whole garden. Mint can become invasive quickly, so you should really only ever grow it in a container.

You can use mint for tea, toss it in sauces, or rub it on your arms to keep mosquitoes away. Water plants when the soil feels dry and give it a good snip now and then to keep your mint bushy. I do this all the time and it works like a charm!

Shop a wide variety of delicious mint seeds from Burpee.

2. Chives

Chives are another shade buddy, growing happy in dappled or full shade without much fuss. They like soil that drains well and do great in in-ground beds. They're hardy in USDA zones 3-9, but thrive especially where the weather is mild. This perennial herb surprises you with adorable purple flowers in late spring, which is a nice little bonus for a shady spot.

Chives add a gentle oniony zing to your dishes and are full of vitamins, which makes them perfect for sprinkling on salads. They don’t need much care, but I like to trim plants after the flowers fade to keep them looking sharp. Water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil dries out and that's about all chives need. I’ve seen them perk up a shady border where nothing else would grow.

Chives are easy to grow from seeds you can get on Amazon.

3. Parsley

Parsley is a shade sweetheart, stretching out in those deep shady nooks without any complaints. It loves rich, moist soil and does well in USDA zones 4-9, particularly in the Midwest and Northeast. This biennial gives you flat or curly leaves, depending on the cultivar. If it makes it through winter, you might see tiny yellow flowers in year two.

Parsley adds flavor to soups, can freshen your breath, and it’s loaded with vitamin C. It can grow slowly in heavy shade so I water it steadily, letting it dry out a touch between drinks. Mulch around plants to keep the roots cool. This makes a huge difference in how well your parsley will grow, especially if it gets some sun.

Start parsley plants from organic seeds you can get on Amazon.

4. Cilantro

Cilantro is a shade super trooper, doing fine in partial to full shade as long as the soil stays moist. It’s a star across USDA zones 3-11, shining in milder coastal spots. This herb will pop out small white flowers if it gets too warm. This is called bolting. Shade helps delay this common issue.

Annual cilantro brings a zesty punch to salsas or curries. The leaves give dishes a tasty a nutrient kick and it attracts good bugs to your garden as well. Cilantro can get a bit leggy in deep shade, so I pinch back plants to keep them full.

Water when the surface of the soil feels dry and sow new seeds every few weeks for a constant harvest all summer. Shade keeps cilantro leaves tender, so it's perfect for a dim corner of the garden.

Cilantro is easy to grow from seeds, like these ones from Burpee, and reseeds on its own for years of yummy harvests.

5. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a shade darling, happily soaking up dappled or deep shade when planted in moist, well-drained soil. I’ve watched lemon balm thrive under a big maple tree where other plants gave up because of shade.

This perennial loves USDA zones 4-9, especially in the upper Midwest, and it sprouts tiny flowers in summer that bees adore. Its lemony smell makes it one of the best plants for tea or turn it into a calming rub for tense spots.

Despite lemon balm's potential as a stress-reliever outside of the garden, it can become a headache and take over beds like mint, which is a close relative. Plant it in a pot to control lemon balm's invasive tendencies. Water when the soil is dry an inch (2.5 cm) down and trim plants after flowers fade to keep them lush.

Want something a little different? 'Mandarina' lemon balm, which you can get from Burpee, has more of an orange citrus tang.

6. Sweet Woodruff

Sweet woodruff loves deep shade, fitting right into garden beds under trees. This underutilized herbs that grows in shade does best in USDA zones 4-8, especially in the Northeast’s cool, shady woods. It puts out small white star-shaped flowers in spring. This perennial works as a ground cover with a hay-like scent, perfect for tossing into potpourri.

It’s a low-effort herb that attracts pollinators, but it thins out if too much sun sneaks in. Keep the soil moist and add mulch to help hold in water. Cutting back sweet woodruff after blooming helps it spread. I’ve used it to fill some tough shady patches in my garden.

Buy sweet woodruff plants from Garden Goods Direct for easy planting.

7. Oregano

Oregano is a fantastic herb that grows in shade, thriving in partial to full shade with soil that drains well. It does great in USDA zones 5-9, especially in the Southeast. It produces tiny purple flowers in summer if it’s happy. This perennial adds a zesty kick to your cooking, especially Mediterranean dishes.

Oregano a little tougher than many other shade herbs, but growth slows down in deep shade. Partial light will keep plants perky. Water sparingly, letting the soil dry out between drinks. Make sure to prune after flowers fade for the season. I’ve grown it under my porch with awesome results, which proves that it’s a solid choice for shady spots.

Explore tons of tasty types of oregano to grow from seed from Burpee.