When growing edible plants like vegetables, fruit, and herbs, finding a full-sun location is an important first step. Edible gardens should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to support healthy plant growth and productivity.
However, sometimes there is no full-sun location available in the landscape. In these situations, what can be done? While maximizing sunlight exposure is key, a few edibles can tolerate partial sun. No vegetable, fruit, or herb will be productive in full shade. In these situations, buying produce from a local farmer's market is a better use of your time and money. But if you have an area that receives partial sun (4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily), you may be able to grow some edibles with moderate success.
Considerations When Attempting to Grow Edibles in the Partial Shade
What to Expect
When growing vegetables and other edible plants in less-than-ideal light conditions, it will take plants longer to produce a crop. Additionally, the colors of vegetable foliage and many herbs will be more muted. Flavors may be less intense, and the foliage may be larger and less turgid.
Use Leaf-Harvested Vegetables, Not Flowers & Fruit
In general, vegetables and edible plants where leaves are harvested will be more productive in part shade than those that must flower and develop fruit. Leaning into the leafy greens and some herbs will be more successful than growing tomatoes or cucumbers.
Try Cool-Season Crops in the Heat of Summer
Some cool-season vegetables may perform a little better in the middle of summer (July & August) in partial shade, which helps protect them from the hot summer sun, as they don't like high temperatures. However, planting cool-season crops, like broccoli, radish, and kohlrabi, earlier in spring or later in summer for a fall harvest (and taking a break in mid-summer) is more productive than growing them in partial shade in mid-summer.
Try Containers
If a suitable garden bed cannot be found for growing edible plants, consider growing them in a container and placing it in full sun. More information about container-grown edible plants can be found in these articles:
- Container Vegetable Gardening
- Growing Tomatoes in Containers
- Growing Herbs in Containers
- Growing Strawberries in Containers
Edible Plants For Partial Shade Locations
Vegetables
| Common Name | Light Shade (4-6 hours direct sunlight) | Moderate Shade (2-4 hours direct sunlight) | Heavy Shade (<2 hours direct sunlight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | x | ||
| Beans | x | ||
| Beets | x | ||
| Bok Choi | x | x | |
| Kale | x | ||
| Lettuce | x | ||
| Mustard Greens | x | x | |
| Peas | x | ||
| Radish | x | ||
| Rhubarb | x | ||
| Sorrel | x | ||
| Spinach | x | x | |
| Swiss Chard | x |
| Common Name | Light Shade (4-6 hours direct sunlight) | Moderate Shade (2-4 hours direct sunlight) | Heavy Shade (<2 hours direct sunlight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | x | ||
| Cauliflower | x | ||
| Kale | x | ||
| Kohlrabi | x | ||
| Peas | x | ||
| Radish | x | ||
| Swiss Chard | x |
Fruits
| Common Name | Light Shade (4-6 hours direct sunlight) | Moderate Shade (2-4 hours direct sunlight) | Heavy Shade (<2 hours direct sunlight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackberries & Raspberries | x | x | |
| Currant | x | x | |
| Gooseberry | x | x | |
| Strawberry | x |
Herbs
| Common Name | Light Shade (4-6 hours direct sunlight) | Moderate Shade (2-4 hours direct sunlight) | Heavy Shade (<2 hours direct sunlight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | x | ||
| Chervil | x | ||
| Chives | x | ||
| Coriander (Cilantro) | x | ||
| Mint | x | x | |
| Parsley | x | ||
| Pineapple Sage | x | ||
| Sage | x | ||
| Scallions | x | ||
| Tarragon | x |
More Information
- Beginners Guide to Vegetable Gardening
- Growing, Harvesting, and Drying Herbs
- Planning Your Vegetable Garden
Photo credits: 1: Margaret Burlingham/AdobeStock