25+ herbs that grow in shade

Wasabi is a true shade-loving herb. Direct sunlight can cause an otherwise happy wasabi plant to wither and droop. It is much easier to grow your wasabi from an existing plant than to find and grow it from seed.

Wasabi is well known for its role as a spicy condiment alongside sushi rolls in Japanese cuisine. Fresh wasabi has a strong but short-lived flavor. Wasabi is similar in taste to horseradish, and so horseradish is a used common wasabi substitute in pre-prepared “wasabi” (as opposed to true, freshly-made wasabi paste).

4. Cilantro

Cilantro is a fresh green culinary herb grown as an annual. Both Cilantro and Coriander come from the same plant (Coriandrum sativum). Cilantro is the leafy portion of the coriander plant while the rounded seeds are more commonly referred to as Coriander.

Both the leaves and stems of Cilantro plants can be finely chopped and added to recipes. While you can certainly let your plant go to seed and produce coriander seeds, it’s generally easiest just to grow it for the fresh green cilantro leaves if the plant is to be grown in the shade as these plants don’t flower as well in shaded areas.

• Santo Cilantro Seeds from Hoss Garden Seeds
• Heirloom Cilantro Seeds from Botanical Interests

Cilantro is most commonly used in Latin American cooking, such as in fresh pico de gallo salsas and hearty southwest salads. Coriander seeds are most commonly dried and ground for use in Indian cuisine.

5. Sorrel

Sorrel is a medium-sized leafy green culinary herb. This herb does best in cool conditions – both in terms of flavor and ease of growing the plants. Sorrel is best grown from seeds rather than trying to find baby sorrel plants.

Sorrel is most commonly used to add some zip to fresh salads, soups, and sauces. Sorrel has a sour, tangy flavor. It’s often used alongside mild-flavored foods such as poached fish or boiled potatoes.

6. French tarragon

French Tarragon is a medium-sized shrubby perennial herb. While tarragon does grow best in sun, it will tolerate shade if other conditions are favorable.

French tarragon can only be grown from divisions of existing plants (it spreads in clumps, but the flowers/seeds are sterile). Take care to look for “French Tarragon” plants (Artemisia dracunculus ‘sativa‘) as there are many less-flavorful tarragons that are quite commonly sold.

Tarragon is frequently featured in French cuisine and can be used to flavor meat, eggs, or sauces. Tarragon-infused vinegar is used for fresh salad dressings and other sauces. Tarragon can even be used to make compound butter which is excellent for cooking veggies.

7. Lemon balm

Lemon balm is a perennial herb grown for its green-scented leaves. This hardy plant does like some sun, but like its mint cousins, is certainly capable of thriving even in a shady corner. Lemon balm is quite an enthusiastic grower and is easiest to contain if grown in a pot (especially if your herb garden is partial shade/partial sun).

Lemon balm is used in tea blends, as it has a lovely flavor and complements other herbs quite well. It is also grown to attract bees to the garden.

8. Dill

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