30 Beautiful And Beneficial Plants That Grow In The Shade | Herbs, Veggies, Fruits, And Shrubs!

Think shade means giving up on fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and gorgeous flowers? Think again! These 30 incredible plants that grow in the shade will turn those problem spots into your garden’s most productive and beautiful areas. We cover the full spectrum of shade-tolerant plant life, from flavor-packed herbs that prefer filtered light to stunning flowers that glow in dappled sunshine.

Veggie garden with lovely plants growing in sunlight and shade.

Sound interesting?

Then, let’s grow some plants in your yard’s shadiest spots!

30 Beautiful Plants That Grow In The Shade

Any of these 30 shade-tolerant plants is perfect for even the dimmest corner of your backyard garden.

1. Lungwort (Pulmonaria)

Flowering lungwort with variegated leaves and gorgeous pink flowers.

This speckled-leaf charmer is like having a living piece of art in your garden. The silvery spots on its leaves catch what little light filters through, while early spring flowers feed hungry pollinators when not much else is blooming. Plus, it’s practically indestructible once established!

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 3 through 8.
Plant Size: Typically grows 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads roughly 12 to 24 inches wide.
Sunlight Needs: 2 to 4 hours daily. Partial to full shade.

Lungword isn’t the fanciest plant. But it provides early spring nectar for bees and hummingbirds. It’s also rabbit and deer-resistant, making it a resilient choice for shade gardens.

2. Alpine Strawberry

Lovely alpine strawberry plant growing in the backyard garden.

Forget those giant, flavorless grocery store berries – alpine strawberries pack incredible flavor into tiny packages. They’ll happily carpet your yard’s shady spots with delicate white flowers and produce sweet treats all season long. Kids love hunting for these hidden gems!

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 3a through 10.
Plant Size: Compact perennials with a bushy habit, typically reaching 8 to 18 inches in height.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Partial shade to full sun.

The berries have a yummy strawberry flavor and can be used fresh or in desserts. The edible flowers add aesthetic value, and the plant’s compact size makes it suitable for containers or small garden spaces.

3. Chives

Lovely blooming chive plant growing in a small raised garden bed or planter.

These purple-flowered beauties are the ultimate low-maintenance herb, thriving in part shade while keeping aphids away from nearby plants. Snip them regularly for that perfect onion bite in everything from scrambled eggs to potato salad. The flowers are edible, too, and make gorgeous garnishes!

USDA Zones: Suitable for zones 3 through 9.
Plant Size: Forms clumps of slender bulbs with tubular, greenish-blue leaves reaching roughly 10 to 15 inches in height.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Chives are a hardy, easy-to-grow herb that enhances countless dishes with a mild onion flavor. Their blooms attract pollinators and repel pests, making them beneficial for both culinary and garden health.

4. Nasturtium

Beautiful orange nasturtium flowers growing in the garden.

Talk about edible landscaping! These climbing beauties will scramble up trellises in partial shade, producing peppery leaves and vibrant flowers that taste like watercress with a kick. They’re natural pest deterrents and self-seed readily, so you’ll have volunteers for years.

USDA Zones: Typically grown as an annual, but can be a perennial in zones 9 through 11.
Plant Size: Bush types grow approximately 12 inches tall and 2 feet wide while climbing varieties can reach roughly 6 to 10 feet in height.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Nasturtium flowers and leaves are delightfully edible. They add a zesty, peppery flavor to salads and other dishes. Nasturtiums also attract pollinators and can act as a superb trap crop for pests, protecting other plants.

5. Ivy (English or Boston)

Gorgeous and elegant green English Ivy and variegated ivy hedera helix growing in the shadow garden.

While often maligned, ivy is a wildlife powerhouse when appropriately managed. It provides crucial late-season nectar for pollinators and winter shelter for birds. Just keep it contained and appreciate its ability to green up those impossible-to-plant vertical spaces.

USDA Zones: Boston Ivy thrives in zones 4 through 8, while English Ivy is hardy in zones 5 through 9.
Plant Size: Boston Ivy can grow 30 to 50 feet long, whereas English Ivy typically reaches 20 to 80 feet in length.
Sunlight Needs: 2 to 4 hours daily. Partial shade to full shade.

Both ivies are excellent groundcovers or climbing vines for shaded areas. They provide habitat for wildlife and can help insulate buildings when grown on walls.

6. Blueberry

Ripe blueberries growing on the shrub in the backyard garden.

Yes, you can grow blueberries in partial shade! While you might get slightly fewer berries, you’ll still harvest plenty of antioxidant-rich fruit. The spring flowers are gorgeous, the fall color is spectacular, and birds will thank you for the feast.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 3 through 10, depending on the variety.
Plant Size: Varies by type. Highbush varieties can reach 6 to 12 feet tall, while lowbush types grow 1 to 2 feet tall.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun preferred. Tolerates part shade.

Blueberries are nutritious fruits high in antioxidants. The plants also provide ornamental value with their attractive foliage and flowers.

7. Collard Greens

Freshly organic collard greens harvested from the garden.

These sturdy Southern favorites prefer some shade protection from the scorching summer sun. The large, paddle-shaped leaves are nutritional powerhouses packed with vitamins A, C, and K. Harvest outer leaves continuously, and they’ll keep producing well into winter.

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 6a through 11a.
Plant Size: Usually grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade

Collard greens are a nutritious leafy vegetable rich in vitamins A, C, and K. They are tolerant of light frosts, which can enhance their flavor.

8. Lemon Balm

Lovely Melissa plant or lemon balm growing in the garden.

This lemony-scented mint relative is pure sunshine in plant form, brightening shady corners with its cheerful fragrance. It’s perfect for herbal teas, attracts beneficial insects, and has a calming effect that makes it worth growing to brush against while walking by.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 9.
Plant Size: Grows 24 to 36 inches tall and forms a bushy clump.
Sunlight Needs: 3 to 6 hours daily. Partial shade to full sun.

Lemon balm leaves are ideal for crafting calming teas and adding flavor to dishes. The plant also attracts pollinators and can have mild pest-repelling properties.

9. Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos Spectabilis)

Blooming bleeding heart plants growing in the wildflower meadow.

These romantic heart-shaped flowers dangling from arching stems are pure garden magic. They thrive in shade and provide early-season color when most other perennials are just waking up. The ferny foliage stays attractive even after flowers fade.

USDA Zones: Suitable for zones 3 through 9.
Plant Size: Typically grows up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 2 to 4 hours daily. Partial to full shade.

It adds ornamental value to shade gardens and attracts pollinators, such as hummingbirds.

10. Kale

Green kale plant leaves growing in the garden.

The shade improves kale by keeping the leaves tender and sweet rather than bitter. This nutritional superstar comes in amazing varieties – from frilly ‘Red Russian’ to dinosaur-textured ‘Lacinato.’ Harvest baby leaves for salads or mature ones for cooking.

USDA Zones: Grows well in zones 7 through 10.
Plant Size: Varies by variety. It can grow 12 to 36 inches tall.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Massage raw kale leaves with a pinch of salt and olive oil for 30 seconds to break down the tough fibers for a better salad.

11. Parsley

Green healthy parsley growing in the garden and ready for harvest.

This kitchen essential thrives in partial shade and cool conditions. Flat-leaf varieties have more flavor for cooking, while curly types make beautiful edible borders. It’s a host plant for swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, so you might get some gorgeous visitors!

USDA Zones: Parsley thrives in zones 4 through 9.
Plant Size: Typically grows 10 to 12 inches tall and 8 to 10 inches wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

This is the primary host plant for black swallowtail butterflies, so don’t worry if you see striped caterpillars munching away.

12. Japanese Anemone

A Pink Japanese Anemone flower growing in a small rural garden.

These late-blooming beauties save the day when most shade perennials are winding down. Their delicate pink or white flowers dance on tall stems in fall breezes, providing crucial late-season nectar for pollinators preparing for winter.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 8.
Plant Size: Grows 2 to 4 feet tall and spreads 1 to 2 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 3 to 5 hours daily. Partial shade.

Their tall, swaying stems create beautiful movement and vertical interest in any corner of your yard.

13. Radishes

Organic radish growing in the backyard garden.

Quick-growing radishes prefer partial shade in hot climates, where full sun makes them bolt to seed before developing good roots. Plant them as gap-fillers between slower crops – you’ll be crunching fresh radishes in just 30 days!

USDA Zones: Suitable for zones 2 through 10.
Plant Size: Typically grows 6 to 12 inches tall, with roots varying in size depending on the variety.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Succession plant radishes every two weeks for continuous harvests, and don’t forget the leaves are edible and great in stir-fries.

14. Sweet Potato Greens

Sweet potato plants growing on the edge of potato farm rows.

While the tubers need sun, you can grow sweet potato plants in partial shade just for their nutritious leaves. These heart-shaped greens are packed with vitamins and taste like a cross between spinach and sweet potato. They’re beautiful as ornamental vines, too!

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 8 through 11.
Plant Size: Vines can spread 3 to 20 feet. The full size depends on the cultivar and growing conditions.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Sweet potato leaves are edible and rich in A and C vitamins. They can be sautéed, steamed, or used in soups. The plant also produces deliciously edible tubers!

15. Swiss Chard

Lovely Swiss Chard plants with red and green leaves growing in a raised garden bed.

With stems in rainbow colors and glossy, crinkled leaves, Swiss chard is like growing stained glass windows. It thrives in partial shade and provides continuous harvests – just cut the outer leaves, and the center keeps producing. The stems are delicious when sautéed separately!

USDA Zones: Grows well in zones 3 through 10.
Plant Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet tall and spreads about 1 foot wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Rainbow chard varieties create living artwork with stems in gold, pink, red, and white that glow in filtered light.

16. Mint

Small mint plant growing in a forgotten garden corner.

Every shade garden needs mint for mojitos and tea! Its aggressive spreading nature is perfect for filling difficult spots where other plants struggle. Just give it boundaries (or its container) and enjoy the fresh fragrance every time you brush past.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 3 through 11, depending on the variety.
Plant Size: Usually grows 1 to 2 feet tall. It can also spread extensively through rhizomes.
Sunlight Needs: 3 to 6 hours daily. Partial shade to full sun.

Grow your mint in a buried pot or container to prevent it from taking over your entire shade garden.

17. Native Viburnum (Arrowwood Viburnum)

White flower clusters of an autumn jazz viburnum plant.

These native shrubs are wildlife magnets, providing flowers for pollinators, berries for birds, and shelter for beneficial insects. Many species thrive in partial shade and offer beautiful fall color as a bonus. They’re the backbone of a wildlife-friendly garden.

USDA Zones: Varies by species. Many native viburnums thrive in zones 2 through 9.
Plant Size: Shrubs can range from 8 to 12 feet in height and width. The mature size depends on the variety.
Sunlight Needs: 3 to 5 hours daily. Partial shade.

The berries also feed dozens of hungry bird species, making this shrub a crucial food source for migrating songbirds.

18. Spinach

Mulching the backyard vegetable patch with straw.

Cool-season spinach prefers partial shade, especially as the weather warms up. It’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can grow, and baby leaves make incredible salads. Plant succession crops for continuous harvests from spring through fall.

USDA Zones: Suitable for zones 2 through 9.
Plant Size: Grows 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads about 6 inches wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Start spinach seeds in late summer for autumn and winter harvests when cool weather makes leaves the sweetest and most tender.

19. Oregano

Bright green and healthy oregano plant growing in the backyard herb garden.

While it won’t be quite as potent as full-sun-grown oregano, this Mediterranean herb still develops plenty of flavor in partial shade. It spreads nicely as a ground cover and produces small flowers that bees love. Fresh oregano makes everything taste like a vacation!

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 10.
Plant Size: Usually grows around 1 to 2 feet tall. It can easily spread 1 to 2 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Oregano is a delicious staple in Mediterranean cuisine, adding epic flavor to a wide range of dishes. Its flowers also attract pollinators, including a variety of backyard bees.

20. Rhubarb

Fresh rhubarb plant growing in the spring garden.

These architectural beauties, with their massive leaves and ruby stalks, are perfect for filling substantial space in partial shade. Once established, they’re virtually maintenance-free and provide tart stalks for pies and jams for decades. Just remember – leaves are toxic, and stalks are delicious!

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 3 through 8.
Plant Size: Usually 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Stalks are edible and commonly used in pies, jams, and sauces. The plant is long-lived and adds architectural interest to gardens.

21. Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera Macrophylla)

Beautiful Siberian Bugloss plant blooming with lovely flowers.

The heart-shaped leaves with silver markings make this plant a shade garden standout even when it’s not blooming. Spring brings clouds of tiny blue flowers that look like forget-me-nots, creating a dreamy carpet under trees and shrubs.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 3 through 8.
Plant Size: Typically 1 or 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 2 to 4 hours daily. Partial to full shade.

The variegated varieties with silver leaf markings create stunning bright spots that illuminate dark corners year-round.

22. Stinking Iris (Iris Foetidissima)

A lovely stinking iris plant on a frosty winter morning.

Don’t let the name fool you – this iris is gorgeous! The orange-red seeds that split open from pods in fall are stunning and perfect for indoor arrangements. It’s one of the few irises that prefer shade, providing year-round interest.

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 6 through 9.
Plant Size: Forms clumps approximately 2 to 3 feet tall and wide.
Sunlight Needs: 2 to 4 hours daily. Partial to full shade.

Stinking iris sports beautiful evergreen foliage and colorful seed pods. It also supports wildlife by providing food for birds and attracting pollinators.

23. Bush Beans

Bush beans growing in the backyard garden.

These compact protein powerhouses will produce surprisingly well in partial shade, though you might wait a bit longer for harvest. They don’t need staking like pole beans and benefit from afternoon shade protection in hot climates. Fresh beans beat store-bought every time!

USDA Zones: Suitable for zones 3 through 10.
Plant Size: Compact plants reach about 18 to 24 inches tall.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Pick beans when the pods snap crisply and the seeds are small for the most tender texture and sweetest flavor.

24. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)

Gorgeous heuchera or coral bells growing in a fancy terracotta flower pot.

With foliage colors ranging from bright lime green to deep burgundy, coral bells are like having a living paint palette in your shade garden. The delicate flower spikes attract hummingbirds, and the colorful leaves provide interest from spring through fall.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 9.
Plant Size: Can grow 1 to 2 feet tall and wide.
Sunlight Needs: 3 to 5 hours daily. Partial shade to full shade.

Layer different colored varieties at varying heights to create a living tapestry of foliage textures and hues.

25. American Beautyberry (Callicarpa Americana)

Gorgeous beautyberry shrub with dense purple or pinkish berries.

This native shrub produces the most incredible purple berries you’ve ever seen – they look almost artificial! Birds love them, and the berries persist into winter for continued interest. It’s adaptable to various light conditions and adds unique color to shade plantings.

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 7 through 11.
Plant Size: Grows 5 to 8 feet tall and wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Partial shade to full sun.

These epic berries attract birds and can be used to make jellies. The leaves also contain compounds that repel mosquitoes.

26. Cilantro

Fresh green cilantro plants growing in the garden.

Heat-sensitive cilantro prefers some shade protection, especially in summer. This love-it-or-hate-it herb is essential for fresh salsas, Asian dishes, and Mexican cuisine. Let some plants go to seed for coriander spice – it’s like getting two herbs for the price of one!

USDA Zones: Grows well in zones 2 through 11.
Plant Size: Reaches 1 to 2 feet tall and about 1 foot wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Plant every 3 to 4 weeks from spring through fall since it bolts quickly in heat but grows steadily in cool weather.

27. Sage

Thick sage plants growing in a food forest garden.

While it won’t be as intensely flavored as full-sun sage, this herb still develops enough aromatic oils in partial shade to be used for cooking. The silvery-gray leaves are beautiful, and some varieties produce stunning flower spikes that attract beneficial insects and hummingbirds.

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 10.
Plant Size: Grows approximately 18 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Dry your silvery sage leaves by hanging bundles upside down for a fragrant, long-lasting herb that’s perfect for winter cooking.

28. Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)

The yellow blooming Lindera Benzoin spicebush growing in the wild.

This native understory shrub serves as a host plant for spicebush swallowtail butterflies and produces aromatic leaves that were once used as a substitute for spices. The bright yellow fall color is spectacular, and red berries feed migrating birds. It’s perfect for naturalizing shady areas.

USDA Zones: Thrives in zones 4 through 9.
Plant Size: Usually grows 6 to 12 feet tall by 6 to 12 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 2 to 4 hours daily. Partial to full shade.

Both the berries and leaves serve as wildlife food sources, supporting spicebush swallowtail caterpillars and dozens of backyard bird species.

29. Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis Baileyi)

Beautiful Himalayan blue poppy flower growing in the garden.

The holy grail of shade gardening! These ethereal blue flowers are breathtaking and practically glow in dappled shade. They’re challenging to grow but worth every effort for that otherworldly blue color that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the plant kingdom.

USDA Zones: Best suited for zones 5 through 7.
Plant Size: Grows 2 to 4 feet tall and about 1 to 2 feet wide.
Sunlight Needs: 3 to 5 hours daily. Partial shade.

These temperamental beauties need consistent moisture and cool temperatures – think of them as the orchids of the shade garden.

30. Thyme

Lovely thyme flower acting as a beautiful and colorful groundcover crop.

While sun-loving thyme won’t be as potent in shade, many varieties will still produce enough aromatic oils for cooking. Creeping varieties make excellent ground covers between stepping stones, releasing fragrance when stepped on. Bees and beneficial insects also love the tiny flowers!

USDA Zones: Hardy in zones 4 through 9.
Plant Size: Varies by species; creeping varieties grow about 3 inches tall and spread 12 to 18 inches wide.
Sunlight Needs: 4 to 6 hours daily. Full sun to partial shade.

Plant creeping thyme between stepping stones where foot traffic will release its aromatic oils and create natural pest deterrence.

Conclusion

Fresh and healthy plants growing in a backyard garden plot with dappled shade.

Who says plants that grow in the shade have to be boring or unproductive? This fantastic collection proves that shadier spots can burst with flavor, color, and life! From your morning coffee enhanced with fresh mint to evening salads packed with homegrown greens, these shade-loving champions will keep your kitchen stocked and your garden gorgeous all season long.

What about you?

Do you have an area in your backyard that doesn’t get enough sunlight?
Will you try growing some of these shade-tolerant plants?
Which shady plants will you try growing first?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!