There are some herbs that thrive well in partial shade or even prefer it. In our article you will find a list of well-suited herbs for partial shade.
Are there herbs that thrive in semi-shady locations? The answer is yes! There are some herbs for partially shaded locations. We introduce you to herbs for the penumbra and inform you about their nutritional requirements. There are herbs that only need a few nutrients, as well as those that only provide a rich yield with a high supply of nutrients.
Herbs for partial shade with low nutrient requirements
The selection of semi-shade herbs that are satisfied with nutrient-poor locations is relatively small, but there are still a few special treasures among them. For example, our peat-free Plantura organic herb and seed soil is suitable for the cultivation of semi-shade herbs, as its loose structure and low fertilization is optimally adapted to the requirements of these plants.
Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium): Chervil is very suitable as a herb for the penumbra, because its small and thin leaves on sunny burn locations quickly. The usually biennial, hardy herb prefers loose, humus-rich and moist soil. With its spicy, slightly peppery taste, chervil is often used to refine soups and sauces, which is why it is also known as "soup greens".
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): Originally from the Mediterranean region, lemon balm belongs to the same plant family as rosemary and thyme. In contrast to these, it tolerates partial shade well and can stay there for up to 30 years. It is best grown in well-drained soil as it tolerates drought better than too much moisture. Above all, the leaves are used, which, in addition to the fine lemon aroma, also have many he alth-promoting ingredients.
Pimpinelle (Sanguisorba minor): The burnet is one of the rather unknown, but no less tasty and he althy herbs for partially shaded locations. Since they are rarely found in supermarkets, growing them in your own garden is all the more worthwhile. The herb, also known as "little burnet", prefers rather dry, lean and loose soil. This is why, for example, our Plantura organic herb and seed soil can be mixed with sand or crushed expanded clay to improve water permeability. Both leaves and flowers can be eaten. Their best-known use is in the Frankfurt green sauce, but they are also suitable for uncooked dishes, for example.
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum): Jiaogulan is also known as the "herb of immortality" because of its alleged anti-aging effects. It is best known in China, where many people take it in tea, for example, because of its apparently life-prolonging effect. And indeed, in the home region of Jiaogulan, a surprising number of people live to be over 100 years old. In the bed, the plant prefers semi-shady locations with nutrient-rich, moist soil: the herb still grows well even with a lower nutrient supply. Jiaogulan likes to climb, which is why growing in hanging baskets is recommended.
Garden cress (Lepidium sativum): Garden cress is said to be the fastest harvesting vegetable. Under good conditions, you can harvest the first herbs on the windowsill after just four days. Things don't go quite as quickly in the garden, but here too the cress should be ready to harvest after two weeks at the latest. Cress is very undemanding in terms of location, because it germinates and grows almost anywhere. It usually just takes a little longer in partial shade than in the sun.
Sage (Salvia): Sage actually feels most comfortable in the sun, but among the almost 900 species there are also some some suitable for planting in partial shade. For example, steppe sage (Salvia nemorosa) or Japanese sage (Salvia nipponica) also bloom whenthey are not in direct sunlight. Sage, which grows in partial shade, prefers - like most other species - dry and poor soil.
Herbs for partial shade with higher nutrient requirements
For the cultivation of the following semi-shade herbs, a rather nutrient-rich substrate is ideal, such as our Plantura organic universal soil. Chives, peppermint and co. thrive best when they are well supplied with nutrients. Our peat-free mixture not only supplies nutrients from organic fertilizer for a long time, but also effectively stores the nutrients from later fertilization.
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum): Chives are one of the most popular kitchen herbs and are almost indispensable for salads or herb quark. Growing it in your own garden is easy as long as you take care to keep the soil moist at all times. Although chives are well suited for sunny locations, there is a high risk that the soil will dry out. Chives should therefore preferably be grown in semi-shade.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): Peppermint is easy to care for and can be used if you don't watch out, quickly take the whole bed for yourself. It thrives best in nutrient-rich, humus-rich and moist substrates. If you can offer peppermint these conditions, nothing stands in the way of a rich harvest of leaves. The leaves can be used fresh or dried, for example for teas or to flavor water.
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): Parsley prefers bright locations, but does not tolerate too much heat, which is why growing parsley in semi-shade is recommended is more suitable. There the parsley should stand on a loose, nutrient-rich and rather moist soil. The typical penumbra herb is not only used by us to refine and decorate many dishes, but also enjoys great popularity worldwide: For example in Arabic tabbouleh or in French persillade. Parsley is suitable both for herb beds in partial shade and for cultivation in pots as an herb for partially shaded balconies.
Caraway (Carum carvi): Caraway is also one of oursnative wild perennial that can be found in nature, especially on rather dry meadows. In the garden, caraway prefers loamy, not too acidic soil. To raise the pH of the soil, you can mix it with lime, for example. In terms of nutrient supply, caraway is relatively frugal, because although it is happy about a large supply, it can also get by with little. Because cumin is a biennial herb, the seeds cannot be harvested until the second year of cultivation.
Perilla/ Red Shiso (Perilla frutescens): Perilla is an annual herb that is widely used in Asian cuisine . It needs little sun and is relatively starved of nutrients compared to other herbs. Therefore, attention should be paid to a nutrient-rich substrate for cultivation. If you're a fan of sushi, it's definitely worth growing because in Japan the penumbra herb is used a lot for it.
Lovage (Levisticum officinale): The lovage, also known as "maggi herb", is an excellent herb for the partial shade. The term "herb" is a bit of a misnomer here, however, as it's a perennial herb that typically grows over a meter tall. Lovage is one of the heavy feeders and prefers light, calcareous soil. Maggi herb is often used to replace the well-known condiment of its namesake. Incidentally, the seasoning sauce contains no lovage and yet the taste of the herb comes pretty close to that of the sauce.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus): Even if tarragon prefers sunny, nutrient-rich locations, the herb does well in partially shaded locations that are slightly leaner and drier. In addition, tarragon is one of the hardy herbs and will delight you for several years with its versatile leaves that can be used in the kitchen.
Tip: Tarragon is ideal for seasoning grilled food such as meat and fish. We recommend other herbs for grilling.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Chamomile is one of the best-known medicinal herbs. Its flowers are used, for example, for teas for stomach problems or for anti-inflammatory ointments. in theIn the garden, the medicinal herb does well in partially shaded locations as long as it is supplied with sufficient nutrients and water and is allowed to grow in rather loamy substrates.
If your garden also has some sunny or shady corners, you can read more about our articles herbs for sunny spots and herbs for shady spots.