Herbs That Grow in Shade to Partial Sun

Most herbs need full sun, but a few can thrive in shade or partial sun, depending on regional climate conditions. For instance, an herb can grow in the full sun in the northern U.S., but may require protection from the intense summer sunlight in the South. Shade-to-partial-sun herbs can be grown alongside numerous kinds of flower plants and other shade lovers, like ferns and hostas.

Gardeners use the perennial sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) as a groundcover in shady areas with rich, moist soil. This herb grows 6 to 12 inches high, blooms star-shaped white flowers and has pointy green leaves that contain coumarin, giving the plant its vanilla scent when dry. The leaves add flavor to tea and wine and fragrance to potpourri, dyes and sachets.

Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata) is a partial-sun perennial with soft, ferny leaves and clusters of tiny, white carrot-shaped flowers that grow 3 inches wide. Hollow and slightly hairy stems complete the look. All parts of the sweet cicely herb are fragrant. Growers use the seeds and leaves in baked goods and fruit products, the dark brown seeds in breath fresheners, and cook and consume the roots as vegetables.

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) is an annual herb that grows up to 2 feet high in cool, shady areas with rich, moist soil. It blooms white flowers with dark brown seeds, and its wispy, fern-like leaves are used in soups, sauces, teas and salads. Other parts are used in herbal blends for flavoring poultry, eggs and salad. In warmer climates, growers can seed this herb in the fall for a winter garden.

Angelica (Angelica archangelica) is a perennial that's often grown as a biennial. It grows 2 to 5 feet tall in the shade in warmer climates, and produces 6 inch wide round flower heads in its second season. These flower heads bloom fragrant white-green, star-shaped flowers on top of thick stems tinged with purple. The leaves are used in soups and as sweeteners in acidic fruits, while the stems are put in salads and the seeds are often added to pastries.

Native Americans call Hierochloe odorata holy because they use it in purification rituals. The name "sweet grass" comes from the vanilla or fresh hay smell that the herb gives off due to coumarin in the bundles of bright green leaves that grow 1 foot tall. These flat leaves measure a fraction of an inch wide and are used in incense rope, basket and mat weaving. The herb grows in partial sun in areas with moist, well-drained soil and should be put in a container to confine its aggressive growth.