Most vegetable gardens are planted in sunny spots but what if your garden lives in partial shade, under trees, or between buildings? Don’t give up just yet.
While fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers crave the sun, many leafy and root vegetables are adapted to lower light and can flourish with just 3–5 hours of direct sunlight or dappled light throughout the day.
This guide walks you through 20 vegetables that not only tolerate shade but actually perform well in it, with complete growing and harvesting advice.
#1. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Lettuce thrives in cooler, partially shaded spaces, which helps prevent bolting and bitterness. You’ll get crisp, tender leaves full of water, folate, and vitamin K.
It loves rich, loose soil with consistent moisture and benefits from mulch to keep roots cool. Plant in early spring or fall for best results.
Harvest outer leaves when young, or cut the whole head before the center starts to elongate. In shadier beds, you’ll often get sweeter, slower-growing leaves with great texture.
#2. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach is a cool-season favorite that grows beautifully in shaded areas, where lower light slows bolting. Its nutrient-rich leaves are loaded with iron, calcium, and antioxidants.
It does best in moist, fertile soil and benefits from regular watering. Shade extends its growing season into late spring or early fall.
Begin harvesting baby leaves as soon as they reach 3 inches tall, or let them mature fully. Frequent picking encourages regrowth and helps maintain a sweeter, milder taste.
#3. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
Kale handles shade with ease, tolerating cooler temperatures and reduced sunlight. This steady grower offers nutrient-packed leaves full of vitamins A, C, and K.
Partial shade helps prevent summer bitterness and keeps leaves tender. Plant in moist, well-draining soil and keep it evenly watered.
Begin harvesting the lower leaves when they reach about 6–8 inches in length, always leaving the center intact. The more you harvest, the more it grows, making kale a gift that keeps giving.
#4. Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. cicla)
Swiss chard’s tolerance for partial shade makes it a star in cooler, lower-light gardens. Its vibrant leaves and colorful stems are edible, nutrient-rich, and high in magnesium, iron, and vitamin K.
It prefers loose, fertile soil and benefits from steady watering to keep leaves lush. Snip off outer stalks as needed, and the center will continue to produce for months.
In the shade, the leaves are smaller but sweeter, and the plant bolts more slowly than in full sun.
#5. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)
Arugula grows fast in partial shade, where it develops milder, more tender leaves compared to sun-grown crops. Its peppery greens offer a boost of vitamin C and flavor to salads or sandwiches.
Plant it in early spring or late summer in moist, well-draining soil. Shade helps extend the harvest season by preventing early bolting.
Begin harvesting individual leaves when they’re about 3–4 inches long. Regular picking encourages new growth and helps maintain a better flavor profile.
#6. Mustard Greens (Brassica juncea)
Mustard greens prefer cooler temperatures and grow well in partial shade, where they produce tender, less pungent leaves. These leafy greens are rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin A.
Plant in moist, fertile soil, ideally in early spring or fall. Water regularly to keep leaves from getting tough.
Harvest baby greens for salads or wait until they’re 6–8 inches tall for cooking. The younger the leaves, the milder the flavor and the smoother the texture.
#7. Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Beets grow slower in the shade, but both their roots and greens thrive in cooler soil. Shade helps maintain soil moisture and reduces bolting in warm weather.
The edible roots are rich in folate and nitrates, while the leafy tops are full of vitamins. Plant in loose, well-drained soil and keep beds evenly moist.
Harvest greens anytime after they mature, and pull roots when they reach 2–3 inches in diameter. Shade-grown beets are tender and deeply colored.
#8. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Radishes grow surprisingly well in partial shade, especially in spring or fall gardens. Shade keeps them from bolting and helps the roots stay tender.
Both the roots and leafy tops are edible and rich in vitamin C. Sow in well-drained soil with consistent watering.
You can harvest radishes in as little as 25 days, once the roots are plump. Avoid leaving them too long, as they can become woody. Quick and satisfying, they’re great for beginners.
#9. Green Onions (Allium fistulosum)
Green onions are excellent for low-light gardens, thriving with as little as 3–4 hours of sun. Their long, tender stalks and small bulbs are rich in sulfur compounds and vitamin C.
They grow well in containers or borders with moist, fertile soil. Plant in early spring and keep the soil damp but not soggy.
Harvest when stalks reach about ½ inch thick or earlier for baby scallions. Snip just above the root to allow regrowth.
#10. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)
Broccoli grows best in cooler conditions, making partial shade ideal in late spring or early fall. The edible flower heads and stems are high in fiber, calcium, and antioxidants.
Plant in fertile, nitrogen-rich soil and keep well-watered. Shade protects broccoli from bolting and pest pressure.
Harvest the central head when it’s tight and firm, usually before yellow flowers form. Side shoots will often continue producing smaller heads after the main harvest.
#11. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
Cauliflower thrives in filtered sunlight or cooler partial shade, which helps prevent stress and poor head formation. It’s best grown in early spring or fall with consistent moisture.
The edible white curd is rich in vitamin C and fiber. Plant in fertile, rich soil with mulch to retain moisture.
Tie outer leaves over the head to blanch it and prevent discoloration. Harvest when heads are tight, white, and about 6–8 inches wide.
#12. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata)
Cabbage tolerates partial shade well, especially in spring or fall. Shade slows growth slightly but promotes tighter, firmer heads.
The edible leaves are full of fiber, vitamin K, and gut-healthy compounds. Plant in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and water regularly.
Give the heads room to expand, and harvest once they feel dense and heavy for their size. Cut at the base and leave the root to possibly sprout smaller side heads.
#13. Turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa)
Turnips enjoy cool temperatures and will grow reliably in partial shade, especially when planted early or late in the season.
Both the roots and leafy greens are edible and high in vitamin C and potassium. Plant in loose, well-drained soil and water frequently.
Harvest greens when young and tender, and pull roots once they reach golf ball to tennis ball size. In shade, the flavor is often milder, and the texture is smoother.
#14. Peas (Pisum sativum)
Peas benefit from cooler, shady conditions that reduce heat stress and keep vines from drying out. They’re high in protein, fiber, and B-vitamins.
Plant in early spring in well-drained soil with trellises for support. While they prefer 4–6 hours of sun, dappled light works too.
Pick pods when plump and still tender, frequent harvesting encourages more flowers and pods. Shade may delay flowering slightly, but the plants will often produce longer into the season.
#15. Leeks (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum)
Leeks are slow growers that do well in cooler, shaded beds. Their thick white stems are mildly sweet and high in flavonoids and prebiotics.
Plant in rich, loose soil with room to hill up soil around the base for blanching. Keep the area moist and weed-free.
Harvest once the shanks are thick and white, usually after 90–120 days. Shade encourages tender growth and reduces risk of sun damage or premature drying.
#16. Endive (Cichorium endivia)
Endive prefers filtered sunlight, which tames its natural bitterness and slows bolting. Its curly or broad leaves are rich in folate and vitamin A.
Sow in well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture. Shade-grown endive produces sweeter, softer heads.
You can cut individual leaves for salads or harvest the whole head once it reaches 8–10 inches wide. For even milder flavor, cover or tie up outer leaves to blanch the center before picking.
#17. Pak Choi / Bok Choy (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis)
Pak choi thrives in partial shade, where cooler temperatures slow bolting and keep leaves juicy. Its crisp white stems and tender green leaves are high in calcium, vitamin A, and folate.
Plant in moist, fertile soil with regular watering and mulch to protect the roots.
Harvest baby bok choy after 30 days or let it mature fully in 45–60 days. Shade improves texture and flavor, especially during warmer months.
#18. Mizuna (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica)
Mizuna is a Japanese mustard green that thrives in dappled light or light shade. It’s quick-growing, with deeply serrated leaves packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.
Shade keeps the flavor mellow and the leaves tender. Sow in early spring or late summer in fertile soil.
Harvest baby leaves after 20–25 days or full heads around 45 days. The plant regrows well after cutting, especially when picked early and often.
#19. Mâche / Corn Salad (Valerianella locusta)
Mâche is a shade-loving European green that prefers cool, moist environments. Its delicate rosettes are rich in omega-3s, vitamin C, and iron.
Plant in early spring or late summer in fertile, well-drained soil. Keep beds evenly moist and avoid summer heat.
Harvest when leaves form a full rosette, around 3–4 inches across. Pick entire heads or cut individual leaves to allow regrowth. Shade helps prolong the harvest window and prevents bitterness.
#20. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley grows surprisingly well in partial shade, especially in hot climates. The leaves and stems are flavorful and packed with vitamins C and K.
Sow in rich, moist soil and be patient as parsley can take 2–3 weeks to germinate. Once established, harvest outer stems regularly to encourage bushy regrowth.
Shade-grown parsley tends to be more tender and less prone to drying out or yellowing in summer heat.
