Shade Tolerant Plants

By: Woody Wilson

A full sun garden spot is the envy of many a gardener. As photosynthetic beings, plants require sunlight to create energy, though the amount of sunlight needed to grow differs from plant to plant. Plants that produce fruits are often ruled out of a shady garden first. Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Eggplants require long amounts of light to produce their high energy using fruits.

The greens and roots growing in this cold frame are all shade tolerant.

Many of the plants that grow well under low light conditions are greens, a large majority of them being cold hardy as well. Cold hardy greens not only grow when the temperature is low, but in low light conditions. Some great green options for a low light garden are: Spinach, Arugula, Kale, Lettuces, Maché, Claytonia, Chard, Endive, Escarole, and Mustard greens. 

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Root vegetables are also suited for low light gardens, Beets, Carrots, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, and Turnips will all grow, but the days for them to mature may be longer than if they had full sun. Herbs also do well under low light conditions, the perennials, such as Rosemary, Thyme, Sage, Catnip, Chives, Lemon Balm, and Mint, are designed to survive adverse conditions, Basil and Parsley,  annual herbs, also do moderately well.

The Cityscape Basic Bed: For all your green growing needs

All of these low light greens and herbs grow well in a Simple Cityscape Raised Bed. Most of these vegetables are shallow rooted and do not require excessive fertilization, making the simple bed perfect to grow your shade tolerant garden. ​Potatoes however, would grow best in a Cityscape Deep Bed. 

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