Everyone knows that plants need sunshine in order to grow – that’s a given! And for those who know anything about growing vegetables and fruits, you know that these plants tend to enjoy lots of sunshine. But there are actually some vegetables that grow well without direct sunlight, that are shade-tolerant.
A vegetable that requires full sunlight needs 6 hours of direct sunlight between 10 am and 6 pm in order to grow and thrive. Plants that enjoy partial sun need 3-6 hours of direct sunlight between 10 am and 6 pm. If your plant requires part shade, they also need 3-6 hours of sun per day, but additionally, they’ll require protection from the midday sun.
In times like these where the future isn’t certain, people are getting more interested in gardening. But what do you do if you don’t have a yard that gets full, direct sun? Give up? Nah, grow some of these shade-tolerant vegetables.
First let’s take a look at the types of veggies that prefer different sun exposure.
FULL SUN VEGETABLES
Full sun vegetables need a minimum of six hours (usually at least eight) of sunlight per day. For at least six hours, the sun should be directly shining onto the plants nearly every day of the season.
CUCUMBERS
One of the easiest to grow, cukes have very broad leafy foliage, a common trait in many full-sun plants. Care for them properly and plant them in well-drained, fertilized soil (they prefer a pH between 6 and 7). If you do so, you can expect your own yields in 50 to 70 days.
EGGPLANT
These do better in some climates than in others but are popular for early spring and late fall harvest. Not only are they tasty and nutritious, but they also display soft purple flowers and are self-pollinating.
PEPPERS
Most types of peppers prefer as much sun as they can get. Yet, extreme variation in temperature can cause the flowers to drop off and the plant to forgo producing for the year.
If you opt for growing bell peppers, water them daily as they’re highly sensitive to heat. Too much sun can cause sunscald damage which appears in the form of large, pale areas on the fruit.
SQUASH
Like cucumbers, squash plants have very broad leaves and beg for sunlight. Growing them on a trellis or stand can maximize sun exposure. Try frying squash flowers and stuffing them with ricotta for a tasty treat!
TOMATOES
Assuming plenty of water is available, tomatoes will always take as much sun as they can get. If you provide rich soil and good positioning, your tomatoes can reach a height of up to seven feet tall.
PARTIAL SUN VEGETABLES
Partial sun usually means that the plant could still do well with more sun. Whereas partial shade often means that the plant would do better with four to six hours as a maximum.
BEANS
When in bush variety, these do well with more sun (closer to six hours). In vine varieties, though, they can do well with less sun if they’re on a trellis.
Vine beans, also known as pole beans, are easy to grow legumes. Much of the beans sold on markets as dried beans fall under pole varieties. Some of those are kidney, pinto, and navy beans.
BEETS
Keep beets partially shaded and they’ll thrive, even in relatively dry conditions. Beet plants need plenty of space for growing, so keep that in mind when planting.
If the fruit gets too small the soil may be lacking phosphorus. To help your beets propagate, add rock phosphate to your garden bed.
BROCCOLI
Broccoli needs partial sun, but definitely no more than 6 hours of direct sun every day. Full sun on broccoli will lead to rapid flowering (which ruins the taste) while partial sun encourages tighter heads and slower flowering.
CABBAGE
Although cabbage is broad-leafed, too much sun will dry it out and encourage smaller heads. Although it thrives in partial shade, colder spring temperatures can damage your crop. They can cause the plant to form loose heads or cause them to not form at all.
CARROTS
Too much sun and the carrot plant grows more foliage than root, so limiting sunlight means larger carrots. They grow well with under 4 hours of direct sunshine a day. They’re a good early and late season veggie to grow.
CAULIFLOWER
Like broccoli, limiting sunlight to under six hours daily means tighter heads of cauliflower. To protect them from too much sun exposure, plant them in early spring or autumn.
There are other ways to shelter your cauliflower crops from the sun. Tie the leaves together once the heads have reached two to three inches across.
CORIANDER
When you limit sunlight to coriander, it will keep smaller and larger-leafed. This means a bigger harvest and better taste.
If you plant the herb in pots, place them in a shielded patio area to protect your coriander from direct, burning heat.
LEEK
Leeks thrive in cooler, moist environments compared to regular root onions. Leafy crops like leeks prefer a soil rich in nitrogen. To help them develop fully, spread poultry manure widely around the roots.
If your soil is not well-drained, plant your leeks in raised bed kits that are high enough above the native soil (6 -12 inches).
ONIONS
Root onions, like most root-based edibles, need less sun to encourage below-ground growth.
Onions prefer temperate climates without extreme hot or cold temperatures. The size of your onion bulbs will depend on the length of the days in your area. So, pick your cultivars depending on your growing zone.
PEA
Pea, this early summer vegetable, will develop more foliage than edible seeds if exposed to too much sun.
Broadcast your pea seeds close together. If planted this way, the leaf foliage will cover the weed and keep the soil cool for better yields. This also allows for smart use of garden space.
RADISH
Radishes are a bit like onions, definitely preferring a bit more sun to shade. They need 4-6 hours of sunshine a day, but they can tolerate limited amounts of shade.
LIGHT SHADE VEGETABLES
Vegetables that do well in less sunlight (two to four hours) are often called “light shade” or “shaded” plants. Some “partial shade” plants are also light shade, such as cauliflower and many spices.
ARUGULA
Being leafy, you’d think of arugula as a sun-lover. Yet, sunlight often droops the leaves, so this is a good “under” plant to put underneath other, larger ones.
BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Just like with other cold-tolerant plants, shade suits Brussels sprouts, as does the limited sunlight. If they’re left to mature in hot, dry weather, the crops will develop bitter flavor and flimsy texture.
These leafy greens prefer temperatures between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
KALE
Like its cousins the cabbages, kale loves cold weather and less light. However, look for a spot that receives some sun. This will ensure your kale matures into a leafy crop. Feeding your soil with plenty of organic matter will help the plant produce tender leaves.
SPINACH
Spinach needs cooler temperatures and less sun. Spinach tends to enjoy 3-4 hours of sunshine per day, but will grow just fine with shade the rest of the time. Pro tip: Spinach tends to become bitter when grown in mid-summer heat. Try to grow your spinach early and late in the growing season.
SWISS CHARD
Another delicate leafy plant, swiss chard doesn’t enjoy a lot of sunlight. Plant your Swiss chard in an area that gets less than 4 hours of direct sunshine a day.