Top Vegetables that Grow Well in the Shade

Not every garden is blessed with full sun, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow a productive vegetable garden.

Many vegetables thrive with just a few hours of sunlight or in partial shade, making them perfect for less sunny spots in your yard. If you’re looking for the top vegetables that grow well in the shade, we’ve compiled a list of hardy crops that can tolerate lower light conditions while still delivering a healthy harvest.

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Peas are a cool-weather crop that doesn’t need much sunlight to produce a bountiful harvest.

These climbing vegetables can thrive in shaded areas, particularly in the cooler parts of the growing season. Peas can easily be grown on trellises in partial shade, and they’ll still produce sweet, tender pods even with limited sun exposure.

Spinach is one of the best vegetables for growing in shady spots. This leafy green prefers cooler temperatures and can thrive with only a few hours of sunlight each day.

Spinach grows quickly and can be harvested multiple times throughout the season, making it ideal for shaded areas in your garden. Its tolerance for lower light makes spinach a perfect choice for those looking to maximize their shady garden space.

Onions can grow surprisingly well in partial shade, particularly if you’re growing them for their green tops.

While full sunlight helps onion bulbs to grow larger, they can still develop in areas with less light. Green onions, or scallions, are especially suited to shady spots and will produce flavorful greens even with limited sun exposure.

Garlic is a resilient vegetable that can grow well in partial shade. While it benefits from some sunlight, garlic can tolerate lower light conditions, especially during the initial stages of growth.

Planting garlic in the fall allows it to establish roots before winter, and it will continue to grow in spring even in shadier areas. As long as it gets some light, garlic will thrive and produce flavorful bulbs.

Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can tolerate partial shade, making it a great option for gardens with limited sunlight.

While broccoli benefits from some direct sun, it will still produce healthy heads in shadier conditions. In fact, growing broccoli in cooler, shaded areas can help prevent the plant from bolting too quickly, giving you a longer harvest period.

Arugula is a fast-growing leafy green that thrives in cooler temperatures and partial shade.

Too much sun can cause arugula to bolt and develop a bitter taste, so growing it in shadier areas actually results in a longer-lasting crop with better flavor.

Its quick-growing nature makes arugula a perfect fit for shady spots in your garden.

Kohlrabi is a unique vegetable that does not require much sunlight to thrive.

This space-saving crop can grow in partial shade and still produce its signature swollen stem, which is great for slicing into salads or roasting. Since kohlrabi grows quickly, it’s a good option for shaded garden beds where other vegetables might struggle.

Kale is an incredibly hardy vegetable that thrives in cooler temperatures and partial shade. In fact, too much sun can cause kale to wilt, making it one of the best vegetables to grow in the shade.

Kale’s ability to tolerate lower light levels means you can enjoy continuous harvests of its nutritious leaves throughout the growing season, even in areas that don’t get full sunlight.

Cabbage is another cool-weather crop that grows well in shady conditions. It doesn’t require intense sunlight to form large, dense heads, and it actually benefits from the cooler temperatures of shaded areas.

Cabbage is perfect for filling in those less sunny spots in your garden, where it will grow slowly but steadily with minimal sunlight.

Radishes are fast-growing vegetables that can thrive with just a few hours of sunlight each day.

They are one of the best root vegetables for shaded gardens, as they mature quickly and don’t need much light to develop their crisp, spicy roots.

Radishes can be grown in partial shade and still provide a quick and rewarding harvest, making them ideal for small or shady gardens.

Leeks are a long-growing, low-maintenance crop that thrives in partial shade.

They don’t require much sunlight and can grow well in cooler, shadier conditions, making them a great choice for gardens with limited light.

Leeks can be planted closely together and will still develop their long, flavorful stems without needing full sun exposure.

Brussels sprouts are a cool-weather vegetable that tolerates shade and doesn’t require much sun to produce its signature sprouts.

In fact, growing Brussels sprouts in shadier areas can help them develop more slowly, resulting in a longer growing season and sweeter sprouts.

These plants are perfect for filling in the less sunny parts of your garden.

Beets are a versatile vegetable that can grow well in partial shade.

While full sunlight encourages faster root growth, beets are surprisingly tolerant of lower light levels.

Both the greens and the roots of beets can be harvested, and in shadier areas, you’ll still be able to grow a productive crop. Beet greens are particularly resilient in shade and can be harvested continuously.

Carrots are a root vegetable that can tolerate partial shade, though they do grow more slowly in lower light conditions.

If you have a shadier garden area, carrots are still a good option, as they will continue to develop sweet, crisp roots over time.

Planting them in well-drained soil will help ensure a healthy harvest, even in less sunny spots.

While many vegetables require full sun, there are plenty of options for those with shady garden spaces.

These top vegetables that grow well in the shade allow you to make the most of your garden, even if it doesn’t receive all-day sunlight. From hardy greens like kale and spinach to root crops like beets and radishes, these vegetables will thrive with just a few hours of sun or even in partial shade. By choosing the right crops, you can create a productive garden in areas where other vegetables might struggle.

Get our Gardening Buddy and find veggies that fit your conditions best.

You Can Grow It!