Herbs That Can Grow Without Direct Sunlight

When I first started growing herbs, I didn’t know how to do it. But I soon learned that I could grow my own herbs, even without direct sunlight. I was really amazed by the fact that I actually didn’t need a special plan or anything else. All I needed was some basic gardening knowledge and some pots and containers.

Once you know that, you can begin to plan the rest of your garden. Most people just start out by growing herbs in pots indoors, but I’ve seen many people start out with a small garden outdoors and get very good at it.

With a bit of patience and work, anyone can grow their own herb garden, and it can be a very relaxing hobby. Below you will find the easiest herbs to grow in shade or low light conditions.

Calendula

Calendula grows in many types of conditions and is easy to grow. It can be planted almost anywhere. You can place it in the shade under a tree, along fences, hedges or any structure that receives little to no sunlight. Growing conditions. In the subtropical to even the arid zone plant calendula in fall through mid-spring, in an area with a good supply of direct sunlight. In colder climates plant Late winter through till spring.

The plant grows best in rich soil with lots of nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. It needs a well drained soil and plenty of organic matter, but not too much. This is why a majority of gardeners use a mix of rocks, crushed bark and wood chips. It has been found that some varieties will grow quite tall and need a trellis to support them. The other varieties do not need any trellis and can easily be grown in the same spot year after year.

Chervil

Chervil, sometimes spelled garden chervil or French chervil, is an evergreen perennial herb, closely related to rosemary, marjoram, and thyme. It’s also commonly used to add flavor to mild-flavored foods and is part of the French cuisine. Growing chervil in your garden is not difficult; they grow well in shady areas that are not exposed to too much sunlight.

You will just need to be careful about over-shading as they do require some sun to thrive. The majority of culinary uses for chervil come from the vegetable and fruit markets. Chervil has a nutty, salty taste that makes it great in pickles.

Cilantro

Most of us have enjoyed the delicious aroma of chervil in the kitchen when we’ve had a meal containing a sauce made with flour, butter, or cheese. For these reasons, the herb is also used in cooking to enhance the flavor of foods. Chervil is available in various forms, both fresh and dried, and in various herb blends. To enjoy chervil year-round, you should purchase it in the spring and keep it in a location where it can receive ample sunlight and drainage.

It is an excellent order for the home gardener who likes to experiment with herbs and grows a variety of them. As an outdoor plant, it will tolerate most drought conditions. If you live in an area where frost days are frequent, you might want to consider growing this herb in containers so that you can harvest the leaves. These herbs are very hardy and will take root in most locations.

Thyme

Thyme is one of the more popular herbs used in cooking today. If you go to your local grocery store or garden center, you will likely see a lot of different recipes calling for Thyme oil or Thyme leaves. Not only are these plants easy to grow, but they are also one of the least expensive and most versatile herbs around.

For instance, if you are looking for an excellent herb for stews, then you could plant Thyme plants near your kitchen. By growing a garden of Thyme herbs, you would immediately have an abundance of the herb in case you were in need of a quick, delicious, and flavorful hot broth.

Bee Balm

Bee Balm is an annual, perennial, or bi-annual growing plant, with the main periods of growth being during late summer through late autumn. Flowers appear in the late spring, and blooms usually last from two to six weeks. The foliage remains green until the plants flower, either in early spring or in late fall.

The flowers themselves are a vibrant yellow, with the stamen and pistil being prominently colored. The fruit, a simple bean, appears in the late summer and early fall and grows up to six inches tall. Bee Balm is an ideal plant for growing in any kind of soil, being equally successful in shady or sunny areas.

Tarragon

Tarragon,  is a common species of perennial weed in the mint family, also referred to as blue-flower or herbs. It is widely cultivated both for medicinal and culinary purposes throughout much of Europe and North America and is less common in some parts of Asia. Because it is a hardy and versatile plant, the French tarragon makes an excellent choice for culinary herbs.

Its flavor is assertive and leaves a strong, aromatic aftertaste. This herb thrives best in rich soil with an acidic pH. If you are not able to find this kind of soil in your area, you can also grow tarragon in a pot and add regular soil. This herb likes full sun but will tolerate partial shade or being planted in shaded areas.

Mint

Mint plant, with a Latin name of Mentha, is one of many mint species in cultivation. It is one of the many common names for the flowering plant with its pink flowers. There are several ways to grow mint plants successfully, from container gardens, raised beds, and borders, all using similar principles.

It will grow in almost any soil type, although an alkaline environment is favored. Mint will grow best in rich soil that contains lots of nitrogen. Mint grows very well in sunny and dry climates, and it does well in potting soil. This plant is an evergreen perennial, and if you provide it with plenty of water, it will keep for a long time.

Oregano

Oregano leaves are bitter and are used as a spice. They can be sprinkled on food or eaten raw. The main herb ingredient of oregano, the essential oil is extracted from the leaves and used as a seasoning for fish, meat, and poultry dishes. When growing oregano plant, it should be grown in sunny and well drained climate, which is the best place in North America. The preferred soil type is perlite, which is highly suitable for growing oregano plant as it’s a very fertile and organic soil.

Watering is not much of a problem as long as you give your oregano plants a sufficient amount of water every day. During hot growing season (from early spring to late fall), it’s best to move your oregano plants indoors during the night. Also, avoid direct exposure to direct sunlight, which can damage your herb leaves.

Parsley

For centuries, the parsley plant has been a popular remedy for many ailments, and illnesses, as well as a popular ornamental garden plant. The plant has long been used to flavor meats and is still eaten by many people across the world today. The Latin name for the Parsley plant is (Petroselinum crispum) and it is also known as Roman or European Parsley. Regardless of its original purpose, the Parsley plant is a useful plant, and now you can grow your own at home!

To start a herb garden with Parsley, you will need several types of parsley plant to be able to fill in the gaps in your garden, so that you have all of the herbs you want around your home. By starting out with the proper preparation of soil, fertilizer, and climate, you will be able to grow the parsley plant perfectly.

Lovage

Lovage, (Levisticum officinale),  is a tall evergreen perennial plant, even the sole surviving species in the family Apiaceae, in the Genus Levisticum, subfamily Apioideae. It’s been cultivated historically in Europe, mostly for its edible leaf buds, the flowers being used as a herb, and the edible roots as a vegetable, especially in southern European cooking.

In the United States, it’s grown mainly for its foliage, with the flower buds being the preferred flavor in salad dressings. It’s also popular for commercial growing, mainly to produce blue lettuce, a variety that’s very susceptible to frost. Growing love from seed is simple, however; you can get great results by starting seeds indoors and then transplanting them outdoors when they germinate.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a common perennial herbaceous  plant which grows wild in almost any location, from wet to dry climate. It is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin, though now naturalized in parts of the U.S. and elsewhere. 

Once prepared, these herb containers can be placed in any area of your home where fresh air can penetrate and provide a pleasant environment. Lemon Balm is not only a wonderful outdoor flowering plant but also one of the most useful and convenient herbs inside the house.  As an indoor flowering plant, it creates a soothing atmosphere by inducing sleep and relaxation.

Sorrel

Sorrel or sweet sorrel is a fleshy purple flowering plant native to Mediterranean areas. It is named after the city of Tours, France where it was originally cultivated, but it has now become a more popular choice for gardeners in warmer climates. It is a very hardy perennial that will grow for many years.

This plant was originally cultivated for its flavor, but it is now grown as a landscape plant because of its ability to grow wild without the need for expensive soil. It can tolerate some shade and can handle drought as well as high temperatures. It is an ideal plant for an outdoor vegetable garden or indoor window garden as it grows very well. Sorrel Herb Plant can be a great companion for culinary herbs.

Chives

Chives, scientific name Allium sativum, is an annual species of wild perennial plant which produces beautiful flowers and edible leaves. They are considered most edible when young but are often eaten as a garnish or used in salsas. Their close relations to the popular onions include the well-known garlic, leek, shallots, scallions, and Chinese onions.

These herbs are cultivated throughout the world and are used both for cooking and for herb gardening. They all do really well if they are planted in containers and then given sufficient amounts of sunlight, water and fertilizer. The best time to grow chives is spring since it will get most of the sun it needs and the soil is usually dry by then.