If you want a greenhouse, but your yard gets minimal sun, you can still grow plenty of fruits and veggies in the shade. You simply need to know what plants will do the best without constant sun. It’s important to note that most plants need at least partial sun in order to thrive, meaning you might have to consider moving your greenhouse, if possible.
Here are 12 plants that will grow in a shady greenhouse:
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Basil
- Chard
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Beets
- Radish
- Asparagus
- Tomatoes
In the rest of this article, I will go over 12 plants that can still be grown in a shady greenhouse. I’ll also share a few tips for keeping each of those plants happy in their shady home, while also answering some frequently asked questions about planting in a shady greenhouse. So let’s get started.
1. Lettuce
Lettuce is actually very tolerant to growing in partial shade and will do better than being planted in full sun. This makes this leafy plant an excellent option for a shady greenhouse. However, you should keep in mind that lettuce still needs about 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive.
So, if your greenhouse is in complete shade the entire day, your lettuce may not do as well. Each variety will be slightly different, but all lettuce species enjoy a little sun.
Lettuce’s growing needs:
- Soil with good drainage
- Loose soil
- Cool soil
- Plenty of organic material in the soil
- Consistent watering
2. Kale
Kale is another fantastic veggie that will do reasonably well in partial shade. Kale is chalked full of nutrients and is a great plant to have regular access to in your diet. This plant can be grown in a shady place that gets less than 6 hours of sun per day, but its leaves and stocks may grow relatively small as a result.
What kale needs to grow:
- Soil with good drainage
- Fertile soil
- Cool temperatures
- Consistent watering
3. Basil
A fantastic herb you should consider planting in a shaded greenhouse is basil. Basil actually does better when planted out of the harsh sun but still generally likes to receive at least 6 hours of light per day. However, you certainly can get away with a little less sun, although your plants may not produce as large of leaves to harvest.
There are several varieties of basil, but Thai basil is one of the best varieties to grow in a shady place.
Basil’s growing preferences:
- Moist soil
- Warm weather
- Partial Shade
- Neutral pH
4. Chard
Chard is another excellent option if you wish to plant something that will grow well in a greenhouse in the shade.
Typically, you can plant chard both in full sun and in partial shade. This plant, like most, enjoys about 6 hours of sunlight. You can certainly get away with planting it somewhere with less light, but your plants will be scrawnier.
Chards growth needs:
- Soil with good drainage
- A pH of 6.0-7.0
- Soil that has been lightly fertilized
- Even and consistent watering
5. Cilantro
Cilantro actually prefers to grow in partial shade as it can quickly bolt if it becomes too warm in the summer months. Cilantro typically only needs 4-6 hours of sunlight in order to thrive and favors temperatures between 65-75℉ (18-24℃), making this herb a great shady crop.
If Cilantro doesn’t receive enough light, it can wilt, taste bitter, and even die! So be sure to plant it in your greenhouse if you have access to partial or indirect sunlight throughout the day.
Cilantros growth preferences:
- Soil with good drainage
- Nutrient-dense soil
- A pH of 6.2- 6.8
- Shade in warmer climates
- Moist soil
6. Mint
Mint is one of the best herbs you can grow in a shady greenhouse. This is because mint only needs 3-4 hours of sunlight per day. This plant is:
- Stress resistant
- A perennial
- Delicious
Just be careful about trimming back this plant, as mint can quickly take over a garden bed if not pruned regularly.
What mint needs in order to grow:
- Shade in hot environments
- Soil with good drainage
- Moist soil
- Soil with organic matter
7. Cabbage
Because cabbage is actually considered a cool-weather crop, it does pretty well when planted in the shade and should grow just fine in your shaded greenhouse.
Cabbage typically enjoys about 6 hours of sunlight each day. Therefore, this crop will grow especially well in a shady greenhouse if you live somewhere with harsh summer weather.
What cabbage needs to grow:
- Soil with good drainage
- Moist soil
- Fertile soil
- A pH of 6.5-6.8
8. Broccoli
Like cabbage, broccoli prefers about 6 hours of sunlight per day and requires nutrient-dense soil full of organic matter.
Broccoli does grow best in full sun. However, if you live somewhere with an exceedingly warm climate, growing your broccoli inside of a greenhouse can be a great way to prevent the plant from bolting too soon.
What broccoli prefers in order to grow:
- Cool-weather
- Consistent watering
- Nutrient-rich soil
- A pH of 6.0-6.8
9. Beets
Beets are fantastic shady crops as they only need about 4 hours of sunlight per day. Shade is ideal for growing beets, though it’s important to note that your beets may grow smaller than the giant ones you are used to seeing at the store.
However, these tiny beets will be packed with intense flavor.
What beets need to grow well:
- Soil that drains well
- Sandy soil
- Loose soil
- Regular watering
10. Radish
Another plant you should consider cultivating if you have a greenhouse that sits in partial shade is radishes. These plants do like about 6 hours of sunlight and will grow relatively small in partial shade. However, they are still delicious and a great way to make use of your shady space.
Radishes growing preferences:
- Loam soil
- A pH of 6.5-7.0
- Temperatures of 40-70°F (4-21°C)
- Regular watering
11. Asparagus
Asparagus will undoubtedly yield more when planted in full sun. However, this plant can still produce in partial shade. Typically asparagus likes about 8 hours of sunlight but will still grow well in about 6 hours of light. So, it’s definitely worth adding to your list of plants to grow in a shaded greenhouse.
What asparagus prefers when growing:
- Soil that drains well
- Loose soil
- Heavily fertilized soil
- Regular watering
- A pH of 6.5-7.0
12. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are known for their love of sunny places, but surprisingly, several varieties of tomatoes do pretty well growing in shady spaces. A few of these shade-resistant varieties include:
- Black Cherry
- Golden Sweet
- Roma
- Gold Medal
- Violet Jasper
Growing tomatoes in a shady greenhouse will not be easy, but you can certainly do it if you have the proper tools and choose a variety of tomato that prefers partial shade. Also, small tomato varieties like cherry tomatoes seem to do better in the shade than larger types of tomatoes.
What tomatoes need in order to grow:
- Well fertilized soil
- Consistent watering
- Lots of soil
- Partial shade in warm climates
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a Greenhouse Work in the Shade?
A greenhouse will work in the shade if it is still able to get at least partial sun throughout the day. This is because plants that prefer the shade generally still need about 4-6 hours of sunlight per day in order to grow. Not all plants will thrive in the shade, so do your research before planting.
Can You Put a Greenhouse Under a Tree?
You can put a greenhouse under a tree. However, the shade from the tree can block much-needed light from your plants. If you have a greenhouse under a tree, you should consider moving it or planting plants that grow better in shady places.
How Much Light Does a Greenhouse Need?
A greenhouse typically needs at least 6 hours of light per day though more is always great. Plants that produce fruits and vegetables need plenty of light in order to produce healthy crops. However, some plants need less light than others and can grow in shadier environments.
