Can rosemary grow in full shade?
Written by
Liu Xiaohui
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Rosemary is a challenging plant in shady gardens, which rely on six hours of direct sunlight a day. Insufficient sunlight results in weak stems, sparse leaves, and (surprisingly) increased disease susceptibility. I learned this lesson with a potted rosemary that struggled while under a roofed porch. A move to full sun significantly improved the plant and its regrowth within a few weeks.
Shade gardens are great alternatives to sun-loving rosemary. Mint does well with partial shade while also developing a stronger flavor with just morning sun. Lemon balm will produce soothing oils in dappled or filtered light. Chives provide constant cuttings with full shade. All of these herbs can be top performers to replace rosemary when gardening in partial or full shade.
Rosemary
- Light: Full sun (6+ hours direct light)
- Signs of Insufficient Light: Sparse growth, woody stems
- Alternative: Thyme (tolerates partial shade)
Mint
- Light: Partial shade (2-4 hours sun)
- Light Adaptation: Expands leaves to capture more light
- Tip: Grow in containers to control spread
Lemon Balm
- Light: Filtered/dappled shade
- Light Adaptation: Increases oil production in low light
- Tip: Harvest before flowering for best flavor
To maximize the use of limited sunlight for herb growth, we can employ reflective methods. Place pots against a light-colored wall to reflect available sunlight. You can also place mirrors at an angle to reflect morning sunlight onto your herbs. Rotating your containers every day can also provide light to the whole area of your plant, my vertical herb rack, set up against a white fence, increased growth by nearly 40%.
Caring for rosemary in borderline shade requires extra diligence. Select south-facing locations that receive the most sunlight. To maximize light, prune adjacent plants, creating competing shade. Add grow lights during cloudy times. My rosemary grew with four hours of sun and two hours of artificial light.
Establish microclimates to increase sunlight in shady conditions. Move pots to elevated locations to access overhead light. Use thermal masses, such as rocks, to hold onto any morning heat. Space plants appropriately to disallow shading of one another. These adjustments allow herbs like thyme to perform the role rosemary would when cooked in this position without fully demanding sun.
Embrace the concept of shaded gardening using appropriate herbs. Rosemary enjoys full sun, but herbs with similar benefits exist. Thyme offers similar baked-earth flavors for cooking. Lemon balm provides aromatics for teas. These are all great starter herbs and will guarantee good luck in a low-light garden.
Read the full article: 10 Shade Loving Herbs for Your Garden
