When you're ready to start an herb garden, it's important to consider a site with optimal growing conditions. While most herbs prefer full sun—at least 6 hours of sunlight daily—to produce the most lush growth, there are herbs that will tolerate partial shade—4 to 6 hours of sun. Here's a list together of 14 herbs that can be grown in partial shade. Try a Container Consider growing herbs in containers that can be moved to "follow the sun" throughout the day if you don't have a garden plot with ideal light. 01 of 14 Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Bay laurel is a tender perennial, evergreen shrub whose leaves can be used either fresh or dried, and tolerates partial shade. Often grown in a container because it is not winter hardy; however, older, established plants can take temperatures down to around 0°F. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! 02 of 14 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Catnip is a vigorous perennial with gray-green leaves that prefers light shade and well-draining soil. While growing to three feet tall, its minty-scented leaves will attract cats who may roll on and crush the plants. Catnip is resistant to drought, dry soil, and air pollution, but is somewhat intolerant of heat and humidity. It produces small purple flowers and its trailing quality makes it suitable for hanging baskets. 03 of 14 Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) German chamomile is an easy-to-grow cool-season annual that grows to about 18 inches tall in sun or part shade in well-draining soil. It is easy to grow from direct seeding in the spring and produces abundant small white and yellow flowers that can be dried for chamomile tea. 04 of 14 Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) Chervil is an herb native to the Middle East and Russia generally grown as an annual in herb gardens. The leaves and flowers are used to season poultry, seafood, and vegetables and have an herbal, parsley, faint licorice flavor. Chervil is a great companion plant for radishes and lettuce, and its leaves can be harvester throughout the summer and fall. Seeds are directly sown in the ground in the early spring because chervil does not transplant well. The plants thrive in full sun to partial shade. 05 of 14 Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) Chives are an onion's cousin and a bulbous perennial herb. Its edible flower and leaves are used for flavoring egg dishes, soups, salads, and spreads. Plant chives in average well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Harvest the leaves by clipping them off at the base to maintain the attractiveness of the plant. Chives can be divided easily in the spring or fall and they self-seed easily in the garden. 06 of 14 Cilantro/Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) Cilantro is a short-lived annual, cool-season herb that enjoys shade when temperatures begin to rise. The upper leaves are simple and fernlike and the lower leaves are broadly lobed and resemble parsley. Once temperatures reach the 70s Fahrenheit, the plant responds by bolting or flowering and going to seed; these seeds, dried, are the commonly known spice coriander. 07 of 14 Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) Comfrey has a long history of use as a medicinal herb for topical and internal injuries, though it is no longer deemed safe for consumption.1 Today it is grown for the beautiful blue blooms. Comfrey grows best in full sun to part shade and well-drained, moist, rich soil. It is deer-resistant and tolerant to drought and clay soil. 08 of 14 Costmary (Tanacetum balsamita) Costmary, also known as Bible leaf, is an aromatic perennial herb with a history of medicinal and culinary use. The fresh leaves have a minty, balsam scent and may be used to make tea or add flavor to salads. Costmary prefers full sun to partial shade. The plant will produce mostly leaves and no flowers if it is grown in deep shade. The plant may become aggressive and crowd out other herbs. 09 of 14 Curly-leafed Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) Parsley can be curly or flat-leaved (Petroselinum neapolitanum). Both can be grown from seeds sown in early spring in consistently moist, well-drained rich soil in full sun or light shade. Because the seed is slow to germinate, transplants are a better choice for hot, humid areas where parsley tends to wilt. Parsley is a biennial, producing leaves the first year and flowers that attract butterflies the next. 10 of 14 Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) Lemon balm is a hardy perennial shrub grown for its lemon-scented leaves that can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 3a to 7b. It prefers well-drained soils in sun or partial shade. The plant will self-seed and spread aggressively by rhizomes, so growing in a container is recommended. New leaves are more flavorful than mature ones for teas. 11 of 14 Mint (Mentha spp.) There is a hardy perennial mint plant for every taste. They are vigorous growers that can become invasive in the garden. They prefer rich, moist soil and partial shade. You can harvest tender leaves often for drinks or allow the plants to produce small white or purple flowers that attract pollinators. 12 of 14 Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) Sweet cicely, also known as sweet chervil, has delicate fern-like foliage and seedheads that are anise or licorice-scented. Native to Europe, the leaves can be cooked like spinach, the long tap root can be eaten raw, in salads, or boiled and eaten like parsnips, and the seed pods are collected to use as a dried herb. It is best grown in organically-enriched soils in light shade to full shade. 13 of 14 Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum) Sweet woodruff, a creeping, mat-forming perennial with dainty flowers perfect for shady areas. It grows well in mild temperatures and most soil types, though it prefers acidic soil. The leaves smell like freshly mown hay when crushed and dried and are often used in potpourri or sachets. The white flowers are showy, fragrant, and edible with a sweet, nutty, vanilla flavor. 14 of 14 Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus 'Sativa') If you enjoy the taste of licorice, you should include the culinary cultivar of tarragon A. dracunculus 'Sativa' in your herb garden. Often called French Tarragon, this perennial prefers some shade because it suffers in the summer heat. Because this plant rarely flowers, it must be started from a purchased seedling or rooted from a cutting. Tips for Growing Herbs in Shade Read the seed packet or care tag of herb plants to see if the plant will thrive in shade. Avoid herbs that require full sun. Provide well-draining soil to help prevent root rot. Growing herbs in shade often produces leggy, unruly plants. Prune and shape the herbs often to maintain a neat appearance.

Cactus zinnias are large, colorful, and easy to grow! These flamboyant flowers make an excellent addition to the cutting garden and flower beds. Join gardening expert Melissa Strauss to learn about growing and caring for these exciting, long-blooming plants. In an average summer season, I plant more zinnia seeds than any others by at least double. They are so easy to grow. And they provide a ton of color and personality to my flower beds and summer cutting garden. Of all the many varieties you can grow, cactus zinnias are some of the most colorful and flamboyant flowers around. Zinnias come in a wide range of colors, sizes, and petal formations. Varieties span from the tiny but spunky ‘Thumbellina’ to the grand ‘Benary’s Giant.’ I could plant a whole bed of zinnias and never get tired of them. The best thing about these plants is the amount of color and sheer volume of flowers they produce. One plant can produce dozens of flowers, even the larger cultivars! When it comes to big, flashy flowers, cactus zinnias are among the top contenders. What Is It? Cactus zinnias are a distinctive type of zinnia, characterized by their large and unique flowers. They’re sturdy plants with oversized blooms that come in a variety of bold, noteworthy shades. Horticulturists have developed these stunning cultivars from the Zinnia elegans species for their uncommonly beautiful form. Characteristics Cactus zinnias are large plants growing up to 40 inches tall. While they are not the tallest variety, they come reasonably close. They bloom from early summer until frost, producing a large number of flowers throughout that time. The plants aren’t the only thing that is larger than average. Cactus zinnia flowers are among the largest of the species. The blooms span four to six inches across and come in a range of colors, including pink, white, red, orange, yellow, and purple. The most noteworthy characteristic of this variety is the long, narrow, fringe-like petals. They aren’t named cactus for any relationship to an actual cactus. Instead, they’re named such because of how closely they resemble cactus-form dahlias. These are fast growers, like most zinnias, and they don’t take long to bloom. About two months after planting, you should start to see developing buds. With proper care, they will bloom continuously. They have sturdy stems that are great for cutting. Native Area Cactus zinnias are hybrids, so this particular form is not naturally occurring. However, the species Z. elegans is native to Central and southern North America, particularly Mexico. They typically favor semi-arid climates. Planting Spring is the best time to start your cactus zinnias. These annuals love warm weather and are easy to sow in your garden beds directly. Although they offer a wider variety, these aren’t the best choice for container gardens, but they will grow well in larger raised beds. Remember to leave ample space when planting to allow for spreading out. With proper tending, they can grow large and shrubby. Since the larger plants produce the most flowers, this is the desirable state.

If you enjoy growing fresh herbs, then try adding apple mint (Mentha suaveolens) to your garden. This easy-to-grow perennial may become a new favorite for cool drinks, sweet additions to your dishes, and much more. Learn more about growing and caring for apple mint. About Apple Mint A member of the mint family, apple mint is an upright, herbaceous perennial herb often used as a ground cover. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, apple mint spreads rapidly through rhizomes and can become invasive. If ingested, the leaves and stems are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.1 Apple mint grows to two feet tall with large (2-inches long) light green, slightly hairy leaves and produces terminal spikes of small pink or white flowers in the summer that attract pollinators. The leaves have a milder mint flavor than some varieties with a light fruity hint of apple. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! How to Care for Apple Mint Once established, apple mint is easy to grow by following these guidelines. Light In cooler growing areas, apple mint grows best in full sun. In areas of high temperatures, it needs some afternoon shade to protect the leaves from burning. When grown in shade, apple mint will become leggy and flop over. Soil The plant prefers well-draining, rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH but can adapt to most soil types. Water To produce fresh, tender leaves, apple mint requires regular watering and consistently moist soil. Fertilizer If apple mint is planted in poor soil, the plants should be fertilized about once per month (every 4 to 6 weeks) during the growing season. Container-grown apple mint will benefit from feeding with a water-soluble, balanced, all-purpose fertilizer (10-10-10 NPK) throughout the growing season, starting in spring when the plants emerge. Propagating Apple mint can be propagated by taking cuttings and rooting them in water. Take the cuttings in late spring to early summer when the plant is actively growing and before it has bloomed. Snip a stem that is four to six inches long and strip off the leaves from the lower half of the stem. Put the cutting in a container of water placed in an area with bright, indirect sunlight. Change the water every few days until the roots grow about two inches long. Plant in moist potting soil and keep it watered for three weeks until the roots are strong enough to transplant to the garden or a larger container. Why Apple Mint Makes a Great Companion Plant Like most mint plants, the menthol in the leaves of apple mint repels many insects making it a good companion plant for the garden. According to the University of Georgia Extension, mint repels cabbage moths, ants, mice, and fleas and is not inviting to deer.2 However, because mint spreads rapidly, the University suggests planting it in containers and placing them throughout the garden. How to Harvest and Use Apple Mint To keep apple mint plants thriving and producing more growth, cut a stem around four inches long rather than plucking individual leaves. Make your cut just above a pair of leaves to keep the plant bushier. By cutting the stem the plant will produce more stems and leaves. The most tender and tastiest leaves are at the tips. Harvest mint in the morning when the essential oils in the foliage are at their most potent. Regular harvesting is important for good-tasting apple mint. Once the plant produces flowers or goes to seed, the leaves can have a bitter note. How to Use Apple Mint Apple mint leaves can be eaten fresh in salads, brewed in hot water for tea, or added as a garnish to cool drinks. The leaves should be stored in the refrigerator. Loosely wrap the leaves in a damp paper towel and place them inside a perforated plastic bag to keep them fresh for 7 to 10 days. The leaves can also be frozen or dried. To freeze, rough-chop the leaves and pack them into ice cube trays. Add just enough water to act as a binder between the leaves, then freeze. Once solid, remove the mint ice cubes from the tray and put them in a freezer storage bag to use for drinks. To dry the apple mint leaves, use a dehydrator or hang the mint plants to air-dry. Crumble the leaves and store them in an air-tight glass container.