Best Crops to Grow Under Trees: A Guide to Shade-Tolerant Gardening

Growing food under trees isn’t just a creative use of space—it’s an essential part of sustainable agriculture, especially in agroforestry, permaculture, and forest gardening systems. The dappled light that filters through tree canopies can support a surprising number of shade-tolerant crops, turning otherwise unused ground into a productive garden.

In this post, we’ll explore the best vegetables, herbs, fruits, and other crops that thrive in partial shade or filtered sunlight under trees.

Vegetables That Grow Well Under Trees

Many leafy greens and root vegetables actually prefer cooler, partially shaded environments—which makes them perfect for growing under trees.

• Leafy Greens
• Lettuce
• Spinach
• Kale
• Mustard greens

These crops thrive in partial sunlight and cooler temperatures, making them excellent choices for the shade of a tree canopy.

Root Vegetables

• Beets (grown for both roots and greens)
• Carrots (tolerate some shade)
• Radishes
• Green onions/scallions
• Garlic (especially for harvesting as green garlic)

Herbs That Love the Shade

Some herbs naturally grow in forest understories in the wild, so they thrive in shadier conditions. Such herbs include:

• Mint – Thrives in moist, shady environments (but can be invasive!)
• Parsley
• Coriander
• Chives
• Lemon balm
• Turmeric
• Ginger

These herbs not only do well under trees but also bring fragrance, flavor, and pollinator-attracting flowers to your garden.

Fruits and Berries for Partial Shade

While most fruiting crops prefer full sun, there are a few that perform decently in dappled light or partial shade, especially in cooler climates.

• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries (some varieties)
• Currants (black, red, and white)
• Gooseberries

These small fruits can be especially productive in food forest setups, where light is filtered through layers of canopy.


Other Shade-Tolerant Crops

Some tropical or root crops also grow well under trees, especially when humidity and moisture are available. These crops include:

• Taro
• Cassava (young plants tolerate shade well)
• Sweet potatoes (can be grown for greens and tubers)

These crops are great for layering productivity in tropical and subtropical agroforestry systems.

Shade-Tolerant Legumes and Cover Crops

Although grains generally prefer full sun, a few legumes and cover crops tolerate some shade and help improve soil fertility under trees.

• Pigeon pea
• Cowpeas
• Mucuna (velvet bean) – Excellent nitrogen-fixing ground cover under trees
• Christmas Lima

Also read: Christmas Lima Beans Farming

Tips for Growing Under Trees

Growing crops under trees comes with a few unique challenges. Keep these in mind for best results:

1. Light: Most crops need at least 3–6 hours of sunlight. Thin tree canopies help.

2. Water: Tree roots can outcompete crops for moisture—mulch heavily and water deeply.

3. Soil: Add compost or organic matter regularly to support nutrient-hungry crops.

4. Spacing: Avoid disturbing major tree roots when planting.

5. Selection: Choose crops based on your climate, the type of tree, and available light.


Final Thoughts

Don’t let that shaded area under your trees go to waste. With the right crop selection and a bit of planning, you can create a productive, layered garden that mimics natural ecosystems and yields food, herbs, and even berries year-round.

If you’re practicing permaculture or agroforestry, growing under trees isn’t just practical—it’s essential. I hope this post helps you continue growing food without necessarily cutting down trees.