Can you grow peppers in the shade? Best peppers for shady gardens

Living in a shady area can make growing vegetables a challenge, especially sun-loving plants like peppers. Because I live in a forest, the sunniest parts of my yard get a maximum of 4.5-5 hours of direct sunlight daily — well below the minimum of 6 hours recommended for most pepper varieties.

I also live in USDA zone 5b, transplanting my peppers around May 1, with a first frost in mid to late October. This further limits me, because one of the symptoms of low sun is slower-to-grow peppers!

Given these conditions, I’ve experimented with growing peppers in less-than-ideal light and discovered some varieties that do surprisingly well in the shade. If you find yourself in a similar situation, this guide will help you understand what to expect and which pepper varieties might thrive in your shady garden.

How Much Sunlight Do Peppers Need?

Peppers generally need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day to grow well. In my garden, I get direct sun from around 10:00 am to 2:30 pm, with some dappled light before and after this period. Here’s what I’ve observed in my garden:

• 9:30 am: Shade
• 11:00 am: Full sun
• 12:00 pm: Full sun
• 3:30 pm: Dappled sunlight
• 4:30 pm: Full shade

What happens if you grow peppers in <6 hours of sunlight?

With only about 4.5 hours of direct sunlight, my peppers face a unique set of challenges. Here’s what you can expect if you grow peppers in less than 6 hours of sunlight:

1. Slower Growth: Peppers will grow more slowly in the shade, and they might not reach their full potential in size or yield.
2. Leggy Plants: In low light, peppers may become leggy, stretching toward the sun. This can make them more prone to falling over or breaking, especially if they’re carrying heavy fruit.
3. Delayed Ripening: Shady conditions can delay the ripening of fruit, which is particularly problematic if you’re racing against the first frost.

The photo below is the perfect example of a leggy pepper plant. This was a giant jalapeño that I got as a start from the hardware store, and it grew to be more than 56″ tall! Jalapeño plants typically max out around 36″ tall! I had to stake this plant multiple times because it kept outgrowing its stakes, and it was too thin to support itself.

Best Peppers for Shady Gardens

Despite these challenges, I’ve had success with several pepper varieties in my shady garden. Here are some types that you might consider if you’re dealing with less-than-ideal sunlight:

1. Shishito Peppers

Maturity Time: Early to mid-July

Shishitos are one of the most forgiving peppers when it comes to light. These mild, thin-skinned peppers are typically harvested while still green. In my experience, they’ve been extremely prolific even in partial shade, reaching their mature size by early to mid-July.

2. Biquinho Peppers

Maturity Time: Late July

Biquinho peppers are tiny Brazilian peppers with a bright, citrusy flavor and very mild heat. They’ve done well in my yard for two years in a row, even in small 3-gallon grow bags. These peppers start maturing to yellow by the end of July, making them a good choice for shorter growing seasons and shadier gardens.

3. Jalapeños

Maturity Time: Mid-july

Jalapeños are one of the most common peppers in the United States. They are relatively mild and versatile in cooking. My jalapeños have been super prolific this year, although they are slow to mature to red. If you’re looking for a pepper that can handle partial shade, jalapeños are a solid choice.

4. Ghost Peppers

Maturity Time: September

Ghost peppers are known for their extreme heat and gnarled appearance. Surprisingly, I was able to grow ghost peppers last year, even though I didn’t transplant them until mid-July. While they produced only a handful of fruit by the end of the season, it was enough to satisfy my curiosity. If you’re looking for a challenge, ghost peppers might be worth a try.

5. Lemon Drop Peppers

Maturity Time: Mid-July

Lemon Drop peppers are hot and citrusy, often used for hot sauces. They were extremely prolific for me last year, producing plenty of fruit despite the limited sunlight. If you enjoy a bit of heat with a unique flavor, Lemon Drop peppers are a great option.

6. Cayenne Peppers

Maturity Time: Early August

Cayenne peppers are one of the most common and versatile peppers. They’re great for drying, making hot sauces, or using fresh in salsas and cooking. In my experience, cayenne peppers mature to red more quickly than any other red pepper I’ve grown, making them ideal for shady gardens with shorter growing seasons.

7. Candy Cane Bell Peppers

Maturity Time: Early August

Candy Cane Bell Peppers are a striped variety of the classic bell pepper. Despite being a larger pepper variety, I’ve had good luck with these in partial shade. I’ve enjoyed them green, and they’ve also had enough time to mature to a reddish-orange color.

8. Kristian Thai Chilis

Maturity Time: Early August

Kristian Thai Chilis are spicy, vibrant yellow peppers that grow pointing upward. They did well for me last year, maturing quickly to yellow despite the limited sunlight. If you’re looking for a fast-growing chili that can handle some shade, Kristian Thai Chilis are worth considering.

Peppers that don’t grow well in shadier environments

While some peppers have thrived in my shaded garden, others have struggled. Here are a few varieties that didn’t perform well in less than 6 hours of sunlight:

• Aji Cachucha / Aji Dulce: These sweet, mild snacking peppers are popular in the Caribbean, resembling Scotch bonnets in appearance but without the heat. Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts, I’ve never had these peppers ripen before the first frost. They need more sunlight and a longer growing season than my garden can provide.
• Datil Peppers: Datil peppers are known for their fruity and spicy flavor, often used in salsas and hot sauces. However, they are extremely slow to mature and very late to fruit. Like the Aji Cachucha, they didn’t have enough time to ripen to their signature orange color before the first frost in my shady garden.

Of course, there are many varieties that I haven’t tried to grow yet, so this is from a sample of just a dozen or so varieties.

Tips for Growing Peppers in Shady Gardens

If you’re determined to grow peppers in a garden that doesn’t get a full 6 hours of sunlight, there are a few strategies you can use to improve your chances of success:

• Choose peppers that are commonly eaten green: Peppers like jalapeños, green bell peppers, and shishitos are typically harvested and consumed when they’re still green. Since they don’t need to mature to red or yellow, they’re a good choice for gardens with less sunlight. Red and yellow peppers take longer to ripen, so they might not be ready before the first frost in a shady garden.
• Opt for smaller peppers: Smaller peppers tend to ripen faster than larger varieties, making them more suitable for gardens with limited sunlight. Biquinho peppers, for example, have very small fruit that matures quickly, even in less than ideal conditions.
• Use portable pots: If your garden doesn’t get 5 hours of sunlight in any one spot, consider planting your peppers in pots with wheels. This allows you to move them throughout the day to follow the sun, maximizing their exposure to sunlight. However, this is an extreme move requiring daily work, so you have to really be committed.

Growing Peppers with 4 Hours of Sunlight or Less

If your garden receives less than 4 hours of sunlight a day, growing peppers successfully will be a significant challenge. Peppers are sun-loving plants, and they struggle to thrive with limited light, so I don’t recommend growing them in a spot that won’t receive at least 4-5 hours of direct sun.

However, gardening is about experimentation. If you’re determined to try growing peppers in very low light, I recommend starting with varieties that produce small fruit, such as Biquinho. These peppers are more likely to mature quicker, giving you a better chance of success in a short growing season. 

Growing peppers in a shady garden presents unique challenges, but it’s not impossible. Remember that peppers that are commonly eaten green or those with smaller fruit are more likely to succeed in shadier conditions.

While some pepper varieties simply won’t thrive without full sun, with a bit of planning and experimentation, you can find the right balance for your garden.