How much sun do plants really need?
Plants come labelled with their sun requirement but if you don’t exactly know what constitutes full sun, full shade, or partial sun and shade, it can be difficult to tell if your garden has the right sun exposure to grow the plant. So to clear up any potential confusion, the following are the general rules we go by:
Full sun
Six hours or more of direct sunlight. Many sun-loving plants enjoy more than six hours per day, but may need more watering or some shade during particularly hot afternoon sun.
Partial sun or partial shade
These two terms are often used interchangeably and both mean around three to six hours of sun each day, preferably receiving the most sun during the morning or early afternoon.
If a plant is labelled with partial sun, the emphasis is on the plant receiving at least three hours of sun a day. However, if the plant calls for partial shade then the plant should get no more than six hours of direct sun. It may also need some shade in the middle of the day from intense afternoon heat.
Dappled shade
Similar to partial shade, dappled shade refers to areas where there is a mixture of sun and shade, usually because sun has been filtered by trees. Plants in this category do best with little full sun and are best planted near a tree which can limit direct sun exposure.
Full shade
Less than three hours of direct sunlight each day, with filtered sunlight during the rest of the day. Full shade does not mean no sun as all plants, except mushrooms, need sunlight to thrive.
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A guide to choosing the best potting mix
What you need to know about your soil’s pH levels