What Does Full Sun Mean?
Every plant label has full sun, partial sun, and partial shade! But what does full sun mean? What about partial sun and partial shade? We are here to break it down in understandable terms.
To keep plants healthy and thriving, we have to provide them with the appropriate amount of light. Light is essential in a plant’s production of food. If we place a plant that needs full sun in a spot that only gets partial sun, we risk stunting its growth and possibly killing it.
What Does Full Sun Mean?
If a plant requires full sun, they need at least six hours of direct sun per day. The plants aren’t picky about when they get the sun, just that they receive six hours of it.
It doesn’t matter if a spot receives six hours of sun in the morning, midday, or the afternoon. It also is acceptable for the six hours to be broken up during the day. For example, the plant may get four hours of direct sun in the morning and two hours in the afternoon.
What Does Partial Sun Mean?
You might think partial sun and partial shade are the same. But they aren’t. Partial sun means less than full sun, about four to six hours of direct sun per day.
What Does Partial Shade Mean?
Partial shade generally means plants receive two to four hours of direct sun per day. Plants may get some full sun at times and full shade at others. The best scenario is for a plant to receive full sun in the mornings and shade in the afternoons.
What Does Shade Mean?
Shade means less than two hours of direct sun per day. Shade is also broken down into two categories:
- Light Shade
- Heavy Shade
Light Shade
Light shade is filtered sun. For example, the sun peeking through a canopy of leaves is filtered and considered light shade.
Heavy Shade
Heavy shade is the same as full or dense shade. Plants that love heavy shade prefer no direct sunlight. No direct sunlight does not mean without light. All plants need light to survive and produce food.
When planning a garden, landscape, or growing houseplants, knowing each plant’s light preferences goes a long way in keeping your plants healthy and thriving.
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What Does Full Sun Mean?
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I’ve always loved gardening and recently started gardening full-time. I also enjoy tending to our chickens, dogs, and other family pets (a bird, a snake, and rabbits).
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