INTRODUCTION
Container Gardening offers the flexibility to move your plants around whenever necessary. You can easily move your plants from one house to another or from one place to another. You can’t do this in-ground gardening.
This flexibility offers an advantage for gardeners who live in areas where sunlight impacts the area through shadow or extreme weather conditions. Sunlight is a lifeline for plants, so understanding sun exposure zones helps you place the plants in the right place.
Every plant has a unique need for sunlight based on its growth pattern and type. Edibles need full sun, while leafy greens and shade-loving foliage prefer partial shade.
We have already learned a lot about the importance of sunlight and the factors affecting sunlight. In this blog post, you are going to learn about how to find sun exposure zones for your container garden plants and match them with the plant’s light needs.
Contents
1. WHAT ARE SUN EXPOSURE ZONES?
You can categorize the sun exposure zones into four types., Full-sun, Partial-sun, Partial-shade and Full shade. All the plants came under these four types of sunlight needs. Let’s see the duration and intensity that determine this sun exposure level.
Full Sun
These are the zones that receive 6-7 hours of direct sunlight a day on normal days except foggy or rainy days. Normally south in the northern hemisphere and north in the southern hemisphere. These zones have intense and uninterrupted sunlight. Ideal for heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant plants. These spot plants need more frequent watering than other spots due to heat exposure and soil drying.
Partial Sun
These spots receive 3-6 hours of direct sunlight typically during morning or evening. The intensity in these areas is determined by the direction and time of the sunlight received, if it’s east facing the 3-6 hours of sunlight is mostly warmer because the 3 hours are morning warm sunlight and less intense direct sunlight. If the spot is west-facing the intensity is high in those 3-6 hours because of afternoon and evening sunlight.
Partial Shade
These are the areas that receive 3-6 hours of sunlight but less intense sunlight. The rest of the day remains shaded or dappled light. Ideal for plants that need less intense light. These are the places where the morning sun is combined with the afternoon sun.
Full Shade
These are the spots that receive less than 3 hours of sunlight and remain shaded through the day. These areas receive indirect sunlight and dappled sunlight. This area is ideal for shade-loving plants still you need to use reflective wall paint or reflective surface to get the least sunlight.
2. WHY SUN EXPOSURE MATTERS FOR CONTAINERS
- Sunlight is essential for the photosynthesis process where plants convert light-water-carbon dioxide into energy (glucose). The energy fuels the plant’s growth.
- The light’s intensity impacts plants’ growth that’s why flowering and edible plants need more sunlight than foliage plants.
- Sunlight robust the growth and insufficient sunlight leads to weak plant and leggy plants.
- Plants like tomatoes, cucumbers and marigolds require ample sunlight to bloom.
- Inadequate sunlight can lead to fewer blooms and yields.
- Proper sunlight strengthens the stems and deep-coloured leaves.
- Too much sunlight than needed scorch the leaves lesser sunlight leads to disease and Mold.
3. IDENTIFYING SUN EXPOSURE IN YOUR GARDEN
To identify the sun exposure in a particular area you have to observe the sunlight path and duration from sunrise to sunset. There are different methods to identify sun exposure the below listed are some easy methods without any specific tools.
Observing Sunlight Movement
Spend a day to observe how sunlight falls on different areas of your garden. There are some key timings to note the sunlight pattern. Morning (6-9 am) Check the spot for early sunlight, Midday (11 am – 2 pm) observe the brightest and sunniest spots, Evening (3-6 pm) Track the shaded areas as the sunsets. Mark how long each area receives sunlight and compare it with the above type to know about the pattern.
Shadow Method
Checking the shade length and intensity of the shadow also helps to identify sun exposure. Short shadows indicate full and intense sun. Long shadows indicate partial sun or partial shade.
Temperature and Plant Observation
Checking the soil texture is a method of knowing the sun exposure, do this after one or two days of watering not right after the watering or not watered plants for days. Warm & Dry soil indicated a sunnier spot and Cool and moist soil suggested shaded spots.
Documenting sunlight pattern
If you want precise measuring without any tools, you can document the sunlight pattern. Click pictures for every hour between sunrise to sunset for a week to know better about sunlight path and intensity. If you want to know about specific season changes in the sunlight pattern, try this one-week documenting in a particular season.
3. MATCHING PLANTS TO SUN EXPOSURE ZONES
Full-Sun Plants
Full-sun plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight daily and prefer open spaces with little to no shade. Many sun-loving plants are drought-tolerant and heat-resistant these have mechanisms like thick and waxy leaves that reduce water loss. Deep roots access water through the pot.
Most flowering and fruit-bearing plants thrive in direct sunlight. Bright, vibrant flowers and large yields are common in sunny spots. The below-listed plants are sun-loving plants.
FLOWERING PLANTS | FRUITS & VEGETABLES | HERBS | ORNAMENTAL GRASSES & SHRUBS | SUCCULENTS & CACTI |
Partial Sun/Shade Plants
These are the plants that thrive in 3-6 hours of sunlight, they can handle direct sunlight but also flourish in dappled or filtered light. These plants need a balance between sun and shade, and typically need morning sunlight and protection from intense afternoon sun.
The adaptability of sun/shade plants is they can tolerate varying lighting levels thriving in locations with shifting light patterns. Often do well under trees, pergolas or next to taller plants. Partial Shade/Sun plants have moderate heat tolerance they prefer cooler temperatures.
FLOWERING PLANTS | FOLIAGE PLANTS | VEGETABLES | FRUITS & HERBS | SHRUBS |
Lamium | ||||
Hakenechloa | Sorrel | Sweet woodruff | ||
Brunnera | Euonymus | |||
Ajuga | ||||
Monkey Grass |
Full Shade Plants
Full-shade plants are adaptive to low light and thrive even in spaces that receive minimum direct sunlight. These Shade-loving plants are ideal for Corners of gardens, under dense tree canopies or spaces with limited natural light.
Full-shade plants tolerate indirect or filtered light throughout the day. These plants have often broad large and dark leaves to reduce water loss and capture light efficiently. Shade-loving plants are slow-growing varieties because of the limited sunlight intake and shallow root system. Sensitive to overwatering due to slower evaporation.
FLOWERING PLANTS | FOLIAGE PLANTS | GROUND COVERS | SHRUBS |
Japanese yew | |||
Foxglove | Barrenwort | Sweet spire | |
Japanese anemone | Polygonatum | ||
Astilboides tabularis | Foamflower | ||
Browallia | Golden Ragwort | Golden creeping sedum | |
Lady’s Mantle | Mountain laurel | ||
Arisaema | Sweet flag | Mazus reptans | Fatsia japonica |
Cyclamen | Mitchella Repens | Spotted laurel | |
Umbrella plant | Golden star | Winterberry | |
Wood Poppy | Persicaria | Wintercreeper | Leucothoe |
4. ADJUSTING SUN EXPOSURE FOR CONTAINER PLANTS
Container gardening offers great flexibility to move around to pots wherever you want without damaging the plant. The below-mentioned methods help you to make it easier to adjust the sun exposure that your plant needs whether it is harsh sunlight or a place that needs sunlight.
Using movable containers to optimise light
If you’ve very few plants in shade or full sun you can adapt moving plant stands to move around the plant to optimise the light. Using wheels stand for plant also helps you to easily move around the pot in harsh weather or move to other spots and clean.
If you have a hard time moving containers you can invest in stands with wheels or container dolly to move the pots.
Creating Shade to protect the plants
Sometimes the heat waves hit hard on your areas, and even your sun-tolerated plants got scorching. For times like that, you can use a Garden shade cloth or move around the pots to a shaded area. Using umbrellas and canopies is beneficial in patio gardens, terrace gardens and front yard gardens. For Balconies, you can use shade blinds to protect the plants from harsh sun exposure time.
Reflecting Light to Shade areas
Plants in shade areas are sometimes affected by very low light because of structural obstacles or climate changes. I already posted a blog post about sunlight impact factors and their solution, to know more read the blog post.
Using Reflective surfaces like a greenhouse, white painted walls, mirrors and light-coloured pots reflect the sunlight to the plants in shaded areas. This method helps your plants to get the sunlight they want., using this method instead of buying grow lights is a considerable option.
5. SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR SUN EXPOSURE
Spring and Summer
The sunlight intensity in spring and summer is more direct sunlight and stronger. The longer the day the exposure is extended. Shade-tolerant plants or partial sun/shade plants are gonna struggle with this sun exposure so it’s better to move to shaded areas or use any shade protection. Full-sun plants are gonna thrive in summer and spring but they also need proper watering to survive.
Autumn and Winter
In these seasons the sunlight intensity is lower angle, and the daytime is shortened reducing the sun exposure for all plants. Shade-loving plants do better in these climates but sun-loving plants need more light so use reflective surfaces or grow light in these seasons to get the plants’ light needs done.
Light Shifts
Apart from season some artificial light barriers also impact your plants’ light requirement. Tall walls or fences, tall buildings or tree canopies affect the light’s intensity. To solve these problems, use a reflective surface or move around the container are the options.
6. FAQ ON SUN EXPOSURE ZONES
How do I know if my plant is getting enough sun?
You can see the signs of Adequate sunlight by healthy and vibrant leaves, consistent flowering or fruit-bearing, and no signs of leggy plants. The signs of Inadequate sunlight are pale or yellowing leaves, leggy growth (plants stretch toward the light), and Lack of flowering. Check the spotlight and ensure it matches with plant’s light requirement.
Can I grow full-sun plants in partial shade?
Yes, but with some considerations like full-sun plants grow slower in partial shade, because of the limited light intake. Also, they produce fewer flowers and less yield than the sunnier spots.
You need to give some reflective surfaces (mirror, white wall and light-coloured pots) to fulfil the plant’s light requirement. Trimming overhanging branches of nearby light barrier plants to increase light access. Using plants with shade tolerance within the sun-loving category is also helpful.
Shade-tolerant sun-loving plants: –
Marigolds, Zinnias, Geraniums, Snapdragons, Petunias, Basil, Parsley, Mint, Cilantro, Lemongrass, Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Zucchini, Green beans, Monkey Grass, Sedum stonecrop, Daylilies, Hosta and Coreopsis.
CONCLUSION
Understanding sun exposure zones helps you to arrange the containers for thriving growth. The plant’s growth depends on the sunlight. Sunlight is important for the Photosynthesis process plants convert light-water-carbon dioxide into glucose (food for plants). Knowing the plant’s light requirement and your garden’s sunlight path and angle and matching them keep your green thumb alive.
Observing the sun exposure and moving containers based on the light requirements keeps your plants with bright green foliage, flowering and fruit-bearing. Lack of sunlight impacts plant growth; excess sunlight affects the plant leaves scorching. Understanding sun exposure is important in container gardening.
To learn more about container gardening-related hacks and tips in a simple language visit mypotsgarden.com.
Happy Gardening!
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