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Sun Requirements For Plants: A Complete Guide

By Tanner Sagouspe, Rise Writer
Last Updated: Apr 9, 2025

The sun provides us with the energy we need to power our homes, fuel our crops, and still have more than enough left over for everyone else. But what happens when we remove things that used to absorb the sun (i.e., plants and trees) for the built environment? All the energy that once went into trees and native grasses now cooks our roads and heats our cities.

As a homeowner, you can change that. The right plant at the right place can make all the difference in the world. But how do you know where to place which types of plants? Have you ever wondered what labels like "full sun" and "partial shade" really mean? Let's look at the various levels of sunlight and see what we can plant to absorb some of that extra energy.

Table of Contents

  1. Full Sun
  2. What Plants Grow Best In Full Sun?
  3. Part Shade / Part Sun
  4. What Plants Grow Best in Partial Sun?
  5. Dappled Sun
  6. Full Shade
  7. What Plants Grow Best in Full Shade?
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What Plants Grow Best in Partial Sun?

Some flowers to consider for partial sun/shade are Hyssop and Aster. Hyssop is a Southern European and Middle Eastern flower. It prefers part sun to full sun and has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy and cooking ingredient. Asters are a predominantly Eurasian species and are considered great food plants for larvae of various butterfly species. Andy, they bloom in the fall, after the Echinacea and Black-eyed Susans have died back.

For edible plants, broccoli does well in a partial shade condition. It ideally prefers full sun, but too much direct heat to the soil will cause the vegetable to bolt into flower. Consider placing it in an area that gets morning sun but is protected from the afternoon heat. Mulching the soil will also help keep the soil cooler into the growing season.

Occasionally, there are parts of the yard that are left bare because we don't know what to put there. One of these spots might be near the fence that defines our property lines. Growing plants directly on the fence can be problematic, so consider placing a trellis a few inches away and training some plants on it.

If you have an east-facing fence, consider placing trellised peas and beans. This will create an edible wall for your family to snack. Consider sunflowers on your west-facing fence. These flowers will thrive with the extra sunlight and intense afternoon heat. They act as an attractant to birds and butterflies, and at the end of the season, you will be gifted some homegrown sunflower seeds. (That's if your feathered guests don't get to them first!)

Dappled Sun

"Dappled sun"—meaning the sun that filters through tree canopy above—is similar to, or slightly less than, "partial shade." Plants that like "dappled sun" are relatively uncommon. The types of plants adapted to the dappled sun are typically understory species found in woodland areas. These plants are also the ones that you will see growing under trees in the early spring while the branches are still bare.

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Ferns

What Plants Grow Best in Full Shade?

Most plants that grow in the shade will be able to survive and thrive in low-light conditions. Ferns are an excellent example of plant species that do well in low-light environments. If you're planning on designing a patio or deck in the shade of your house, consider incorporating different ferns or even a few hostas for diversity.

Some leafy greens can also be scattered and incorporated. Kale and spinach are both leafy edibles that can tolerate a variety of climates. They can range from full sun to partial shade, and while they won't produce as well in full shade, they will add a small crop to this otherwise overlooked space.

You can incorporate several plants into the backyard that can take advantage of the sun (or lack thereof). And with proper placement, we can cool our property and even produce a crop where there previously wasn't one. So be creative in your gardens next year. The sky's the limit!

Article By

Tanner Sagouspe

Tanner Sagouspe has a Masters in Environmental Management and is a Permaculture Designer who promotes tackling the climate crisis at home.

Tanner Sagouspe