Difference Between Sun Plants & Shade Plants

Every plant has preferences about sun, soil, water and food.

Planning a yard or garden includes choosing plants and then working to provide the ideal growing conditions for those plants. One of the most important aspects is giving a plant the right amount and type of sun exposure.

Sun Plant

Sun plants require full or at least partial sun to grow and thrive. This means that they need six to eight hours of full sun every day, and they may not grow or thrive without this exposure. If sun plants sit in the shade, they'll grow leggy, with long stems that reach for the sunlight. Sun plants generally don't bloom if they're in the shade.

Shade Plants

Shade plants require cooler, shaded conditions for growth. Gardeners should plant these plants in full shade or dappled sunlight to keep them out of direct sun exposure. Shade plants that sit in full sun may wilt, shrivel, burn or die.

Other Differences

All plants have specific likes and dislikes when it comes to growing. Other differences include amount of water, soil preferences and fertilizing requirements. Gardeners should satisfy all of a plant's requirements to see it grow and bloom.

References

• Gardening Know How: Full Sun Plants
• Backyard Gardener: Shade Gardening