Digitalseed: Sunlight Exposure

Digitalseed Index

Digital Composter

Worldwide Gardener

Common Ground

Digital Gardener

San Diego Gardener

Building
A Garden

Environmental
Requirements

Soil
Tilth
Fertility
Soil Tests
Improvement

Water
Irrigation
Xeriscape

USDA Zones
Database
Map Key
(Calif.)
(S.Calif.)

Sunset Zones
Database
Map Key
(Calif.)
(S.Calif.)
(San Diego)

Microclimates

Sunlight Exposure

A plant's sunlight exposure requirements (or shade requirements) may vary with climate. Southern California tends to have a more intense daylight and higher evapotranspiration rate than some of the more humid and cloudier regions of the US. Hence, some plants may need a bit more shade in our area than reported in some references.

The sunlight exposure of your garden may vary with the seasons. Shadows are longer in winter (with the noon sun at about 30 degrees up) and shorter in summer (with the noon sun at about 75 degrees up). Winter days are also shorter (as little as 10 hours in San Diego County) while summer days are longer (as much as 14 hours in San Diego County).

Definitions

Full Sun. At least six hours of direct sunlight (between 10am to 6pm).

Light Shade. About six hours of direct sunlight (total) or lightly dappled shade throughout the day.

Partial Shade. (Also called half-shade, medium-shade, semi-shade, or partial-sun) About four to six hours of direct sunlight (total) or moderately dappled shade throughout the day.

Full Shade. Less than four hours of direct sunlight (total) or heavily dappled shade throughout the day.

Special Cases

Dense Shade. Perpetual dark shade to nearly-complete darkness. Good for mushrooms. Few other plants will survive for long although some notable exceptions include Boston ivy, English ivy, dead nettle, goutweed, and pachysandra.

Deciduous Shade. Areas with more direct sunlight during months when deciduous trees lose their leaves. This is one way to moderate intense summer exposure yet allow some light during the fall-winter season.

Afternoon Shade and Morning Sun. Often a good combination for shade-loving plants. Sunlight while the day is still cool then shade when it gets warm.

Morning Shade and Afternoon Sun. Often not the best combination. Too long to warm up and too much hot, drying sunlight after it finally does get warm.

Digitalseed Index | Digital Gardener | Digital Composter | San Diego Gardener | Worldwide Gardener