The difference between full sun and partial sun vegetables and herbs

Plants are frequently described as needing full sun, partial sun, partial shade, or full shade. But what do these terms mean? Discover the difference between each gardening term in this quick guide.

You’ll also find lists of popular vegetables and herbs that need full sun and partial sun to grow in your home garden.

text 'full sun vs partial sun herbs and vegetables" with apicture of a basket with basil and sweet bell peppers

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Plants have to have sunlight (or full spectrum artificial light) in order to perform photosynthesis.

Plants need different amount of sun to thrive. Some plants need full sun while others can tolerate, or even need, some shade.

Full sun is defined as at least 6 hours of sun per day. These 6 hours don’t have to be continuous, but they do need to be direct. (Continuous is better though, especially for summer plants.)

Positioning full sun plants to they receive the most direct sunlight during the hours surrounding solar noon is best.

Popular vegetables and herbs that need full sun include:

tomatoes
Jalapeño peppers, sweet peppers, and other pepper varieties
squash
zucchini
beans
eggplant
basil
corn
watermelon
cantelope
cassava

Partial sun means 4-6 hours of direct sunlight a day.

Many cool weather vegetables can survive in partial sun. They may take longer to mature than in full sun, but they’ll be protected if temperatures are unexpectedly warm late or early in the season.

Vegetables that can grow in partial sun includes things like:

beets
parsnips
rutabaga
potatoes (white potatoes, not sweet potatoes)
carrots
arugula
lettuce
cabbage
broccoli
cauliflower
kale

Many herbs do well in partial sun, including:

Partial sun is required for popular ornamentals like fuschias and begonias.

text overlay "how to plant & grow arugula" over the top of a growing wild arugula plant. It looks like a dandelion, but without yellow flowers

Partial shade means 2-4 hours of direct sunlight a day. It can also refer to filtered sunlight, like through the leaves of an overhead tree.

Plants that require partial shade are typically less robust and need shelter from harsh afternoon sunlight, so make sure that the 2-4 hours of sun is not during the heat of the day.

Many flowers and ornamental plants can thrive in partial shade.

Full shade means the area receives less than two hours of direct sunlight a day. Most garden plants do not need full shade.

As the position of the sun moves throughout the year, the sunlight each part of your yard or garden receives will change. It may be necessary to move container plants to meet their sun requirements.

Full sun cool weather plants, like cilantro, can benefit from partial shade during warmer months.

text "most popular full sun vegetables.- know before you grow!"with a grid with four plants. Plants include red bell peppers, watermelon, tomatoes, and an ear of corn

You may need to move more tender plants so they receive some afternoon shade during the hottest parts of the summer. Providing shade cloth can also help extend the growing season for sensitive plants like cilantro and lettuces.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick look at what terms like full sun and partial sun mean! Put your new knowledge to use when planting your garden and follow the growing guides below for a successful, bountiful garden.