Direct sunlight is an essential part of a backyard landscape, but not every yard gets it. So what are the best plants for direct sun? We’ll take a look at vegetables, succulents, cacti, and more! You’ll be glad you read this article! There are many choices available, and we’ll cover all of them here. Hopefully, you’ll find one that suits your backyard and style!
Vegetables
Vegetables that prefer full sun are not necessarily those that don’t grow in partial shade. Most fruit-bearing plants thrive in full sun, while some are happiest in shade. Tomatoes, for example, require full sunlight to flower and fruit properly. In full sunlight, their fruits ripen. Listed below are some vegetables that require full sunlight to grow well. These vegetables will make your garden a thriving place to grow fruits and vegetables.
In a full-sun garden, the plant receives six hours of direct sunlight each day. However, this constant heat from the sun affects other plants, affecting water evaporation and growth. Vegetables that prefer partial shade grow better in partially shaded areas. Leafy vegetables typically need more than six hours of direct sunlight a day, and root vegetables thrive in the shade. Full sun is not good for all plants, however, so it’s best to be prepared for the potential risks associated with growing vegetables in your garden.
Vegetables with low sun tolerance include tomato, cucumber, peppers, squash, and cucumbers. Most of these plants will tolerate partial shade, though root vegetables are the least tolerant. Half-days of full sun are necessary for root vegetables, but they also benefit from filtered sunlight. Leafy vegetables should be planted in filtered sunlight to avoid sunburn. In full sunlight, tomatoes and peppers require at least six hours of direct sunlight a day.
Perennials
A few perennials thrive in full sunlight. Hens and chicks are hardy perennials with tiny offspring. They tolerate dry soil, drought, and deer. If your garden has a lot of sun, consider planting one of these plants in the back of your bed. You can also plant creeping phlox, which is low-growing and a beautiful ground cover. It requires little care and thrives in drought conditions.
Coreopsis is another perennial that can tolerate full sun. This plant grows 18 to 24 inches tall and only needs to be watered when the soil feels dry. The plant is a beautiful groundcover that can be planted as early as spring once the risk of frost has passed. Depending on the species, you may need to prune it regularly to keep it looking neat. You can also plant dwarf versions of some perennials for more space.
Coneflowers are low-maintenance and low-water plants. They are drought-resistant and heat-resistant. The Dragon’s Blood sedum is an excellent groundcover plant, with red and green foliage. Coneflowers are best grown in full sunlight, but will also grow well in partial shade. If you want a plant with big, showy flowers, try purple coneflower, which can grow up to 3 feet tall and bloom from early summer to fall. Butterflies love purple coneflowers.
Succulents
Before you choose a succulent, you should learn as much as you can about its water and heat requirements. Most Aeoniums, for instance, prefer cooler temperatures and are best grown in winter. Most Cacti are happier in warm temperatures, although some, such as Agaves and Aloes, do well in direct sunlight. The best way to learn about a succulent’s needs is by consulting plant databases and asking people in your neighborhood.
The easiest way to find the perfect succulent plant is to consider its water requirements. Succulents are known to tolerate full sunlight, but it is important not to overwater them as this can lead to failure. You also need to make sure that they get sufficient re-fertilization. In direct sunlight, they are not likely to need much fertilizer. A succulent that has a good water balance needs very little water.
A succulent that does well in direct sunlight is the paddle plant. Its flat leaves are bright red, especially in the summer. The plant blooms with yellow flowers when it’s four years old. You may also want to consider the paddle plant, or Kalanchoe thyrsiflora. It’s known for its red leaves, which are especially beautiful in full sunlight. And you can’t beat the versatility of this plant!
Cactus
If you plan to grow cactus in your home, the best place for them is on a south-facing window. The sun in this location is not as strong during the morning, but the afternoon sunlight is. You can also try placing them under a tall tree to provide shade. Direct sunlight can cause permanent scarring. It is essential to provide proper drainage for your cactus. Listed below are some tips to care for your cactus plant.
Full-sun cacti require at least ten hours of direct sunlight, while low-light varieties require as little as six hours. If you’re moving your cactus plants from the indoors to the outdoor environment, you’ll need to acclimate them slowly to the heat. During hot weather, it’s a good idea to move your cactus plant from direct sunlight to indirect light to avoid damaging it.
Sansevieria trifasciata
Sansevieria trifaciata can be grown indoors or outdoors and is hardy in USDA growing zones 9-11. However, it prefers a dry climate and requires good drainage. This makes it an excellent candidate for a desert landscape. The leaves of this plant have a thick cuticle that protects them from drying in arid conditions.
To care for this plant, make sure it receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Morning and afternoon sun are not sufficient. The minimum temperature should be between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Watering frequency will vary based on where you live. In general, you can water this plant every two weeks during the summer and once a month in winter.
A popular plant for gardens, Sansevieria trifa-ciata has long leaves with curved edges. Its variegated gold and green leaves are attractive to the eye. It produces a tight clump of vertical leaves. The tree can be invasive in tropical climates. Regardless of location, this plant is a great choice for those who want a small, low-growing shrub.
String of pearls
If you want to grow a beautiful plant in your home, then a string of pearls is a great choice. The plant’s vining foliage makes it ideal for a hanging pot, as well as a planter. The best pot for a string of pearls is one that is porous to reduce moisture retention and allow for more oxygen flow. Make sure the pot has a drainage hole.
When growing a String of Pearls plant, make sure it gets plenty of indirect sunlight. It is best to place the plant near a sunny window in the house. It is best if it faces a south or east-facing window. Make sure it is not too close to a window, as it can burn the leaves and cause them to yellow. If you see the leaves turning yellow, you may have overwatered it, or it needs better drainage. If the leaves are turning yellow, move the plant a few inches away from a window.
If you want to keep your string of pearls in direct sunlight, make sure it gets indirect light as well as direct sunlight. The best way to get the most out of this plant is to keep it in direct sunlight in the morning, and diffused indirect light during the afternoon. If the plant receives too much sun, it may develop root rot. It may also attract mealybugs or aphids.
Croton
This plant has green and yellow leaves. Its family ties it to the Euphorbia plant family. It’s mildly poisonous to humans and pets, but its beautiful leaves are a great visual accent. There are several varieties of crotons. They have two to 12 inches long, oval, lobed, strappy, or twisted leaves. Depending on where you buy them, you can purchase the variety with the most distinctive color.
While many crotons grow well in direct sunlight, some varieties can be prone to leaf drop. This could be due to recent moves, too dry a climate, or cold temperatures. In such cases, you may want to treat your croton with a mild neem oil solution. Crotons prefer temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, so bring your plants indoors before the temperatures drop below that. Be sure to place them away from exterior doors and windows.
If you are planning to place a croton near a window, make sure it has six to twelve inches between the light source and the plant itself. This way, the light will be able to penetrate the plant’s leaves without scorching them. But if you’re living in a place where the sun is too intense, you can always move it to a sunny window.
Desert rose
A desert rose plant requires a large amount of direct sunlight. Unlike other roses that require a lot of water to thrive, desert roses do not have a deep root system above ground. Instead, they develop a caudex below the soil’s surface that can be exposed without harming the plant. Plants can also be grafted for different flower colors or stock types. Occasionally, European Desert roses are grafted to a stock of Oleander. This allows for quicker growth and increased flower production.
To ensure your plant will bloom well, repot it in a container that provides plenty of drainage. It should be placed on a slope to allow water to drain away from the plant. Alternatively, mound the soil to raise the plant and prevent weeds from growing. When repotting, wait until the plant has reached three years of age before exposing its caudex. A repotting should be carefully performed before exposing the caudex, as this risk will result in sunburn for the new growth.