Most herbs, like other plants and grass seeds, will thrive under the morning sun, but there is a variety that prefers light shade or dense shade, depending on its type and requirements. You can read more on the best shade plants for your garden and how to care for them through our extensive gardening guides.
If you are interested in growing your own fresh herbs but don’t quite know where to start, or if you want to know the most vigorous herbs that will grow best in your country’s climate, then this article will help you understand all the necessary information needed to grow enjoy fresh herbs in direct sun or in dense or light shade.
Gardeners will often use the term ‘full sun’ to refer to sun exposure over 6 hours a day, whereas ‘partial sun’ means approximately 4-6 hours a day and ‘partial shade’ is 3-4 hours. Plants that require little or scare sun also include air plants and some shade-loving herbs. Full sun doesn’t always mean continuous light or heat from the sun, but it can refer to some herbs that grow better in a container or on the windowsill where there is direct sunlight.
Most herbs do not need to be in the sun all the time and are resilient enough to thrive even without direct sun exposure. Here is a detailed list of herbs you can grow in your herb gardens and the amount of sun exposure that can help in their growth.
Key Tips to Grow Herbs in the Sun
Before you grab your hoe and shovel and start herb gardening, it is vital to understand some herb garden growing tips. If you have ever wondered how many hours of sunlight or dappled shade your herbs need, then keep on reading for garden planning tips.
1. Good Irrigation and Drainage
It goes without saying that all plants require excellent drainage and irrigation. Even if your herb garden is spotted directly under the full sun, there is still a risk of water logging and flooding during rainy seasons. Without proper drainage, your herbs may sink or their roots may begin to rot rapidly. Always ensure that you are using appropriate mulch to absorb excess water and create a working drainage system for well drained soil. If you are interested, you can also check our guide on plants that don’t need drainage.
2. Mulching
As mentioned above, mulching can be extremely beneficial for the overall health of your herb garden and especially for the soil. Using an organic mulch for a raised bed or wood chips for potted or container herbs will help absorb excess moisture whilst also ensuring ample hydration for your herb roots. Moist soil is essential to grow herbs and keep them well fed. Mulch also helps combat heat, weed growth, or if your soil feels dry.
3. Pruning
While most perennial herbs will thrive under direct sunlight, they still require some attention and care overwinter. Remember to prune back periodically and cover the base of your herb garden with a fleece or mulch.
4. Dry Hot Wind Prevention
Dry hot wind is dangerous for your herbs and if there is a patch in the garden that isn’t covered or shielded against it, then your herbs may die or dry out. It is perfectly alright to miss a few hours of direct or indirect light, but protecting your herbs against significant moisture loss and dry hot wind should always be a priority.
5. Ample Exposure to Direct Sun
Most herbs prefer the direct sun but some will also thrive in pots or on your windowsill. Whichever spot you pick for them, make sure that it is sunny enough and that the bright green leaves receive 5-6 hours of sun daily.
6. Protection Against Frost
Young seedlings require extra care and attention. Always wait for the frost to pass before you plant them but just because they receive ample sunlight during summertime does not mean that this will also be the case in late April. Cover your seeds to protect against early frost.
7. Trial First, Plant Later
An excellent hack to gauge the hours of sunlight required by your herb garden is to first plant them in pots and place them under the sun. Once you have determined the hours of sunlight correctly, you can start planting your herbs in the ground. This is especially handy for those who are new to gardening and who may risk misjudging and placing a shade loving herb under the sun for hours.
8. Grow What You Like and Eat
A handy tip is growing herbs that you are familiar with and that you enjoy eating and cooking with. If you aren’t used to tarragon or lemon balm, do not plant massive beds of it all over your garden. Herbs will grow at a rapid pace and a few seed packets will go a long way.
How to Grow Herbs in Full Sun
Keep in mind that herbs that prefer direct sunlight can also survive in partial shade. While they may prefer the former, they certainly won’t wilt away with fewer hours of full sun daily. However, herbs that do not like the full sun will wilt and fade if you place them in the heat. Some may reduce in flavor and aroma and others will simply bolt.
A rule of thumb to follow is that woody and soft herbs will a;ways prefer a shady spot or partial sun. Too much dappled sun can cause them to damage or wilt, but there are herbs that are an exception such as parsley or basil which can thrive in heavy sunshine as well.
Mediterranean herbs thrive in full sun all day long. Some such varieties include marjoram, rosemary, oregano, and thyme. They are incredibly resilient and can even grow in drought conditions.
Growing herbs with a passive watering system can be quite handy and can keep them from over-hydrating even when under full sun. However, herbs like rosemary are drought tolerant and do not need such systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 4 hours of sun enough for herbs?
Yes, for most types of sun-loving herbs, 4 hours is a good amount of sun exposure. However, aromatic herbs with woody stems such as rosemary or sage may have 6-8 hours of sunlight requirements.
Will basil grow in shade?
No, basil will not grow in shade. It is a tropical herb and will need at leas a few hours of full sunlight to thrive. A sunny spot is ideal for growing this herb, but continuous sun can also be damaging. After 6-8 hours of sun requirements, it will benefit from the afternoon shade.
Can parsley get too much sun?
Yes, parsley can get too much sun, especially if it is still young. The mature varieties do not need semi shade or part shade. Parsley thrives in the sun all day but its seedlings may be less tolerant and will require some hours in full shade as well.
