How to Grow Plants with the Light You Have: An Introduction

Soil, water, sun. That's about all a plant needs to grow, right? Well, the answer is yes and no. Simply put, these are the three main ingredients required if you want your plant to survive. But each plant needs different amounts of sun, water, and soil. There are also many different ways to provide these main ingredients.

Take the sun, or light, for example. Some plants, such as roses, magnolias, and lavender, require heavy doses of sunshine. Other species, that include ferns, hostas, and basil, prefer shadier spots. Without knowing how much light your plant requires, chances are it won't survive.

Fortunately, we've provided a bunch of tips within this article to help you separate the light from the darkness. You'll learn more than you probably knew there was to know about the best methods for providing your beloved plants with light, including the following:

  • Sun Requirements for Plants

    Here, we'll first discusses how to assess the light conditions in your yard. Which areas receive tons of sun? Do you have any particular shady spots your plants can take advantage of? This detective work is necessary in order to choose and plant the right species of plants in the right lighting conditions. You'll also learn what constitutes full shade, partial shade, and light shade.

    The article then moves on to explore how to make the most out of your lighting conditions. For example, did you know that you could simply paint a dark wall white to reflect more sun onto a garden bed? You can also remove the lower limbs on trees that are especially shady to give you more sunny options in your yard. Be sure to read tips on when and how to prune, because you'll want to ensure that you don't get too "trim happy."

    Read on to learn about the importance of sun intensity, which in English translates to how much eastern or western exposure a plant receives. Some plants won't be able to handle heavy western exposure in the afternoon, resulting in the death of delicate leaves or the fading of brightly colored flowers. Likewise, eastern exposure results in a shady afternoon, so plants that require heavy sun won't be happy there.

    What about indoor plants? Don't worry -- this article provides helpful tips on getting houseplants the light they need as well. After reading this article, you may determine you need fluorescent lights or grow lights to keep your plants healthy in the cold winter months.

    Finally, be sure to check out the useful sidebars on which plants prefer sunny conditions and which ones like the shade. This will come in handy at your local garden center after you've assessed your lighting conditions.

So, yes -- sun, soil, and water are all a plant really needs. But if you take care to provide the proper amounts of these ingredients using the best methods we provide, you'll be able to keep each and every plant in your garden happy, healthy, and most importantly, alive.

Sun Requirements for Plants

Many plants, especially lawn grass, flowers, roses, vegetables, fruit trees, and conifers (needle-leaved evergreens) thrive in bright sun, which provides abundant energy for growth, flowering, and fruiting. But some plants, particularly those native to forests and glens, need shadier conditions. Learn the sun requirements of any plant you intend to grow so you can put it in the right place.

Consider sun exposure when planting near the house.