With their sculptural shapes and textures, succulents have become increasingly popular as houseplants and in gardens But in order to keep these plants looking their best, there’s one key requirement – plenty of sunlight In this article, we’ll explore why sun is so important for succulents and how much light different varieties need to thrive.
Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems or roots This allows them to withstand dry conditions There are over 60 plant families that contain succulents, from cacti to aloes and jade plants.
Most succulents originate from warm, sunny climates like deserts and tropical regions. As a result, they have adapted to thrive in full sun conditions. When grown as houseplants or in temperate gardens, they require as much direct sun as possible to replicate their native environments.
Insufficient sunlight leads to poor growth, leggy stems and a lackluster appearance. Placing succulents in the proper amount of sun keeps them looking lush and compact.
How Much Sun Do Succulents Need?
Many succulents require 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day. Some varieties need even more – up to 12 hours of sun.
Of course, succulents can experience sunburn if light levels are excessive. Filtering harsh midday sun or providing shade in very hot climates can prevent damage.
Some key factors determine exactly how much sun your succulents need:
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Type of succulent – Certain species are adapted for higher light. Others naturally grow in shadier spots.
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Native habitat – Desert succulents demand more sun than varieties from tropical forests.
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Indoor or outdoor growth – Outdoor plants can absorb more direct sunlight than indoor succulents.
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Climate – Succulents grown in cool or marine climates need more sun than those in intense desert heat.
Getting to know the natural growth habits and lighting needs of your specific succulents will help you provide optimal sun exposure.
Sun-Loving Succulents
Here are some common succulent varieties that require full sun to look their best:
- Jade plant
- Burro’s tail
- Hen and chicks
- Echeveria
- Sedum
- Aeonium
- Senecio
- Agave
- Cacti like Prickly pear and Ball cactus
- Sempervivum like Hens and Chicks
These sun worshippers thrive with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. In warmer climates, morning sun with afternoon shade helps prevent burning.
Low-Light Succulents
Some succulents grow in shadier spots in their native habitats and can tolerate lower light conditions:
- Haworthia
- Gasteria
- Schlumbergera or Christmas cactus
- Certain aloes like Aloe vera
- Sansevieria or snake plant
- Euphorbia tirucalli or pencil cactus
While these succulents don’t require full sun, they will still benefit from 4-6 hours of sunlight, especially in cooler climates. They can adapt to lower light than sun-loving varieties.
Caring for Indoor Succulents
When growing succulents indoors, the brightest window is best. South-facing windows are ideal as they receive sun throughout the day. East or west windows also work well. North windows generally don’t provide enough direct sun.
If your sunlight is limited, consider supplementing with a grow light. LED daylight bulbs are an affordable option that mimics the blue and red wavelengths plants love.
Rotate your indoor succulents occasionally for even sun exposure. Dust any leaves that aren’t exposed to rain – sunlight won’t penetrate dirt!
Growing Succulents Outdoors
In the garden, plant succulents where they will receive maximum sunlight. Position them in beds and borders facing south if possible.
If planting succulents in containers outdoors, move them around to capture the most sun throughout the day. Carefully acclimate new plants to prevent sunburn.
Shelter succulents from intense midday sun if needed. Placing pots beneath larger plants or using a shade cloth helps provide protection from the harshest rays.
Signs Your Succulents Need More Sun
Determine if your succulents are getting enough light by observing their growth habits:
- Leggy, weak stems
- Sparse, wide set leaves
- Loss of compact rosette shape
- Stretched out growth
- Fading of bright colors
- Dull, washed out appearance
- Leaves angled downward seeking light
If you notice these changes, gradually introduce more direct sun, ideally a few more hours daily. This will help compact the plant and return it to a healthy, robust appearance.
Achieving the Perfect Sun-Succulent Balance
From cacti to echeveria, most succulents need generous amounts of sunlight to look their best. Start by understanding your particular varieties’ light needs, then provide the brightest spot possible indoors or out.
Shade cloth, sheer curtains and proper acclimation prevent sunburn. With a little trial and error, you’ll find the perfect sun-succulent balance for your climate and growing conditions. Soon you’ll have gorgeous, thriving plants in radiant colors to brighten your indoor and outdoor spaces.
So how much sunlight they need?
Therefore, we do not recommend exposing your succulents to direct full sun in temperatures above 90°F. Instead, put them in filtered sunlight or some shade to make sure they get at least four to six hours of sun every day. Then, they will be happy to thrive.
Is there any ways to fix low-light conditions?
The answer is yes!
1. The easiest way is to grow succulents near the window. The morning sun is brighter and lasts longer through windows that face south or east.
2. Different from the 1st way, there are some window box planters which are very beautiful. Growing succulents in a window box is a half indoor and half outdoor way to plant succulents. If you don’t want the window box to hold too much water, especially after it rains, choose a planter pot with holes in it so the water can drain out.
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3. Another good way to fix low light is to use an artificial grow light, especially in cities that get a lot of rain in the winter. There are lots of grow lights in the market. You can read lots of reviews and compare different brands before placing an order.
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Should Succulents Grow In Shade Or Sun
FAQ
Can a succulent get too much sun?
How often should you water succulents?
Can succulents survive without direct sunlight?
Can succulents take hot afternoon sun?
Do succulents need a lot of Sun?
The majority of succulents, like other succulents, are absolute sun worshipers, though there are a few exceptions. How Many Hours of Sunlight Do Succulents Need? In general, succulents need at least 4-6 hours of sunlight a day to keep them happy. They enjoy being in areas with lots of sunlight.
Can succulents live without direct sunlight?
The simple answer is no; no succulent, like any other indoor plant, will endure over time in the complete absence of bright indirect light. Succulent plants can, in fact, live without direct sunlight for a short while, but how long depends on the species.
How much light do succulents need?
But we’re not interested in those. The optimal light temperature for growing succulents is 6000K-6500K. That light temperature is about the same as the light the sun gives off. While we’re talking about it – some bulbs are marketed as “full-spectrum”.
Do cacti & succulents need a lot of Sun?
How Long To Avoid Sunburn When we think of cacti and succulents, we usually think of desert plants that require intense heat and bright sun. However, contrary to this belief, most succulents do not thrive very well under blasting full sun exposure and extremely hot temperatures.