Sunlight – Do Carnivorous Plants Need It?
Many new gardeners wonder, “Do carnivorous plants need sunlight?” The truth is, it depends. Although most plants that grow well in the shade will do just as well when given afternoon sunshine, not all plants do equally well. Some prefer a shady spot, some prefer full sun, and others, carnivorous plants. Let’s look at why some plants don’t do well under the sun, and what kinds of plants should be considered, more suitable for full sunlight, or shade.
Sunflowers are one plant that benefit from sunlight, but they are not the best choice for a shady spot in your garden. If you have them in your garden, they probably won’t bloom for another year if planted there during the months of May to September. This is because of the temperature at this time of the year. These plants love the sun but, their leaves get burned off very easily, and their roots rot even more easily. You want to avoid planting them in areas that may have very cold weather during these months, as well.
Most perennials love full sunlight, so they’re a great plant to place in your garden even during the winter months. Of course, you’ll want to give them about one month of direct sunlight each week, and they will usually survive just fine. But, if you find that your perennials are not doing well, it may be time to relocate them to a different part of your yard.
Carnations are also very popular and do quite well in full sunlight. However, they do lose their leaves during the colder months. If you have many of these plants, you may want to consider pruning them, or cutting them back to keep them healthier during the winter months. Some plants that need full sunlight include impatiens, favorites, Japanese mangosteen, honeysuckle, ryegrass, and the likes. There are many more to mention, but this is a good start.
There are a lot of herbs that do well on a sunny afternoon, or full afternoon, depending on where you live. If you decide to grow your own herbs, make sure you have planted them in a location that receives at least six hours of full sunlight each day. Many herbs like a sunny spot, but there are some that will do better in shaded areas. One way to determine which areas your herbs will do best is to look at how much sun they get during each season of the year. If you do that, you’ll be able to choose the right conditions for growing your herbs.
Some plants, such as the cactus, do better in partial shade during certain times of the year. Just check with your local nursery to see what plants they recommend growing in your area. The truth is, some plants do better in partial shade and others do better in full sun. It’s up to you to figure out what type of climate you have in your area, but if you have issues with shading, you might want to consider growing a different type of plant.
Now, back to the question, “Do pitcher plants need sunlight?” Good news! Even if you have trouble getting a lot of sunlight, there are other ways to get the plant growing properly. Growing anything using natural methods means that you don’t have to rely on any kind of chemicals to get your plants to thrive.
If you don’t have a spot to grow your herbs, you can grow them indoors in a small pot. Make sure that it has good drainage, because it will be growing in water. Do that and you’re almost there. As long as you follow the basic rules above and take care of your plants, they should do fine. Now, when you ask the question, “Do pitcher plants need sunlight?” you’ll know the answer.