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Full-Sun Native Plants

Full-sun-loving plants do best in places receiving six or more hours of direct sun each day. Not all plants are built to withstand full sun, but plenty of native plants thrive in these conditions. Always check the growing requirements before planting to ensure your chosen plant will thrive in full sun. 

Native plants not only have the added benefit of being well adapted to local conditions, but they can also provide food and habitat for local wildlife. So if you're looking for full-sun native plants for your garden or landscape, check out the best plants for direct sunlight below.

Not sure if these are the right native plants for your garden? Try using our native plant finder.You can also shop by state for the perfect native plants!

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Patio Pollinator 6-Plant Collection

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Merry Monarchs Plant Collections (I)

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Whorled Milkweed Plant Sets

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Monarch Munchables 6-Plant Collection

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Merry Monarchs Plant Collections (II)

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$108.00
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Grayleaf Goldenrod Plant Sets

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Monarch Magnet Plant Collections

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Garden For Wildlife E-Gift Card

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Orange Butterfly Milkweed Plant Sets (I)

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Firefly Delight 12-Plant Collection

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Summer Songbird Plant Collections (I)

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Little Bluestem Grass Plant Sets

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Pollinator Picnic Plant Collections (I)

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Pollinator Picnic Plant Collections (II)

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$108.00
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Spring Bee Buffet 6-Plant Collection

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Swamp Milkweed Plant Sets

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American Beautyberry Shrub

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$34.20
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Buttonbush Shrub

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Summer Songbird Plant Collections (II)

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$108.00
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Frogfruit Plant Sets

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Hummingbird Haven Plant Collections (I)

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Monarch Munchables 18-Plant Collection

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$133.20
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$133.20
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$148.00
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Orange Butterfly Milkweed Plant Sets (II)

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$42.00
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Prairie Blazing Star Plant Sets

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butterfly icon
You’ll help birds, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, other insects, amphibians and small mammals, and reptiles.
globe icon
Your impact reaches far beyond your own garden. You’ll be creating habitat for declining wildlife, but also helping to reduce urban heat islands and manage storm water runoff.
house icon
Bring nature home. There’s no easier place to get a daily dose of nature and the physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
hands holding a plant icon
All orders support our non-profit mission to help declining wildlife and expand native plant availability nationwide.
butterfly icon
You’ll help birds, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, other insects, amphibians and small mammals, and reptiles.
glove icon
Your impact reaches far beyond your own garden. You’ll be creating habitat for declining wildlife, but also helping to reduce urban heat islands and manage storm water runoff.
house icon
Bring nature home. There’s no easier place to get a daily dose of nature and the physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
hand holding a plant icon
All orders support our non-profit mission to help declining wildlife and expand native plant availability nationwide.
butterfly icon
You’ll help birds, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, other insects, amphibians and small mammals, and reptiles.
globe icon
Your impact reaches far beyond your own garden. You’ll be creating habitat for declining wildlife, but also helping to reduce urban heat islands and manage storm water runoff.
house icon
Bring nature home. There’s no easier place to get a daily dose of nature and the physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
hand holding a plant icon
All orders support our non-profit mission to help declining wildlife and expand native plant availability nationwide.
butterfly icon
You’ll help birds, pollinators such as bees, butterflies, other insects, amphibians and small mammals, and reptiles.
globe icon
Your impact reaches far beyond your own garden. You’ll be creating habitat for declining wildlife, but also helping to reduce urban heat islands and manage storm water runoff.
house icon
Bring nature home. There’s no easier place to get a daily dose of nature and the physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
hand holding a plant icon
All orders support our non-profit mission to help declining wildlife and expand native plant availability nationwide.

FAQs about Full-Sun Native Plants

Can full-sun garden plants grow in the shade? The short answer is no, not to their best potential. Full-sun plants thrive in direct sunlight for at least six hours a day and may struggle or do poorly in shady spots. That said, some of these plants may survive in partial shade with good care, although it’s likely they will not bloom.

However, it's best to plant these plants where they will get the amount of sunlight they need to reach their full growth potential. When choosing plants for your garden, always consider their sunlight needs and choose the best location for each one accordingly. And remember that when it comes to full-sun plants, it's best to let them soak up those rays.

Perennial plants are those that live for more than two years, meaning they will come back year after year with proper care.

A short-lived perennial is generally one that only grows for three years. However, some perennials have been known to be much more durable and can continue to bloom every year for more than 50 years!

These plants are great options for your garden because they require less effort in the long run compared to annuals, which only last one season. So consider adding some full-sun perennials from our native plant collection. Not only are they beautiful, but they are native to North America and require little maintenance.

You can buy or shop for perennials according to your state by using our < ahref="https://gardenforwildlife.com/pages/shop-native-plants-by-state">native plant by state finder. With a bit of research, you can find the best perennial plants for full-sun areas in your yard and enjoy their beauty for years to come.

Did you know that sunlight is essential for plants to create energy for themselves through photosynthesis? Some need direct sunlight for several hours a day, while others only need part shade. Some may even prefer full shade. But they all need sunlight to some extent.

If you're looking to add some new greenery to your outdoor space, be sure to consider full sun native plants. They are specifically adapted to growing in direct sunlight and will have an easier time thriving in your yard or garden.

For plants, "shade” means an area receiving less direct sunlight. This can be naturally occurring, such as beneath tall trees, artificially constructed on the north side of a building, or occasionally, like using an awning or umbrella to block the sun.

While plants that grow in full sun can thrive in higher levels of direct light, others prefer more shade and may shrivel up or even die if placed in too much sun. Similarly, while some flowers might love basking in direct sunlight all day long, others may prefer a bit of shade and will flourish when given protection from the intense rays.

So next time you plan your garden or pick out plants for your outdoor space, remember to consider how much shade they may need to thrive. And don't forget to take breaks from the sunshine yourself - finding some shade on those hot summer days is important for both plants and people.

Understanding the amount of sunlight your plants need can be crucial for their success. Full-sun plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Part sun plants tolerate a mix of sun and shade. Some plants prefer to live in total shade.

Shade plants can't handle any direct sunlight and instead thrive in dappled light or indirect sunlight. So before planting your garden, pay attention to the light requirements of each plant to ensure they have the right conditions for growth.

And remember, even full-sun garden plants may need some relief during the hottest part of the day — offering them some shade in the afternoon can go a long way toward keeping them happy and healthy.

You can dig deeper into this subject with our guide to plants and sunlight.

When determining whether your plants that thrive in full sun need more sunlight, there are a few indicators to look for. First, check for stretching or lengthening of stems and fewer leaves; this means the plants are searching for more light. Plants may also lean towards the sun, or their leaves may change color.

Another sign could be a lack of flowering, as plants use sunlight to power their blooming process. If you notice any of these symptoms, try moving your plants to a sunnier area or trim nearby plants and remove obstacles that may be blocking sunlight.

When it comes to watering plants, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Different plants have varying water needs, so it's important to research your specific plants before setting a watering schedule.

However, one general rule of thumb is to avoid watering plants during the hottest part of the day. This is because the heat from the sun will cause the water to evaporate before it can properly soak into the soil, leaving your plants with inadequate hydration. Plus, some plants naturally grow in full-sun environments and can handle dry conditions.

If you do have plants requiring more frequent watering in full sun areas, consider installing shade structures or choosing native plants adapted to these conditions. Ultimately, the best approach to watering full-sun plants is to establish a regular schedule and monitor your plants for signs of dehydration or overwatering.