One of the most well-liked flowering plants in America is the lilac. It’s known for its beautiful, fragrant blooms and has been cultivated since the mid-1700s. It should therefore come as no surprise that this tough plant is a wonderful addition to your yard or landscape!
But did you know that lilacs have a preference for light? In fact, they need full sun in order to grow. If you’re wondering about how much sun lilac needs—or whether it can handle shade—keep reading.
How Much Sun Does Lilac Need?
It does best in full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. In fact, lilac likes to be planted where it will receive some afternoon shade because it does better if it doesn’t bake all day long in the sun.
The time and location of planting will determine how much light your lilac needs:
- Spring-planted lilacs will need more sun than fall-planted ones.
- Lilacs that are planted in open areas with lots of direct sunlight will thrive on at least six hours of sunlight per day; those that are planted under tall trees or next to buildings may require less light each day (but never less than four hours).
Does Lilac Prefer Full Sun?
The answer is no! Lilac doesn’t prefer full sun, but it does need it. Lilac needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to flower and grow properly. However, if you have a sheltered spot in your yard where lilacs don’t get much direct sunlight, they’ll still do okay.
Shade-tolerant lilacs will do just fine with 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Other varieties can tolerate up to 8 hours of sun if there are enough leaves for the plant’s photosynthesis process to function correctly.
Can Lilac Grow in Shade?
Lilacs can grow in shade. In fact, they’ll even thrive in partial shade. But you need to find a location that has some sun—even if it’s just a few hours per day—and keep the soil moist. Lilac doesn’t do well in hot temperatures and needs plenty of water to stay healthy.
If you have a shady yard, the best place for growing lilac would be on the north side of your home or garage where it won’t get direct sunlight but will still get enough light to provide your plant with energy throughout the seasons (especially since most lilacs bloom during spring).
Your yard should also be free from competing plants like trees or shrubs so that sunlight can reach all parts of your lilac bush easily during its first year after planting when it’s still growing its root system before blooming begins!
Where Does Lilac Grow Best?
The answer is that lilac will grow in almost any environment. The reason for this is that lilacs have a very wide range of adaptability. They can be grown in full sun, partial shade and even deep shade provided there is sufficient moisture.
For best growth and flowering, lilacs should be planted where they will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you want to plant your shrub beneath an oak tree or other large tree with evergreen foliage, this may not be possible unless the canopy breaks up enough to let some light through during the winter months when deciduous trees lose their leaves.
Can Lilac Get Too Much Sun?
Yes, lilac can get too much sun, but this is more likely to happen in a hot climate. In areas of the country where summers are extremely hot and sunny, lilacs may grow best if they have partial shade until they are mature enough to withstand full sun without suffering damage.
Lilacs may become leggy and produce few flowers if their branches stretch out toward the light source for too long; these branches may also become spindly and weak when over-exposed to direct sunlight. This is especially true of young plants that have not had time to develop strong root systems or thick bark around their trunks yet—these plants need protection from harsh conditions such as excessive heat or intense sunlight while they’re still developing so they can grow stronger over time.
Signs Your Lilac Isn’t Getting Enough Sun
Lilac doesn’t require a lot of sun, but it still needs a certain amount to thrive.
Here are some indicators to watch for if you’re worried that your lilac isn’t receiving enough sunlight:
- Your lilacs are wilting during the day or hanging their leaves, they may not be getting enough light.
- The lilacs’ leaves are pale green instead of dark green and glossy, this could also be an indication that they’re not getting enough sun.
- If lilacs are not exposed to enough direct sunshine, they could develop chlorosis, which results in yellowing leaves and brown spots on the edges of the leaves.
Conclusion
Lilacs can develop into stunning and fragrant plants with the right quantity of sunlight. Despite the fact that they need a lot of light, they can endure both partial shade and direct sunlight. The ideal location to grow lilacs is where they will receive six hours of daily direct sunlight without being completely submerged in it.
