On our website, on seed packets, and elsewhere, you may see the phrase "full sun to part shade."
What does this mean? Aren't these very different sun conditions? So why are they grouped together sometimes?
On the Plant to Plate site, we generally clarify what this means for the individual plant when it appears in our gardening facts articles. For example, the sun conditions section of the Growing Lettuce: Quick Facts article states the following:
Lettuce can grow in full sun to part shade. In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Leafy greens like lettuce are some of the most highly recommended vegetables for part-shade gardens. But since shaded lettuce takes longer to grow, it may also be more vulnerable to pests and diseases than lettuce grown in full sun.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and lettuces grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
You may see similar wording in other articles. Like lettuce, most plants that tolerate full sun to part shade grow fastest in full sun and are more resistant to pests and disease. They still grow in dappled and part shade but at a slower rate.
Also like lettuce, many plants with this range prefer full sun in areas with cooler temperatures and part shade in hot regions or seasons.
The range of full sun to part shade includes full sun, dappled shade, and part shade. For more information on each of these conditions individually, check out the following articles: