Understanding Sunlight & Space

Basics of Home Gardening

When you start gardening, the first question you should ask yourself is:
“Where should I keep my plants so they grow healthy?”

The answer depends mostly on sunlight and space. Plants are just like us — some enjoy sitting in the sun all day, while others prefer a little shade and cooler places. If you put the wrong plant in the wrong spot, it will either grow very weak or may even die. So before you buy seeds or pots, spend a little time observing your home or garden.

🌞 Sunlight: The Food of Plants

Plants make their food using sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. The more light they get, the more energy they produce. But remember, too much sun can burn delicate plants, and too little sun will make them weak and leggy.

Here’s a simple way to understand it:

Full Sun Plants (6–8 hours daily)

These are strong plants that need lots of energy. If you grow them in less sunlight, they won’t produce fruits or flowers properly.

Examples: Tomato, chili, brinjal, roses, hibiscus.

Best spot: Terrace, rooftops, or open backyard with direct sunlight.

Partial Shade Plants (3–5 hours daily)

These plants are less demanding. They can grow well with only morning or evening sunlight. Perfect for balconies and verandas.

Examples: Spinach, coriander, lettuce, marigold.

Best spot: East-facing balcony, where they get soft morning sun.

Shade Loving Plants (1–2 hours indirect light)

These plants do not like harsh sun at all. They thrive indoors near windows or in cool corners of the house.

Examples: Money plant, snake plant, ferns, peace lily.

Best spot: Living room corners, shaded verandas, windowsills.

👉 Quick Tip:

A general rule is – plants that give us leaves (like spinach, coriander) need less sun, while plants that give us fruits or flowers (like tomato, chili, hibiscus) need more sun.

🏡 How to Check Space in Your Home

Take one day and carefully watch your balcony, terrace, or backyard:

  • In the morning, check which areas get sunlight first.
  • In the afternoon, see where the sun is strongest.
  • In the evening, notice where shade comes.

By simply observing, you will know exactly which spot is best for your plants.

Small Space (balcony/window)

Use pots, hanging baskets, or vertical planters.

Medium Space (terrace/veranda)

Try raised beds or group of pots.

Large Space (backyard)

Make planting beds and add a mix of vegetables, flowers, and fruit trees.

🌿 Matching the Right Plant to the Right Place

Think of your plants like family members. Some love being outdoors all day, others like to sit by the window, and some want to stay inside. If you match them correctly, you’ll see fast growth and fewer problems.

For example:

  • A tomato plant will never give you fruits if kept in a shady room.
  • A money plant will burn and turn yellow if you keep it in direct afternoon sunlight.

So the secret is simple: Put the right plant in the right place.

✍️ Practical Exercise for You

Take a notebook and:

  • Draw a rough sketch of your balcony/terrace/backyard.
  • Mark which areas get full sun, partial sun, and shade.
  • List 2–3 plants for each spot. Example:

Full sun area:

Tomato, chili, marigold.

Partial sun area:

Spinach, coriander, lettuce.

Shade area:

Money plant, fern, snake plant.