How much sunlight do companion herbs need?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Matching sunlight preferences is key to maximizing your companion planting success and having stronger plants. Just like humans, herbs have particular needs related to light, which can vary from direct sunlight to partial shade. Therefore, pairing herbs with the same light needs will help you avoid stressing your herbs or keeping them away from their natural growth. I tend to plan my garden beds based on where the sun will be each day, ensuring I know where to plant each herb. When the light is aligned properly, your herbs will flourish!
Full-sun herbs require direct sunlight for optimal growth. Some Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. Please place them in spots where they won't be shaded by south-facing orientation. For more even exposure to the sun, I move my pots every week. Sun-loving herbs will produce higher-quality essential oils and more flavorful extracts.
Vertical Arrangement
- Place tall sun-lovers behind shade-tolerants
- Use trellises for vining companions
- Stagger heights for layered light capture
Reflective Solutions
- Install white stones to bounce light
- Use aluminum foil around containers
- Paint fences/sheds in light colors
Seasonal Adjustments
- Shift containers as sun angles change
- Prune overhead branches in spring
- Use shade cloth during heat waves
Herbs that require partial shade like filtered light. Mint and lemon balm thrive in 3-6 hours of sunlight. Please place them in areas where the taller plants or structures will provide afternoon shade. My mint grows in the dappled shade of my fruit trees. The shade lovers avoid leaf scorch.
Microclimate creation assists mixed pairings. Create reflective surfaces to increase the amount of light shade-tolerant plants receive when planted near shade-loving plants. White-painted walls, for instance, or stone mulch will reflect light into the patch. I surround parsley with light-colored stones for this reason. Your garden-grown herbs will receive enough light even in lower-light areas with ample sunlight.
Observe the seasonal changes that will affect the light. The summer sun is more intense than the sun in winter. Move plants every 4-6 weeks to see if they are happy in their new position. I track the sun's position with a simple app called Sun Calculator. Your herbs will grow consistently if you keep them in the same pot throughout the year.
Read the full article: 16 Herb Companion Planting Pairs Revealed
