Beets need 4 to 5 hours of full sun each day. This cool-season vegetable tolerates shade well, but still requires 4 hours of direct sunlight daily. The best approach is to give your plants sun in the morning and shade or dappled sunlight in the afternoon when temperatures are hot. In temperate climates, however, your beet plants can be exposed to a full day of sun with no negative effects.
How Many Hours of Sun Do Beets Need?
Beets should have at least 4 hours of full sun each day, but up to 6 is typically not overdoing it. If you live where temperatures are not usually extreme, give your beets a full day of sun. Providing more sun is a good idea as long as your beet leaves are not getting burned.
- Beets should have at least 4 hours of sun daily.
- Afternoon shade and morning sunlight are a good combo.
- 6 hours of direct sun daily is not too much in temperate climates.
A combination of direct sunlight in the morning and dappled sunlight or shade in the afternoon usually works out well, particularly in hot climates. Ultimately, 4 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis is enough for beets to grow and thrive to their fullest potential.
Can Beets Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Beets can grow in indirect sunlight, and often do surprisingly well in part shade, unlike many vegetables. However, there is no guarantee that you will get the best possible crop if they do not receive full sun. If you primarily want to use the greens of the plant for salads or similar fare, then indirect sunlight may be adequate, since it will not affect the taste of the foliage.
- Beets can grow in indirect sunlight.
- If beets don’t receive full sun, you may not get a good crop.
- Beet foliage will taste good and grow adequately in indirect sunlight.
- The root of the plant will not be as tasty if no full sun is provided.
If you are primarily growing your beets for the purpose of eating the actual root, it’s best to avoid full shade. Plant your beets or raised beds in areas that get a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight every day. This is because lack of direct sunlight can negatively affect the taste of the root.
Can Beets Grow in Shade?
Beets can grow in the shade and the plants will not typically die. However, even though beets are shade tolerant, it’s not recommended that you grow them in full shade. One of the main reasons is that they typically grow very slowly if no sunlight reaches them, and generally speaking, you’ll have a poorer crop. The roots of the plant may also become malformed in the shade.
- Beets grow very slowly in the absence of sunlight.
- Beets grown in shade will be smaller and feature leggy leaves and less flavorful roots.
- Overall, beets grown in full shade yield a poor crop.
- Beet roots may become malformed if no sun is provided.
When you do finally harvest them, you may find the plants are abnormally small, and that some have not reached maturity. Additionally, if you enjoy eating the foliage, as well as the roots, you may notice it is sparse. Beets grown in the shade will lack the full, lush foliage you see on beet plants that are grown in full sun.
What Happens if Beets Don’t Get Enough Sun?
The first thing you might notice if your beets are not getting enough sun is stunted growth. This is because sunlight plays an integral role in how big and how fast your beet plants grow. The rate at which growth slows typically depends on exactly how much sun they’ve been deprived of. When only a little sun is provided, the leaves may be leggy and not as lush. The foliage may also be abnormally pale.
- Beets deprived of sun will experience stunted growth
- Growth will slow in direct relation to the level of sun deprivation.
- Leaves may get leggy and will not grow as full.
- Foliage may be abnormally pale.
- The root may not be as flavorful.
- Beets may wilt if they are deprived of the sun.
Although this will not affect their taste, the taste of the actual root may be less flavorful. The plants may also grow in odd directions in an effort to find light. In some cases, the plants will wilt if they don’t receive enough sun, but slowed growth is the biggest sign that your beets are not getting enough light.
Can Beets Get Too Much Sun?
Beets can get too much sun, especially if temperatures are very warm. Signs of too much sun include browning or curling of the foliage, and wilting or drooping.
- Beets can get too much sun.
- Browning or curling of the foliage are signs of overexposure to the sun.
- Wilting and drooping can be a sign of too much sun.
- If you live in a hot climate, offer your beets some afternoon shade and enough water.
In temperate climates, it’s difficult for beets to get too much direct sunlight, as they usually thrive in full sun. However, if you are in a hot climate or experiencing a heat wave, make sure to give your beets afternoon shade.
How Much Sun Do Beets Require?
Beets are a cool-season vegetable that tolerate shade well, but they do need a minimum of 4 hours of sun. Follow these rules to give your beets ample sun exposure:
- Beets need 4–5 hours of full sun every day.
- Up to a full day of sun is appropriate in temperate climates.
- Give your beets full sun in the morning in case they need afternoon shade.
- Don’t limit their sun exposure unless you live in a very hot climate.
It’s a good idea to give your beets morning sun and provide dappled sunlight or shade in the afternoon. However, a full day of sun can be good for beets too. Only limit their sun if you live where temperatures are very hot. These simple rules will help you grow a delicious crop of beet roots and beet greens.
