Brussel sprouts require at least 6 hours of sun per day, but more is better. 8 hours of full sun is ideal, as long as the plants are not being grown in a very hot climate. Brussel sprouts prefer cool weather, even though they require full sun to grow to maturity. If the weather is particularly hot, offer a bit of afternoon shade and allow them to get their 6 hours of sun in the earliest part of the day.
How Many Hours of Sun Do Brussel Sprouts Need?
Brussel sprouts should have a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, if you live in a temperate climate, don’t be afraid to give them a full 8 hours of sun on a daily basis. Just make sure the soil where your sprouts are growing does not dry out.
- Brussel sprouts need 6 hours of full sun on a daily basis.
- 8 hours of direct sunlight is ideal unless temperatures are very hot.
- If the sun makes the soil too dry, offer your brussel sprouts some afternoon shade with this row cover.
Brussel sprouts prefer consistently moist soil that is rich in organic matter. If you live where harsh afternoon sun is commonplace, there is a risk of the soil becoming too dry. To prevent parched soil, give your brussel sprouts some afternoon shade.
- Winter protection for your plants and crops.
- Lightweight and breathable material.
- Can also be used to encourage rapid seedling growth.
Can Brussel Sprouts Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Brussels sprouts can grow in indirect sunlight. Typically, there will be little difference in their size when compared to brussel sprouts grown in full sun. However, the best results occur when they are grown in direct light, but allowed to experience some cooler weather before they are harvested.
- Brussel sprouts can grow in indirect sunlight.
- Best results come from crops that are grown in full sun.
- Cool weather is good for your harvest, even though brussel sprouts prefer full sun.
Your brussel sprouts will have a less distinct taste when grown in indirect sunlight. Usually, if you provide at least 4 hours of full sun per day for your brussel sprouts, the taste of your crop will be much better. So, while you can grow sprouts in indirect light, they’ll taste better if the plants receive at least some direct sunlight each day.
Can Brussel Sprouts Grow in Shade?
Brussel sprouts can grow in shade for a while, but without bright sunlight, they will never mature. Because brussel sprouts prefer cooler climates, it may seem like a good idea to plant them in the shade. However, they are slow-growing vegetables because they need time to mature.
- Brussel sprouts can grow for a while in shade.
- Full sun is needed for brussel sprouts to mature.
- Brussel sprouts grow faster in the shade, but fast-growing crops will not reach full maturity.
If you plant them in the shade, you will notice that your brussel sprouts grow very quickly. This may create the illusion that shade is good for them. However, in the case of brussel sprouts, fast growth is not a good thing. Your plants will sprout faster in the shade, but they will not reach full maturity. This is why it’s best to avoid planting your brussels sprouts in full shade.
What Happens if Brussel Sprouts Don’t Get Enough Sun?
Brussel sprouts that are kept from the sun may develop yellow patches on their leaves and will eventually wilt and die. Other times, there are no obvious signs that they are being deprived of sun, but if they do not get enough direct sunlight, they will not grow to their fullest potential.
- Yellow patches and wilting typically occur if brussel sprouts don’t get enough sun.
- Brussels sprouts may eventually die if they are sun-deprived.
- Without 6 hours of full sun per day, you may end up with an inferior crop.
Because brussel sprouts are slow-growing plants, the effects of too little sunlight may not be immediately noticeable. However, when harvest time comes, you may discover that you have an inferior crop. It is best to provide at least 6 hours of full sun per day to avoid these problems.
Can Brussel Sprouts Get Too Much Sun?
If brussel sprouts receive too much sun, they will not sprout. The plant may grow, but never develop the small heads that make up the edible part of the vegetable, thus defeating the purpose of growing them to begin with.
- Brussel sprouts can get too much sun.
- The plants may grow under excessive sun, but probably won’t sprout.
- When in doubt, limit sun exposure to 6 hours.
Balancing sun and shade for brussel sprouts takes a little work. Too much of either sun or shade can cause major problems, and it is easy to make a mistake in either direction. When in doubt, limit exposure to 6 hours per day for your brussel sprouts. At the same time, avoid placing them in full shade for long periods of time.
How Much Sun Do Brussel Sprouts Require?
Brussel sprouts are vegetables that require full sun and soil that is rich in organic matter. For best results from your sprouts:
- Give your brussel sprouts 6–8 hours of full sun daily.
- Provide afternoon shade if temperatures are especially hot.
- Brussel sprouts must have full sun to grow to maturity.
- Your sprouts will have poor flavor if they are grown in shade or indirect sunlight.
- Brussel sprouts that receive too much sun may never mature and produce an edible harvest.
- For a large, flavorful harvest, provide a balance of morning sun with afternoon shade.
Because brussel sprouts adore sunlight and cool temperatures, it’s best to plant them in east-facing locations. This way, they will soak up the morning sun. Then, if they are shielded from direct sunlight in the late afternoon, they will thrive.
