Exposure to full, direct sunlight is a must for eggplants. You will get the best harvest if you plant your eggplants in an area of your garden where they can bask in full sun. Eggplants should have at least 6 hours of direct, full sun each day, but the more the better. 8 or more hours of sunshine on a daily basis is great for eggplants, but too little sun can lead to a host of problems. Ultimately, eggplants love direct sun and hot temperatures.
How Many Hours of Sun Do Eggplants Need?
Eggplants need a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, but don’t limit them to 6 hours if they are planted where they will receive more. There is no need to provide shade unless you are convinced that your eggplants are somehow getting too much sun exposure, but this is rare. Eggplants love direct sun and hot temperatures.
- Eggplants need at least 6 hours of full sun per day.
- Eggplants prefer hot temperatures and direct sunlight.
- You can allow eggplants to enjoy 8 or more hours of sun per day with no negative effects.
Eggplants are in the same family as tomatoes and peppers, so it’s not surprising that they enjoy warm weather, but eggplants like it even hotter than their cousins. For this reason, don’t be afraid to let your eggplants soak up the sun for 8 hours or more, even when temperatures are hot.
Can Eggplants Grow in Indirect Sunlight?
Eggplants can grow in indirect sunlight, but this is not their favorite environment. They prefer full sun and hot temperatures. They will not die if grown in indirect light, but the results will not be as favorable as they would be if they were provided their usual 6–8 hours of sunlight per day.
- Eggplants can be grown in indirect sunlight.
- Indirect sunlight is not the best environment for eggplants.
- The size and health of your eggplant will suffer if the plant only receives indirect light.
Eggplants grown in indirect sunlight may not grow as large or live as long as those grown in full sun. However, this depends on the amount of sunlight they receive. If they get some full sun and spend the rest of their time in indirect light, you may receive an adequate harvest. However, direct sunlight is much better for a large, healthy eggplant.
Can Eggplants Grow in Shade?
Shade is eggplant’s worst enemy because this fruit finds it very difficult to grow when full sun is blocked. In fact, eggplant seeds won’t even germinate if the soil is too cool due to shade. This is just another reason why it is a mistake to position eggplants in the shade.
- Eggplants cannot grow in shade.
- Partial shade is appropriate in some cases, but eggplants need at least some full sun.
- Eggplants deprived of direct sunlight often become vulnerable to insect infestation and pathogens.
Although partial shade will not necessarily have a bad effect on eggplants, full shade will ruin your crop. To avoid this, make sure you place your eggplants in an area of your garden that receives at least some direct sunlight throughout the day. Eggplants deprived of sun almost always become vulnerable to fungal infection, plant diseases, and insects as well.
What Happens if Eggplants Don’t Get Enough Sun?
Eggplants that are deprived of sun will grow noticeably smaller than plants that get enough direct sunlight. Shading an eggplant interferes with its leaf photosynthesis. In the absence of sun, the leaves will not achieve their bushy characteristics.
- Too little sun exposure results in smaller than normal eggplants.
- Shading eggplants interrupts essential photosynthesis and leaf growth.
- When eggplant leaves cannot grow bushy, sunlight does not filter into the fruit.
- If eggplants don’t get enough sun, a fruit harvest may not occur at all.
The reason why the leaves play an important role in the size of the eggplant is that light is absorbed through the leaves and fed directly to the fruit itself. Lack of sunlight inhibits the growth of the leaves. Then, the eggplant lacks the energy to create large fruit. In certain cases, there may not be a harvest at all.
Can Eggplants Get Too Much Sun?
Any plant can get too much sun, but this is uncommon with regard to eggplants. Signs to watch out for if you think your eggplants are overexposed to the sun include yellow spots on the fruit itself or on the leaves.
- It’s possible for eggplants to get too much sun.
- Yellow spots on the leaves or on the fruit itself can indicate overexposure to sunlight.
- A thin, filmy coating on the surface of the fruit may indicate too much sun exposure.
In extreme cases of overexposure to the sun, you may see a thin, white, tissue-like coating around the fruit itself. It typically takes a long drought or an extended period of time where temperatures are in the mid-90s Fahrenheit (over 34℃) for the sun to negatively affect eggplants. Eggplants thrive best in areas where conditions are consistently sunny and warm.
How Much Sun Do Eggplants Require?
Eggplants must have full sun. It is imperative for a healthy eggplant harvest to allow your plants direct sunlight on a daily basis. In order to grow ideal eggplants:
- Eggplants need a minimum of 6 hours of full sun each day.
- Provide 8 or more hours of direct sunlight daily for the healthiest eggplant.
- Eggplants do not grow well in shade or cooler temperatures.
- Too little sun can cause a variety of problems for eggplants, including lack of fruit production, disease, and insect infestation.
- Eggplants love hot temperatures and unobstructed sunlight.
At most, eggplants need very light shade in extreme heat and drought conditions. However, you don’t typically have to worry about providing shade for your eggplants. As long as you plant them in a south-facing bed where they can receive all-day sun, you’re on your way to growing an abundance of eggplants.
