Do Strawberries Need Full Sun?

Strawberries need 8 hours of full sun each day. A minimum of 6 is required for them to grow properly, but giving them 8–10 hours of direct sunlight per day is the approach that will lead to the best results. Strawberries thrive in bright sunlight and enjoy warm temperatures and moist soil. Even more than 10 hours of full sun won’t usually harm this delicious fruit. Sun-scorch is only something to worry about if the region where you live typically experiences extremely hot temperatures. If this is the case, shading them a bit in the afternoon should prevent problems.

How Many Hours of Sun Do Strawberries Need?

Strawberries should have up to 10 hours of direct sunlight each day. The least amount they need to grow and thrive is 6 hours, but they should never be limited to only 6. The more sun the better for your strawberry plants.

• Strawberries need up to 10 hours a day of full sun.
• 6 hours of direct sun is the minimum requirement for strawberries.
• During heat waves of over 100℉ (38℃), give your strawberries some afternoon shade.
• Typically, the more sun strawberries get, the better the harvest will be.

Providing your plants with 10 hours of full sun each day is one of the best ways to make strawberry plants produce more fruit. When temperatures rise above 100℉ (38℃), consider shading your strawberries in the afternoon. However, in most cases, the more direct sun they get, the bigger and better the harvest.

Can Strawberries Grow in Indirect Sunlight?

Strawberries can grow in indirect sunlight, but your crop will be significantly smaller and the quality of the fruit will be much lower. If strawberry plants receive a minimum of 6 hours of full sun per day and spend the rest of their daylight hours in indirect sunlight, they should do fine.

• Strawberries can grow in indirect sunlight, but they will not perform well.
• Without direct sun, your plants will produce smaller strawberries with less flavor.
• Growing strawberries exclusively in indirect sunlight may result in an unsatisfactory harvest.

If you try to grow strawberries in indirect sunlight, you will most likely be unhappy with the results. The harvest may not be as bountiful, and the taste of the strawberries may be affected. So, always provide direct sun for strawberries, whether you are growing them in the ground or are growing strawberries in a raised bed.

Can Strawberries Grow in Shade?

Strawberries won’t grow well in shade. You may end up with an abundance of foliage, but the berries you probably bought the plants for in the first place will never appear. Sunlight is very important for strawberries, and it’s practically impossible to get any kind of a harvest when they are grown in the shade.

• Shade is not a friendly environment for strawberries.
• Afternoon shade won’t harm strawberries in hot climates.
• Overall, a poor harvest can be expected from strawberry plants grown in shade.

A little afternoon shade is not a bad idea if you live in an extremely hot climate or you are experiencing a heat wave. Otherwise, shade is definitely not a friendly environment for strawberries.

What Happens if Strawberries Don’t Get Enough Sun?

Strawberries that don’t get enough sun will be smaller, paler, and their flavor and fragrance will not be nearly as bold as would be the case if they get adequate sunlight. Depending on how much sun-deprived your plants are, you may not get any harvest at all.

• Strawberries deprived of sun will be smaller and less flavorful.
• There may be no harvest if they are not exposed to enough sun.
• Sun-deprived strawberries may be abnormally small.
• You can expect fewer berries if your strawberries are not given adequate sun.

Sun-deprived berries may end up being only half their normal size, and you will definitely get fewer berries overall. If your strawberries are growing a lot of foliage with very few berries, consider transplanting them to a sunnier location.

Can Strawberries Get Too Much Sun?

It is possible for strawberries to get too much sun. However, when this is the case, it is usually because they are planted in a climate that is very hot and gets less rain than other regions. So, provide extra water and a little shade when temperatures top 100℉ (38℃). 

• Strawberries can get too much sun.
• Overexposure to sun results in dying or unhealthy foliage.
• Strawberries exposed to too much sun may not be as juicy.
• Afternoon shade is recommended for strawberries that appear sun-scorched.
• Provide shade by covering sun-damaged strawberries with this row cover.

Strawberries that get too much sun will not have lush, healthy foliage. The berries themselves may or may not be affected, but the strawberry stems–which grow horizontally–may develop blisters or brown spots. If you see the signs, it’s best to offer your strawberries a bit of shade to prevent any possible negative effects. Berries that are constantly overexposed to hot temperatures and harsh, hot sun may be on the dry side and they may be a bit less flavorful.

How Much Sun Do Strawberries Require?

Strawberries are sun-loving plants that do best when given plenty of direct sunlight. To dial in the correct sun exposure for your strawberries, keep these guidelines in mind:

• Strawberries need 8–10 hours of full sun daily.
• 6 hours of daily sun can yield healthy strawberries, but you can expect a smaller berry crop with this limited sun exposure.
• A lack of direct sunlight (when berries are grown in indirect light or shade) results in fewer, smaller berries.
• When temperatures climb above 100℉ (38℃), strawberries can be harmed by excessive sun and heat.
• During heatwaves, you should shade your strawberries in the afternoon.
• Strawberries thrive in bright sun, moist soil, and warm temperatures.

All types of strawberries love the sun. Consider planting your berries in a sunny garden patch that receives direct light from morning until late afternoon. It’s easy to cover sun-scorched berries with a light row cover to let them bounce back. It’s very hard to encourage sun-deprived berries to produce a big harvest.