Does Wisteria Need Full Sun?

Wisteria needs full sun, and should get at least 6 hours of direct light every day. It’s okay to shelter your wisteria from the harsh, afternoon sun, provided it gets the recommended 6 hours of direct light each day. Japanese wisteria, however, should be given an entire day of full sun, as this variety does not even tolerate part shade very well. More common varieties, such as American wisteria and Chinese wisteria do fine with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight.

How Many Hours of Sun Does Wisteria Need?

Wisteria needs 6 hours of full sun each day, but up to 8 hours is not too much in most cases. If the afternoon sun is particularly harsh, or you are experiencing a heat wave, wisteria needs some protection from the sun.

• Wisteria needs at least 6 hours of full sun each day.
• In most cases, 8 hours is not overdoing it.
• Wisteria should be protected from the sun during heat waves.
• The combination of warmth and direct sunlight is the key to healthy wisteria flowers.

Usually, a full day of sun is not harmful to your wisteria vines. In fact, the combination of warmth and sun is the key to terrific blooms.

Can Wisteria Grow in Indirect Sunlight?

Wisteria can grow in indirect sunlight. However, you will get much fewer blooms from vines grown in indirect sunlight than you will from wisteria grown in full sun. Wisteria plants are a sun-loving botanical. Although they will grow in indirect light, they will not live up to their fullest potential.

• Wisteria can grow in indirect sunlight.
• You can expect significantly fewer blooms from wisteria that does not get full sun.
• Wisteria will not be as healthy if it is grown only in indirect light.

Even a few hours of full sun a day is better than nothing. So, avoid planting your wisteria in an area that receives only indirect sunlight. Even 4 hours of full sun per day can make a big difference when compared to indirect sunlight only.

Can Wisteria Grow in Shade?

Wisteria does not grow well in shade. In most cases, flowers will fail to bloom if no direct sun, or not enough direct sun, is provided. In deep shade, you should not expect any flowering at all. For this reason, it is always best to plant wisteria in full sun to ensure that your hard work is not in vain.

• Wisteria may not die in the shade, but it will not grow well.
• Your wisteria is unlikely to flower if it is grown in the shade.
• Wisteria may grow wild if left in shade.
• A combination of shade and cool temperatures can kill your wisteria.

Wisteria also has a tendency to grow wild when left in shade and will climb up virtually any surface in an attempt to find sun. Additionally, wisteria is not partial to the cold, so if it is planted in shade, it may begin to fail at the end of the season when temperatures begin to drop.

What Happens if Wisteria Doesn’t Get Enough Sun?

Wisteria that doesn’t get enough sun will not always die. In fact, you may find yourself with an abundance of leaves, but not very many flowers. An overgrowth of foliage with a lack of flowers is a sign that your wisteria isn’t receiving enough sunlight.

• Sun-deprived wisteria may not die, but you will get fewer flowers.
• Wisteria vines may become weak if not exposed to enough direct light.
• You may get an overabundance of foliage, but no blooms.

When it isn’t receiving enough light, your wisteria may weaken because the vine needs exposure to direct sun. This unhealthy state makes your wisteria more vulnerable to plant diseases, fungal infections, and pest insects. So, providing full sun is key to a healthy, low-maintenance wisteria.

Can Wisteria Get Too Much Sun?

It’s possible for wisteria to get too much sun. Even though cold and shade are far more harmful to wisteria than harsh sunlight, it is still possible for it to develop sun scorch or leaf scorch. If this happens, it typically occurs in late summer, when temperatures are hot and droughts may occur.

• Wisteria can get too much sun.
• Sun scorch or leaf scorch may occur if wisteria is over-exposed to the sun.
• Sun scorch is more common during droughts and when temperatures are high.
• Brown spots and falling flowers can be signs of sun scorch.
• Wisteria can be revived from sun scorch with extra water and a bit of shade.

Leaf scorch is the first sign that your wisteria has gotten too much heat and sun. If the leaves of your wisteria have dark brown spots, the plant likely has sun scorch. The flowers may also turn brown, and blooms may fall off prematurely. These negative effects happen quickly during extremely hot temperatures that are accompanied by a drought. Fortunately, wisteria can revive itself quickly from sun scorch if it is given a bit of shade and a little extra water.

How Much Sun Does Wisteria Require?

Wisteria requires full sun. However, some shade is good during the hottest part of the day. In most cases, though, wisteria can be given day-long direct light with no problems. 

• Wisteria vines should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Daylong sun is usually not harmful to wisteria.
• American and Chinese wisteria can handle some shade.
• Japanese wisteria is not shade tolerant.
• Few blooms and overgrown foliage are signs that your wisteria needs more sun.
• Transplant undersunned wisterias to revive them.
• Brown spots on leaves and flower petals signal that your wisteria has been scorched by too much sun.
• Provide afternoon shade and additional water to sun-scorched wisteria.

You will grow healthy wisteria by following the rules above. However, some varieties of wisteria are slightly unique. Japanese wisteria should not be given shade unless it becomes sun-scorched. Chinese and American wisteria handle shade as long as they have at least 6 hours of full sun on a daily basis. Choose your planting location based on the wisteria variety you wish to grow.