Porch Gardening Guide: Light, Heat & Seasonal Tips

Jun 6

4 min read

Have you ever noticed how the light on your porch or patio shifts with the seasons? A cousin of mine, who is also a Facebook friend and follower, recently asked how to manage these changes—especially when her sunny summer porch turns shady in winter.

If you’re wondering how your plants will fare as the days grow hotter in the heat or with the shade and sun, this one’s for you!

Understanding Heat and Plant Stress

Let's first talk about heat. Heat in different locations and states have a very different feeling with light and heat. My experience is in North and Central Florida where it becomes so hot early in the day that full sun can be stressful on many plants.

Basil plant with woody stems showing heat stress damage

Here are some heat tips:

In hot climates (zone 8 and higher): Full sun can stress plants, especially when they are already stressed from the heat. We often add shade in the summer to extend the fruiting of the vegetables, therefore getting a much greater production.
Signs of stress: When plants get too hot, you will see hardening of some plants, like basil. Basil leaves can get tough and lose that tender texture we love. Other herbs, like lemon balm or pineapple sage, may turn reddish when they are stressed.
Best practice: Morning sun with afternoon shade is often ideal. If you can move your pots, move them into the shade around noon. Six hours of “full sun,” as indicated on seed packets, can be too much in hot regions. Consider planting or placing your plants where they will get shade in the afternoon or filtered shade.

Basil plant with green leaves and purple flowering spikes. — Woody, hardened basil

Sun, Shade, and Light Conditions

Let’s talk sun and shade in reference to light. I have lived in places where I had areas of trees where light moved through the yard as the sun moved overhead - filtered light, not all sun and not total shade.

Plants growing in bright indirect light under shaded outdoor area

There may not be direct sun, but unless it’s nighttime or a closed room with no light, there’s still plenty of light for the plants. Many plants love filtered light. For those with shifting sun patterns, select plants that are adaptable—think foliage plants or certain herbs.

Growing Vegetables vs Foliage Plants

If you want to grow vegetables (some people do grow patio veggies), sun is usually required for flowering, so grow them during the season when there is sun on the area of your patio.

If you want attractive foliage to give life to your area, keep in mind that colorful foliage is not always as vivid when the light is not as intense (just a heads up if you see that happening as the seasons change). There are flowers that can handle shade and cold weather and will bloom, so keep the season in mind when deciding what you want to plant.

Lighting Tips Summary

Here's a summary of lighting tips:

Vegetables: Most need sun to flower and fruit, so plan to grow them during the sunniest season on your porch. Foliage plants: Perfect for adding life to shady spots, though colors may be less vivid with less light. Flowers: Some varieties bloom beautifully in shade and cooler weather—great for winter interest!

Planning Your Planting Strategy

I could go on with many variables when trying to decide how to approach the situation and what to get.

Let me approach it this way:

I am a person who is partial to herbs and I like to have them around so I can use them when I need them.

Most flowers naturally start blooming in the spring and grow through the summer. I would put those plants out in spring so I would have flowers in those months.

Urban balcony garden with flowering plants pots.

Year-Round Garden Balance

Then, I would have foliage and herbs throughout the year when my summer flowers are spent. This is how it happens naturally.

Something else you need to consider, after flowering they go to seed. Deadheading (removing dead flowers, seed heads) helps extend your flowering, so remove any dead flowers you see regularly.

Get Local Porch Gardening Advice

Because all locations and conditions are different (my cousin lives in California) I highly recommend contacting your closest extension office, who are there to help you with your problems (no cost). They are not there to sell you product, only give you advice from information they have for your area.

Or find a “good” nursery and ask advice. They will have plants you can buy and help with issues that may arise.

Final Gardening Tips

To summarize all that has been said:

Plant flowers in the Spring: Then you will have beautiful blooms throughout the Spring and Summer. Deadhead flowers: Removing spent blooms helps extend flowering. Ask for local advice: Your county extension office is a fantastic (and free!) resource. Or find a reputable nursery—they know what thrives in your area.

Final Thoughts

Remember, you’ll have the best success growing plants that suit your specific location. Sometimes that means letting go of what you want to grow and embracing what wants to grow there.

I can be long winded and go on with all the variables, but I’m trying to keep these letters informative but not too lengthy. 😊

Stay Connected

Got a question about your porch garden, or struggling with light, shade, or temperature? Hit reply and let me know! I love hearing from fellow plant lovers and am always happy to help!

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With green thumbs and creative hands,