Due to their drought tolerance and water-storing properties, which enable them to tolerate high heat and very harsh sun exposure, succulents have become well-known. This is true for the majority of succulent plants, however some cannot survive direct sunlight without protection, and if exposed to excessive heat, they may suffer sun damage.  
The best 10 succulents and cacti that will thrive in full sun are listed below. Some of these plants can withstand full sun exposure better than others.
 
Succulents in full light are they ok?
Succulents enjoy direct sunlight, but if yours is always in the same position, only one side is probably receiving enough of it. Langton and Ray advise often rotating the plant. Rotating succulents will help them stand up straight because they like to slant toward the sun. (Leaning might also indicate that they need to move to a more sunny area.)
Do succulents prefer intense sunlight?
On the east side of my home, where my succulent collection is located, it receives direct sunlight from dawn till around 1:00 in the afternoon. There is a lot of sunlight here!
I’ve discovered that in order to keep the roots cold and the foliage lush, I need to water my plants every other day when the temperature is above 90.
The succulent leaves still get heated despite this constant watering, and I’ve had some, but rather severely. It can be unpleasant when the bright light and hot temperatures combine.
Most succulents will tolerate full sun for the majority of the day if you progressively expose them to it (raising an hour or so every few days).
To shield them from the direct sun, I recently put some shade fabric. Even though it’s still well above 90 degrees outside, the space around the succulents is significantly cooler thanks to the shade cloth.
Additionally, without direct sunlight, the plants’ leaves don’t get as hot and are less prone to burn or exhibit signs of excessive heat.
Haworthias, for example, prefer bright indirect sunlight all day long. On the other hand, the majority of cacti can withstand full sun during the day without any shade. This is why it’s crucial to be aware of the varieties of succulents you own.
The phenomenon known as “blushing,” which occurs when some succulents are exposed to bright sunshine, causes the leaves to occasionally turn a deep red, as with this Aloe ‘Crosby’s Prolific’.
Simply placing your succulents in a location that receives bright shade for the majority of the day is an excellent alternative. They should ideally be in a spot that receives a few hours of early sun but is otherwise shaded for the majority of the day.
Direct sunlight during this time can be an issue because afternoon temperatures are typically higher. On the other hand, morning sun is cooler and less prone to result in sunburn.
For many succulents, extreme heat can be exceedingly difficult. Succulents are often thought of as desert plants, however not all of them thrive in a very hot desert environment.
For more advice on how to keep succulents looking fantastic during a heat wave, see the video below:
What do succulents mean by full sun?
It is essential to gauge your garden’s exposure to the sun before you begin. For example, because the large surrounding trees will block the sun for the majority of the day, you cannot create a meadow in a forest clearing or power line easement.
The definitions of the numerous phrases related to sun exposure that you may read or find on plant labels have some fuzziness. “Full sun necessitates at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, but certain plants, including vegetables, require eight to 10 hours.
The plant requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight every day, whether it is in partial sun or partial shade. Sometimes, people will use both words interchangeably. Being sheltered in the morning is different from being shaded from the sweltering afternoon sun, though.
“Partially shaded usually means the plant requires more sun and can withstand more heat.”
The plant should be shielded from the afternoon sun, according to partial shade.
“Shade does not necessarily imply total darkness. More plants can survive in dappled shade than in extremely dark shade.
Regardless of the label, a plant’s tolerance for or requirement for sunlight depends on the amount of water it receives as well as the sun’s intensity.
You might be in for some shocks if you carefully map out how much sun each area of your garden receives. During the rest of the day, what appears scorching hot at midday may actually be dappled shade. When the shrubs need light to create the flowers for the following year, what is dappled sun in April may be full shade in July. Once the trees have begun to leaf out, develop a chart and record your observations every hour.
Can succulents withstand intense heat?
Don’t allow the hot, harsh sun hurt your succulents! Unlike frost (temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or lower), heat normally poses no threat to succulents. The majority of plants can tolerate temperatures higher than you’re comfortable with, as shown by greenhouse temperatures that rise into the triple digits on hot days, despite the fact that some don’t seem to thrive in temperatures above 80 or 90 degrees F. Succulents, though, can succumb to heat and sunlight. All smooth-leaved succulents, excluding desert cacti and agaves, require sun protection in the summer, especially when the temperature rises beyond 80 degrees.
If you live in an arid climate ~
- Identify the sun’s position relative to your property. In North America, plants growing on the north side of your house will receive the least solar exposure while those growing on the south will receive the most. My garden, which faces east, receives early sunlight and midday shade. West-facing gardens receive early shade and afternoon sun.
- When temperatures are at their highest in the middle of the day, “bright shade” (no direct sun but not deep shade) is great for non-desert succulents. For low-light succulents like haworthias, bright shade is needed. Visit our website’s Shade Succulents page to learn more. View my video about Shade Succulents.
Above: Although robust, the echeverias on the left in the brilliant shade have lost their color. The borders of those exposed to more sun are red, but they are smaller due to some stress.
- Keep track of where each new plant you purchase was situated in the nursery. Was it in the open or covered by a tarp? It will need to be “hardened off” (shaded, especially in the afternoon) until it acclimates, even if it is a “full sun” succulent like an agave. This kind of exposure is like tanning: Start with 30 minutes of sun, then gradually increase it by about an hour per day.
- Aloes and crassulas need at least a half-worth day’s of sun to turn red and orange, but not so much that the tips of the leaves shrivel or burn. (Read “How to Stress Succulents and Why You Should. “).
Above: Dryness and heat stress this jade (Crassula ovata). To maintain its life, the plant is gently draining its leaves. However, leaves will be plump and greener after irrigation or rain (which could take months).
- Cover exposed, horizontal stems of trailing succulents (aloes, senecios, othonna, and the like) with dry leaves or mulch to prevent burnt stems from impairing the ability of the plants to transfer moisture from roots to leaves.
- Use floating row covers (preferably), shade cloth, old sheets, or temporary shade structures to protect newly installed plants and in-ground succulents prone to sunburn. I employ rusty window screens. In an emergency, place upright leafy tree trimmings next to a plant you wish to preserve, on the side that receives the most sunlight. Or, in keeping with the sun’s movement throughout the day, use outside furniture.
Above: Aloe brevifolia, a stunning but stressed plant, has closed its rosettes and changed color from blue to pink.
- Learn how plants defend themselves. When the sun becomes unpleasant, succulents can’t flee to the shade, so some species create their own. Succulents with rosettes, such dudleyas, aeoniums, and some types of aloe, close their rosettes to save their critical cores. Lower leaves that become dry but don’t drop off serve a service by protecting flimsy stems from the sun in the summer and the cold in the winter.
- Where shade will be needed during the long, hot summer afternoons, plant trees and plants. (The Companion Plants chapter in Designing with Succulents, 2nd ed., has information on low-water cultivars suitable for succulent gardens.)
What sunburn looks like
The floppy leaves of this agave stretch (and weaken) the cells in those areas that are most exposed to sunlight.
Succulents with white, beige, or black patches have been sunburned, which causes irreparable cell damage comparable to frost. The plant is alright, but scars will endure just as long as the leaf.
These aeoniums generally have sunburn on the underside of their lowest leaves, which they will shed in a few months anyhow. Very effective, wouldn’t you say?
Several months later, the same aeoniums. Only a few scorched leaves are still visible.
It is preferable if the damaged parts are on the outer leaves because fresh growth from the rosette’s center will eventually cover up burnt spots. In any event, lower leaves naturally wither and fall off, damage or not. Recovery from a sunburn could take several months to a year, depending on the succulent and the time of year.
Related Info:
Summertime Succulent Watering. Okay, everyone is aware that succulents require little water. They aren’t “no-water plants,” though. Even though they might make it through the summer without irrigation… [Read more…]
A heat wave shouldn’t ruin your succulents. Succulents that are exposed to the scorching sun may burn when a heat wave follows cool weather. The beige or brown patches that develop as a result of sunburn cannot be removed. [Read more…]
Succulent Stress Management (and Why You Should). Some succulents exhibit beautiful reds and yellows when exposed to lots of sunlight, but how much “stress” the plants need depends on… [Read more…]
Can succulents burn in the sun?
Now that summer is in full swing, your succulent plant’s health is really in danger from sunburn.
Succulents, which are renowned for their love of sunlight and minimal water, can get sunburnt much like people do. As our skin’s natural defenses work to shield itself from the harmful UV solar rays, tanning takes time.
Your skin turns red as a result of your skin’s reaction to being overburdened. With succulents, the situation is much the same. If your succulents exhibit yellowish or brown discolouration, they have been sunburned.
How frequently ought one to water succulents?
During the months that are not winter, when the temperature is above 40 degrees, you should water your succulents every other week. You should only water your succulent once a month in the winter (when the temperature falls below 40 degrees), as it goes dormant at this period.
A few situations constitute an exception to this rule. Because their tiny leaves can’t hold as much water as other varieties with larger leaves, some varieties of succulents need to be watered more frequently. In the non-winter months, feel free to give these small leaf succulents a water if they appear to be thirsty. When they are thirsty, succulents generally exhibit a wrinkled appearance. But always keep in mind that being underwater is preferable to being overwater.
Which succulents thrive in intense heat?
Sedum, sometimes referred to as stonecrops, flourish in arid and warm climates. There are many different varieties of this succulent, which is one thing you should be aware of.
Sedums can range in height from low to towering. They also produce different-colored flowers, some of which are pink and others of which are white.
They undoubtedly share this trait with the majority of succulents in that they have thick, meaty leaves. However, they need more care, such as routine watering, particularly if they are still developing fully.
Do succulents require daily watering?
Only water succulents when the soil has totally dried up. There isn’t a standard watering schedule that applies to all succulents in all environments.
Many indoor succulent growers discover that watering their plants every 14 to 21 days keeps them healthy. Use this timeline as a guide and make adjustments if necessary.
The earliest symptoms of underwatering on the leaves are the greatest time to water your succulents. To see what that looks like, have a look at the cheat sheet above.
The best course of action is to wait for a signal from your succulent before watering because most succulents are particularly susceptible to rot with regular watering.
And keep in mind how crucial it is to monitor your watering routine. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve assumed that I haven’t watered in a while, just to discover that it was only a few days ago thanks to my notes in the Succulent Tracker app (Apple | Android).
In this video, learn about a several factors that could influence how frequently you water your succulents:
What succulent like direct sunlight?
Succulents are an excellent gardening option if you live in a location with lots of sunlight and want to add some greenery to your life without having to spend a lot of time caring for plants. The success of your garden hinges on choosing the appropriate succulents for the environment you are in, which is strongly lighted.
Succulents that can hold onto water for extended periods of time and do well in brighter, drier environments are the ideal full sun plants. Cotyledons, sedums, and agave are all excellent succulents that flourish well in full sun exposure if you’re considering of include these plants in your yard.
To get the most out of your garden, you must pair the proper succulents with each other and understand why some succulents fail to grow. The seven succulents that grow best in full sun conditions, planting considerations for each, typical mistakes that cause succulent failure, and advantages of succulents are covered in the next sections of this article.
Can full-sun plants receive too much sunlight?
Although sunshine is something that plants are meant to enjoy, too much of it can instead produce lethal free radicals. Researchers have now discovered a defense mechanism that plants employ. The finding might help in the creation of genetically modified plants that can adjust to various lighting situations.
With the aid of the photon-capturing molecules chlorophyll and carotenoid, plants are able to obtain energy from the sun. However, if the plants are exposed to excessive sunlight, these molecules will absorb more energy than they can process and will produce reactive oxygen species that would kill the plant. For more than 20 years, scientists have known that plants had a defense against this harm, but the precise mechanism has remained a mystery.
According to study that was just published in Science, it turns out that plants use a special safety valve. Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California, followed the path of absorbed solar energy in spinach leaves and Arabadopsis using instruments that could record chemical reactions lasting one millionth of a billionth of a second. The creation of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid, is brought on by too much sunlight, according to the study’s findings. Chlorophyll receives an electron transfer from the molecule, which prevents it from producing reactive oxygen. Then, in a reaction that releases extra energy as heat, the positively charged zeaxanthin joins forces with the negatively charged chlorophyll.
The zeaxanthin defensive mechanism is so sensitive, according to team member Graham Fleming, a scientist connected to both Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, that it even turns itself off when clouds pass overhead.
According to Gary Brudvig of Yale University’s Department of Biophysical Chemistry, the new publication is a significant study that provides the first concrete evidence of the defense mechanism used by plants. The research, says Robert Blankenship, a biochemist at Arizona State University, may help with the creation of artificial photosynthesis systems for effectively using solar energy, as well as high-yielding genetically engineered crops that can be adjusted to various lighting conditions.