· The terms partial (or part) sun and partial (or part) shade are often used interchangeably to mean four to six hours of sun exposure each day, preferably in the cooler hours of the morning. View allAug 18, 2025 · If it isn't full sun or shade, then partial sun is the catchall. Typically described as an area that receives 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, partial sun (sometimes referred to as partialshade) is what many areas of a yard often fall into. · What Does Part Shade Mean? Part Shade or Partial shade refers to a garden that receives 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, but most of those hours (4 or more) should come in the morning hours when the sun’s rays are less intense. When partshade to shade is listed for a plant, that means it prefers to grow in less than six hours of direct sunlight per day with most of that being the less intense morning sun. · Partial shade refers to areas of your yard that get 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, usually during the cooler morning or late afternoon hours. These areas don’t get the harsh midday sun and are perfect for plants that can’t take the heat. · Partialshade is defined as two to four hours of sun per day, and it's more common than many gardeners realize — especially in spaces filtered by tree canopies, fences, or neighboring buildings. · If it isn't full sun or shade, then partial sun is the catchall. Typically described as an area that receives 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, partial sun (sometimes referred to as partialshade) is what many areas of a yard often fall into. · What Does Part Shade Mean? Part Shade or Partial shade refers to a garden that receives 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, but most of those hours (4 or more) should come in the morning hours when the sun’s rays are less intense. When partshade to shade is listed for a plant, that means it prefers to grow in less than six hours of direct sunlight per day with most of that being the less intense morning sun. · Partial shade refers to areas of your yard that get 4 to 6 hours of direct sun per day, usually during the cooler morning or late afternoon hours. These areas don’t get the harsh midday sun and are perfect for plants that can’t take the heat. · Partialshade is defined as two to four hours of sun per day, and it's more common than many gardeners realize — especially in spaces filtered by tree canopies, fences, or neighboring buildings.