Will tomatoes grow in 4 hours of sun? | Tips for success

Tomato varieties such as cherry and ‘patio’ tomatoes can grow with 4 hours of sun if they get lots of bright light the rest of the day. Smaller tomato varieties are tolerant of low light conditions and will grow flowers and fruit even with small amounts of sun.

I have recently experimented with planting a cherry tomato in an area that only gets around 4 hours of sunlight over winter. The plant itself grew from seed and now in late winter is producing flowers. This space only gets a few hours of sunlight but is in a bright area.

I expect to get tomato fruit in the next month. The tomato plant is sheltered from frosts and we live in a sub-tropical climate, which gives tomatoes the best chance to grow in the winter months.

This is a cherry tomato which is a great variety to grow if you live in areas that are humid. Larger varieties such as ‘Beefsteak’ prefer long sunny days and warmer dryer weather so stick with small varieties if you want to grow tomatoes in shade.

How to successfully grow tomatoes in 4 hours of sun

To grow tomatoes successfully in 4 hours of direct sunlight there are a few tips here that will help you to succeed.

Choose an area that gets bright light

Choose an area that gets lots of bright light even it only gets 4 hours of direct sunlight. Areas can go from bright sun to deep shade which will make it more difficult to grow tomatoes successfully. Bright light is the key to keeping away pests and diseases away.

Tomato plants that stay moist throughout the day are more likely to grow mold so an area with bright light, even if it is not direct will help to dry out the plant and avoid moisture sitting in the soil for too long.

Choose an area with morning sunlight  

Areas that are only getting 4 hours of sunlight can be great if the sun is there in the morning. Morning sun is best for tomatoes as the afternoon sunlight can burn or damage the tomato, especially if it is used to being in shade.

For areas that have limited sunlight, choose morning sun over afternoon and tomatoes are going to be happier.

Water in the morning

Dampness and moisture on the roots and leaves of tomatoes can be a major problem if you are growing tomatoes I a shady area. Tomatoes that are only getting 4 hours of direct sunlight need to be cared for more deliberately and watered in the morning.

Watering in the morning and making sure the water is added to the base of the tomato plant and not the leaves will help to reduce disease and mold.

Mulching the soil with straw will also help to prevent dirt from splashing up on to the leaves and stems when you water which will also help to protect the plant.

Tomatoes like regular water but don’t overdo it if they are planted in shade. Shady areas will hold water in the soil for longer so check the moisture levels before adding more otherwise it can cause root rot.

Choose a small tomato variety

The most important factor for successfully growing tomatoes in 4 hours of direct sunlight is choosing a smaller variety. Cherry tomatoes will be more tolerant of shady conditions and the fruit develops quickly before excess moisture can become a problem.

My cherry tomato is successfully growing in a shady spot and is even flowering in late winter. If you live in a humid climate, choose cherry tomatoes which will form well and quickly. It is more difficult to grow larger tomatoes in humid areas that are shady so choose cherry for success.

Can tomatoes grow in partial sun?

Tomatoes can grow in partial sun, with some growing in as low as 4 hours of direct sunlight. The more sun the tomatoes get the more fruit they will produce. Sunlight helps the tomato to develop sugars in the fruit so those grow in more sun will be sweeter and a deeper red.

Tomatoes can be picked to finish ripening inside so once the tomato turns orange, you can pick it and allow the ripening to finish inside.

How long can tomato plants go without sun?

Tomato plants are sun loving but will survive cloudy days without sun. For those living in humid areas with summer storms, tomatoes will be exposed to a cycling of bright sunlight and dark clouds even on a daily basis. Cherry tomatoes are the best choice for these areas as they are more tolerant of longer shady periods.

What happens to tomatoes that are grow in 4 hours of sun

Tomatoes that are grown in 4 hours of sun will take longer to ripen, may produce less fruit and the plants can take longer to establish. Tomatoes can still grow flowers and fruit in 4 hours of sunlight but you can expect them to be less productive than those grow in 6 or more hours of sun.

For me, I only have a few areas of my garden that get a lot of sun so my tomatoes will grow in mostly shade. Cherry is the best choice and are still growing flowers and even in winter.

Help your shaded tomatoes along by planting bee attracting flowers nearby. African Daisies are a great choice as they grow easily, are drought tolerant and produce a large bunch of bright flowers at the same time that tomatoes are flowering.

Will tomatoes grow in 4 hours of sun? | Summary

Tomatoes will grow in 4 hours of sun if they have access to bright light throughout the rest of the day. Mulch them well and take care with watering so that they do not sit in wet soil for too long. Water in the morning and plant bee attracting flowers nearby to increase the tomato flower pollination rate.

Tomatoes can grow in shade but choose small varieties for the best chance of success.

Happy planting.