QUESTION: Can herbs get too much sun? My parsley looks like it is burning up. – Rita F
ANSWER: Any plant can get too much sunlight, and herbs are no exception. When it comes to sunlight needs, not all herbs are created equal—some prefer more sun than others. For example, basil and thyme like a decent amount of full sun, while parsley and chives don’t like nearly as much sunlight. For best growing results, find out the preferences of the exact herb plants you plan to grow, and plant them in spots that get the right amount of sunlight for them.
You can tell a plant has been getting too much sunlight if the leaves are scorched or dried out with sunscald, which is basically a plant’s version of sunburn. Sunscald can look like a fluid-filled blister at first, eventually drying out and turning brown or developing a grayish-white margin around the blister. Too much sun can also result in loss of leaves or, when it’s severe, withered or cracked stems.
Plants that have been kept indoors and are being moved outdoors need a gradual transition to prevent sunscald just from the shock of the sudden change. If this is your situation, you can read about how to make the transition easier and keep plants healthy in by searching for articles about how to harden off plants.
