Sun & shade tolerance chart
How much sun (or shade) each lawn alternative actually needs — the single biggest factor in whether it survives.
Light first, everything else second
Matching a plant to the light it gets is the number-one predictor of success. A full-sun lover like creeping thyme will sulk and thin in shade; a shade specialist like sedge scorches in blazing sun. Read your spot first — hours of direct sun, and whether light is dappled or deep — then pick from the chart below.
Verified light tolerance
| Species | Full sun | Part shade | Full shade | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White clover | – | Best in sun; takes part shade | ||
| Microclover | – | Best in sun; takes part shade | ||
| Fine fescue | ◐ | Best shade tolerance of any cool-season turf | ||
| Creeping thyme | – | – | Full sun only (6+ hrs); fails in shade | |
| Chamomile | – | Prefers sun | ||
| Yarrow | ◐ | – | Full-sun plant | |
| Buffalograss | – | – | Full-sun native | |
| Dichondra | – | Sun to part shade (warm climates) | ||
| Irish/Scotch moss | ◐ | – | Part shade; sun only with midday shade | |
| Sedge (Carex) | – | Dry-shade specialist |
thrives ◐ tolerates / with caveats – not suitable
Shop the ones we sell
What the categories mean
Full sun. 6+ hours of direct sun. Thyme, buffalograss, yarrow and clover are happiest here.
Part shade. Dappled light or a few hours of sun. Fine fescue, clover, dichondra and Sagina cope well.
Full shade. Little to no direct sun. Sedge is the lawn-like answer; for the darkest, dampest corners, moss takes over.
More reference
Sources
- NC State Extension — selecting and managing lawn grasses for shade — the light thresholds behind these categories
- Penn State Extension — growing turf under shaded conditions — why hours of direct sun, not brightness, decides
- Clemson HGIC — growing grass in shade — species limits in deep shade