28/10/2026
Many gardeners say sun-loving flowers need full sun all day to open. Is this a myth or a fact?
As it turns out, it's a myth. While Gazania, Portulaca, and Mesembryanthemum are famous for opening their blooms in the sun, they do not require relentless, all-day sunshine.
Four to six hours of direct light is plenty to trigger their petals to open fully, making them much more flexible around your garden than most people think.
How these three heat-hardy varieties perform:
• Gazania: A South African native that unfurls its vibrant blooms as soon as direct morning light hits the petals.
• Portulaca: Features fleshy, drought-tolerant foliage that holds up effortlessly in sun-baked pots, rockeries, and shallow soil.
• Mesembryanthemum: Low-growing vygies that form dense, colourful ground cover across sunny borders and edgings.
Sow these seeds in well-draining soil and position them where they catch strong morning or afternoon sunshine for the best show.
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Browse our sun-loving seed collection on GroPak today: https://www.gropak.co.za