On Monday 8th April, a total solar eclipse will pass over the US and turn the sky to darkness as the
moon crosses between the Sun and Earth. While the darkness of the eclipse will only last for a few minutes, experts say gardeners may notice that their plants respond in different ways. If you choose to or want to , you might take inspiration from how your plants respond to the darkness on Monday. However, experts note it shouldn't cause too much concern for plant health. 'The eclipse will only last for a couple of hours and the totality will only last for a few minutes,' says astronomer and professor at the University of Nevada. 'It will not be much different, as far as the plants are concerned, than the Sun going behind some clouds for a while,' he adds. Nevertheless, there are a few observations gardeners may make during the as their plants respond to the total solar eclipse. We explore. The sky will become dark as the Sun is hidden behind the moon during the eclipse, so gardeners can expect to see flowers that usually respond to sunlight close up. 'During a solar eclipse, certain plants, such as and morning glories, may respond by closing their flowers, simulating dusk,' says , plant expert from Perfect Plants Nursery. 'Other plants may not have such a dramatic response and may only exhibit changes such as drooping leaves,' she adds. It's also likely that plants that respond to darkness, like , will open up as the darkness comes over, including moon flower and star jasmine. Decor Ideas. Project Inspiration. Expert Advice. Delivered to your inbox. Autumn is a horticulture specialist and marketing professional at Perfect Plants Nursery. With four years of experience in the horticulture industry, she has developed a passion for helping people create beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy. Her expertise in horticulture encompasses a broad range of activities, including plant care and selection, landscape design, and maintenance. Experts further reassure that the short period of the darkness means there won't be lasting impacts on plants from a lack of light exposure. 'The decrease in sunlight can disrupt the process of photosynthesis, which plants rely on for growth and development. However, because the eclipse is so short it doesn't impact the plants too much,' says Autumn. 'The specific effects can vary based on factors such as the duration of the eclipse, plant species and stage of growth,' she adds. Jason also notes that some plants won't be exposed to the period of darkness on Monday. 'Since the totality is only happening along a narrow strip in the eastern
USA, the majority of people (and plants) won't see much change at all,' he says. Since 20028, Dr. Jason Steffen has been a member of the science team for NASA's Kepler mission. He has a bachelor of science degree in Physics and Mathematics from Weber State University and a master's and doctoral degree in physics from the University of
Washington, Seattle. He is an Assistant Professor of Physics at the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas and an author on over 60 publications. When a solar eclipse happens, sunlight is hidden as the Moon crosses between the Sun and the Earth. As a result, plants may soak up less water as temperatures can be expected to be cooler. There won't be lasting impacts on the functioning of plants, however, and you don't need to necessarily alter your plant care. Although, you should keep in mind that plants will respond to the eclipse as if it were night and will resultingly take up less moisture in the day than usual. The upcoming total solar eclipse will bring dark skies across the US. Experts reassure that there won't be lasting impacts on plants, but gardeners may see some brief changes as their plants respond to the darkness. While you don't need to alter your plant care during the eclipse, make sure to still keep on top of your to keep your garden thriving this season.