Know Exactly Where the Sun Shines in Your Garden

Map sunlight and shade patterns across your garden with 3D precision. Plan what to plant where, based on real sun exposure data.

No download requiredFree to start18 languages supported
Photo by Ola Noland on Unsplash

Without SunTrace3D

Guessing about sun exposure

"Full sun" or "partial shade" labels don't tell you how many hours of direct sunlight each area actually gets.

Shadows change with seasons

An area sunny in summer might be fully shaded in spring when you're planting. You need year-round data.

Buildings and trees block light

Nearby buildings and trees cast shadows that are hard to predict without seeing the 3D geometry.

With SunTrace3D

Precise sunlight heatmap

Color-coded overlay shows exactly how many hours of direct sunlight each zone gets, accounting for all surrounding structures.

Year-round shadow tracking

Simulate shadows for any day of the year. See how shade patterns change from spring planting through fall harvest.

Plant-matched zones

Use the garden planner to design beds and select plants matched to each zone's actual sunlight conditions.

Sunlight Heatmap

Sunlight Heatmap

Overlay a color-coded heatmap showing annual sun exposure across your entire site. Instantly identify the sunniest and shadiest zones.

Garden Bed Planner

Garden Bed Planner

Design garden beds and choose from a database of plants suited to your sunlight conditions. Plan where to place sun-loving or shade-tolerant species.

Sun Path Visualization

Sun Path Visualization

View the sun's arc across the sky for any date. See exactly when and where direct sunlight reaches different parts of your site throughout the year.

Scene Objects

Scene Objects

Add trees, fences, pergolas, greenhouses, and other objects to the scene. See how each element affects sunlight and shadows on surrounding areas.

3D Measurement Tool

3D Measurement Tool

Measure distances between buildings, trees, and property boundaries in full 3D. Essential for setback calculations and shadow impact assessments.

Real-Time Shadow Simulation

Real-Time Shadow Simulation

Scrub through any hour of any day to see exactly where shadows fall on your property. Watch how sunlight changes from sunrise to sunset across all four seasons.

How It Works

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1

Load Your Garden in 3D

Enter your address and see your property with all surrounding buildings and trees in photorealistic 3D.

2

Map Sunlight & Shade Zones

Enable the sunlight heatmap to see color-coded sun exposure across your entire garden area.

3

Plan Your Garden Beds

Use the garden planner to design beds and choose plants suited to each zone's sunlight conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it account for shadows from my house and neighbors?

Yes. The 3D models include all surrounding buildings and structures. Shadow simulation is based on real geometry, not estimates.

Can I see shade patterns for different seasons?

Yes. Use the date picker to simulate any day of the year. See how shadow patterns change from winter solstice to summer solstice and everything in between.

What plants are in the database?

The garden planner includes flowers, shrubs, and vegetables with sunlight requirements (full sun, partial shade, full shade) so you can match plants to zones.

Can I add trees and structures to see their shadow impact?

Yes. Add trees, fences, pergolas, greenhouses, and other objects. Each casts accurate shadows so you can plan your layout around them.

Is this free for home gardeners?

Yes. The sunlight heatmap, shadow simulation, and garden planner are all available in the free tier. No signup required.

Ready to map your garden's sunlight?

Start free — no credit card needed