Sunburn & Leaf Scorch

How to identify it

• Bleached, faded, or brown dry patches on the side of leaves facing the light
• Affected areas are dry and papery, often with a yellow border
• Damage is on exposed leaves/sides, not scattered randomly

If left untreated

• Scorched tissue dies and stays brown — it does not recover
• Severe cases dry out whole leaves

What it could be confused with

Fungal Leaf Spot — Leaf spot is many small spots with rings that spread to other leaves; scorch is large bleached dry patches on sun-facing tissue that doesn't spread.

Underwatering Drought — Drought crisps whole leaf edges and tips across the plant; sunburn is localised to the most light-exposed areas.

Pest Damage — No insects, webbing, or sticky residue with scorch — it's purely light/heat damage.

What causes it

• Too much direct sun for a plant that prefers indirect light
• Sudden move from low light to strong sun without acclimating
• Magnified heat through glass, or water droplets focusing sunlight
• Hot, dry drafts from heaters intensifying the stress

Plants commonly affected

• Shade-loving foliage (calathea, maranta, ferns, peace lily)
• Plants recently moved from a nursery or low-light spot
• Variegated plants (less pigment, more prone to burning)

How to treat it

Do this first

• Move the plant out of direct sun to a brighter-but-indirect spot
• Don't cut healthy green parts of scorched leaves; only remove fully dead leaves

Cultural fixes

• Acclimate plants gradually when increasing light (a little more each day over 1-2 weeks)
• Use a sheer curtain to diffuse harsh window sun
• Avoid watering droplets sitting on leaves in strong light

In India

• Indian summer sun is intense — even "full sun" houseplants often need afternoon shade or a sheer screen

How to prevent it

• Match the plant to the right light level and acclimate to changes slowly
• Filter intense midday/afternoon sun with a sheer curtain
• Keep shade-loving plants out of direct sun

Will the plant recover?

Not a disease and not contagious. Scorched patches stay brown, but the plant is otherwise fine and new growth is normal once it's in the right light.

Frequently asked questions

Can houseplants get sunburned?

Yes. Too much direct sun, or a sudden move into strong light, scorches leaves — you'll see bleached or brown dry patches on the side facing the light. Move the plant to bright indirect light.

Should I cut off sunburned leaves?

Only remove fully dead leaves. If a leaf is mostly green with a scorched patch, leave it — it still feeds the plant. The brown areas won't turn green again but won't spread.

How do I stop my plant getting sunburned?

Increase light gradually over a week or two when moving a plant, diffuse harsh window sun with a sheer curtain, and keep shade-loving plants out of direct midday and afternoon sun.

Is leaf scorch contagious to my other plants?

No. Sunburn and scorch are light/heat damage, not a disease, so it won't spread between plants.

Sources

• Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) — Scorch and light damage
• University of Minnesota Extension — Light for indoor plants
• Missouri Botanical Garden — Leaf scorch