Is Your Plant Getting Too Much Sunlight

You’ve done everything right. You spent hours researching the perfect plant for your space, you bought it and took good care of it when it arrived, and now you keep checking on your little green friend every day to make sure he is doing well. Like most people, you probably think that the more sunlight the plant gets, the better it will grow. However, too much sunlight can be harmful to plants, causing them to wilt and die. So how can you tell if your plant is getting too much sunlight? This article can help by giving you some warning signs that your plant is getting too much sunlight.

Loss Of Color

The best sign that your plant is getting too much sunlight is when its leaves start to lose their green color. When this happens, it means the plant has become overwhelmed by the intensity of the sun’s rays. This doesn’t happen overnight; instead, you will likely notice it in stages, with parts of the plant losing their color before other parts. It is probably too late to save your plant when the leaves are completely brown because its roots have died.

Drooping Leaves And Stems

As with loss of color, drooping can signify that your plant is getting too much sunlight. The reality is that plants do not like to be in the direct sun for too long, and when they get too hot, they release water from their leaves so that they do not burn. If this continues to happen over a long period, your plant will become droopy and weak. As with loss of color, by the time you notice your plant is drooping, it may be too late to save it.

Curling Leaves

Curled leaves are another sign that your plant is getting too much sunlight. All plants need a certain amount of sunlight to survive, but when they get too much, their leaves begin to curl up so that the direct light does not touch them. If the plant gets enough water and nutrients but still has curled leaves, its chances for survival are pretty good because it is likely that this is just a symptom of too much sunlight. If you move it away from the window, the plant will go back to normal and keep its soil moist enough.

Leaf Burn And Brown Spots

When too much sunlight hits your plant directly, it can cause its leaves to burn. This often comes in the form of brown spots on leaves or entire leaves that turn brown and die. This burned appearance is similar to the effects of drought because the leaves are dehydrated, but it is different in that it affects all parts of the plant. If the temperature is hot outside, this can also cause your plant’s roots to dry out. So if you see other signs such as drooping, your plant is probably getting too much sunlight.

Wrinkled Leaves

Leaves that are wrinkly or puckered can also signify your plant is getting too much sunlight, but only if the wrinkles are right next to where the leaves attach to the stem. This can cause damage to the tissue in this area and prevent it from carrying the nutrients your plant needs throughout its system. If you see wrinkles, you may be able to save your plant’s leaves by getting rid of any insects that are feeding on them and giving them a little shade.

Sunburned Stems And Roots

You may notice that the bottom of your plant’s stems and the middle part of its roots are turning brown. This is because the heat coming in through your window is baking these parts of the plant, killing them off. It may be possible to save the top leaves of your plant if you move it away from direct sunlight immediately. However, because these parts of the plant can’t produce new leaves, this injury will likely cause your plant to die.

Prevention Is The Best Cure

The best way to treat the symptoms of too much sunlight damaging your plant is prevention. The easiest way to prevent this from happening is to place your plants away from windows that receive direct sunlight. If you must place it near a window, consider purchasing a sheer curtain or blinds for it. This will keep the leaves from being scorched and allow the necessary sunlight to reach them. If you have a plant already damaged by too much sunlight, giving it some shade until its condition improves may be enough to save it.

Conclusion

Although plants need sunlight, they don’t always get along well with too much of it. If your house plant is getting more than two to four hours of full sun a day, you may begin to see signs that this level of light is damaging the leaves and stems. These signs included in this list are all possibilities of sun damage. If you notice these signs, it is best to take steps to move it away from direct sunlight and give it a little extra care until its condition improves.