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How To Fix A Pothos Sunburn? Some Signs You Should Notice

Pothos is among the easiest houseplant spices to grow. However, it doesn’t mean that you can ignore your plant. Otherwise, it will develop problems, and sunburn is one of the biggest issues.  Signs of sunburn are apparent. Once you detect them, treat your in-house buddies immediately to recover their beautiful variegation. 

This article will show you how to fix a Pothos sunburn. Let’s follow our guide to understand what this plant needs!

How To Fix A Pothos Sunburn?

You can fix your sunburnt plant by following these steps:

  • Move the plant to avoid direct sunlight: Pothos plants love bright, indirect sunlight. If you see any signs of sun damage on your pothos, bring them inside to a cool, shady place.
  • Water it: Your plant will dry out as a result of sun exposure. So you need to water it until the water can drain out of the pot’s drainage holes. Misting the leaves will also help cool the pothos. 
  • Improve ventilation: Sunburn makes your plant hot. Thus, make sure that you place it in a well-ventilated place to cool it down.
  • Trim the damaged leaves: There are only a few burned leaves on your plant. You can save it by removing the damaged leaves using sanitised scissors.

How Do The Pothos Get Sunburned?

Pothos Get Sunburned

An indoor plant leaf may get burned when exposed to direct sunlight for too long. The foliage turns crispy and brown from the sudden dehydration caused by the intense heat.

  • Lack of moisture: Direct sunlight makes your plant hot. Even when the exposure doesn’t last long, it will dry up the plant, causing sunburn.
  • Humidity: Tropical plants like pothos love humid conditions. If the humidity level is too low, your plant will become dehydrated and get sunburned.
  • Temperature: High temperatures speed up water evaporation from your plant and the potting soil. It will exaggerate the plant’s experience with prolonged sunlight.

Excessive direct sunlight is the primary cause of sunburn. However, you should also pay attention to other possible cases.

Signs Of Pothos Getting Sun-Scorched?

Does your pothos get sun-scorched? We cover the signs in this section so you can take action to save your plant soon. You can spot illness caused by the sun on your plant easily, as the signs are noticeable. Your beautiful plant will show some symptoms that ruin its gorgeous look. 

A leaf burn also leads to other consequences, such as drying out the plant, limiting the precious nutrients it can access, and many more. To detect the problem, you should check the leaves carefully. Here are the most common signs to consider. 

Leaves turning yellow

The discolouration is the most apparent sign of sunburn. Your pothos’ leaves will turn from green to yellow as a result of the burn.

Pothos is famous for its green variegation. Yellowing leaves will destroy the consistent texture of the leaves. Moreover, those leaves are much weaker than the green ones, affecting the stem significantly. 

Brown tips on leaves

Imagine how fire burns a piece of paper. It will leave brown marks on the paper’s surface. This problem is the same as the sunburn effect on pothos.

The parts of the leaves that burn will turn dark brown. Those spots often start at the edges, while some form in the middle. The brown spots have yellow rims. The size of the spots varies depending on how much damage the plant has suffered.

Wilting, dropping plants

The yellow and brown leaves have burned, and they can’t absorb nutrients anymore. Hence, they won’t last long but will droop, wilt, and finally drop.

Stunted growth

Pothos plants only develop at their best in optimal conditions, including moderate light. If you give them too much sunlight, they become dehydrated and fail to absorb nutrients and water. This can cause the plant to become leggy, with long, spindly stems and few leaves.

How To Prevent Your Pothos From Getting Burned? 

Prevent Pothos From Getting Burned

It would be best to prevent the problems before they come out as brown spots on your plant. We will discuss some tips and explain how they can help you avoid this problem Pothos.

Provide adequate light

The leading cause of burned leaves is intense sunlight. This species doesn’t grow well in direct sunlight and will dry out as a result. Aerial roots may also grow from the leaves in an attempt to reach more moisture. So focus on lighting when growing houseplants. These plants love medium light.

You should ensure them about six to eight hours of bright, indirect sunlight for the strongest development. If you live in a sunny region, you can avoid burning leaves by installing sheer curtains. They will block the sunlight and give your plant a more pleasant living space. 

Water properly

Underwater swimming may also result in sunburn. Meanwhile, overwatering will lead to root rot. As a result, you must establish a proper watering routine for your pothos plant. The plants typically require watering every one to two weeks. To determine if your plant needs water, poke your fingers about two inches deep into the soil. If it feels dry, give your plant some water. 

Conclusion 

A pothos that is exposed to too much light and heat from the sun will weaken over time if you don’t take immediate action. Follow our guide, and you can help your lovely plant recover its stunning appearance. Hopefully, you will succeed in fixing the burned leaves. It’s time to say goodbye to those ugly dark patches, as the plant should always look its best.

FAQs

  1. How much light does Golden Pothos need?

    These plants prefer low to moderate indirect light in north-facing houses or during cooler months with fewer daylight hours. Please note that the leaves of these plants can burn and turn brown under strong, intense light.

  2. <strong>Can pothos survive in direct sunlight? </strong>

    Yes, but not too long. Pothos plants are tolerant and may thrive in a range of environments. They can resist spending a few hours each day in the direct sun. However, we don’t recommend having your plant exposed to direct sunlight too much, as it will cause burned leaves. 

  3. <strong>Can golden pothos grow in low light?</strong>

    Yes. This species likes low-light conditions to thrive. You can install curtains so your plant will not get too much sun. 

Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence is the CEO of Swipe Garden. Over 10 years in the writing and passion for gardening, she brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to the world of gardening. Kelly Lawrence has cultivated a community of plant lovers, making gardening accessible and enjoyable for all.