Snake plant is one of the most popular plants because it is very easy to care for and can grow on neglect. They are also tolerant to many pests or diseases, making them one of the best low-maintenance plants for busy people.
But if you push snake plant to its limit you may have some issues growing it. One of these issues is sunburn. If you have ever had a sunburned snake plant, you know how frustrating it can be.
Sunburn gets more frequent in hot, dry climates, where plants are more likely to be exposed to sun rays for long periods of time. There are a few ways to prevent sunburn in plants, such as using shading cloths or painting them with light-colored paint.
In this article, we will take a look at how snake plant may experience sunburn and give you some of the best ways to fix this issue.
Table of Contents
How to Fix the Snake Plant Sunburn Issue?
To fix a sunburned snake plant start by bringing the plant to a shadier location as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Then, cut off the affected leaves and water the plant to help it recover quickly.
When a plant experiences sunburn, the leaves become dried out and discolored. If these leaves are not removed, they can prevent the plant from getting the sunlight it needs to photosynthesize. Additionally, the burned leaves can provide a hiding place for pests and diseases. By removing the burned leaves, you will help the plant to recover and prevent further damage.
You can remove the leaves of the burned plant by gently pulling them off or by using a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Be sure to remove all of the burned leaves, as they will continue to draw nutrients away from the plant. Once the leaves are removed, the plant should recover quickly.
After removing the dead leaves you can move the plant to a shadier location. But remember to acclimate the plant slowly to avoid shocking the plant and causing further damage.
To acclimate your snake plant start by gradually increasing the amount of time the plant spends indoors over the course of a week or two.
Start by bringing the plant inside for an hour or two each day, then slowly increase the amount of time until the plant is indoors full-time. This will help the plant adjust to the change in temperature and light, and prevent it from being shocked.
Proper watering is also crucial for a sunburned snake plant. We should water such a plant thoroughly to help it heal and prevent further damage.
Cactus Soil for Your Snake Plant: Is It a Good Idea? Here Is the Answer
How Can You Tell if A Snake Plant Has Sunburn?
You can identify a sunburned snake plant by looking at the color of the leaves. Generally, a sunburned snake plant will have burn spots on the leaves and brown leaf tips. Also, If you want to detect plant sunburn at an early stage check the dryness of the soil. When the soil is extremely dry, this is a sign of the beginning of a sunburn.
Here is the full breakdown of all sunburn signs for snake plant.
White Foliage
When a snake plant gets sunburned, the leaves develop white patches. This is because the leaves are not able to produce enough chlorophyll, which is necessary for photosynthesis. Without chlorophyll, the leaves are unable to produce food for the plant, and they turn white.
Brown Leaf Tips
Another sign of sunburn for snake plant is the brown leaf tips. When this plant gets too much sun, the tips of its leaves start to turn brown which is an early sign of sunburn. If you see your snake plant developing brown leaf tips, try moving it to a spot that gets less sun.
Dry Soil
If the soil around your snake plant is dry, it’s a sign that your plant is getting too much sun. The sun can burn the leaves of your plant, causing them to turn brown and dry out. To prevent this, make sure to give your plant some shade during the hottest hours of the day.
Wondering about using Succulent Soil for Your Snake Plant? Check out this article before you do so!
How Do You Prevent Sunburn in A Snake Plant?
To prevent snake plant from getting sunburned should avoid exposing the plant to direct light or long hours of sunlight during summer. Also, acclimating the plant before bringing it outside in spring and summer is another measure that can help avoid sunburn significantly.
Here are the main actions that you can do to prevent sunburn for snake plant and how you can perform each one of them.
Acclimation
When you first bring your plants outside in the spring and summer, they will need some time to adjust to the new conditions. This process is called acclimation. During acclimation, gradually increase the amount of time your plants spend outside each day. This will give them time to develop a thicker layer of protection against sun rays. Once they are acclimated, they will be more immune to sunburn.
Give Your Plant More Shade
Is Your Snake Plant Growing Sideways? Click Here to Know Why.
To give your plant more light exposure and still avoid sunburn, you can try one of two things. You can either move your plant to a spot that gets more indirect sunlight, or you can buy a grow light and set it on an intensity that does not hurt the plant.
To avoid causing sunburn to your plant when using grow light, make sure to start with a low-intensity light and gradually increase the intensity as your plant becomes acclimated. Additionally, be sure to place the light at a distance from the plant so that it is not directly radiate on the leaves.
Give Your Plant Special Care when It’s Still Young
Fertilizing a young snake plant will help it resist all kinds of difficulties in the future. By providing the plant with essential nutrients, you will help it to develop a strong root system and encourage new growth. This will make the plant more resistant to stress and less likely to succumb to pests and diseases.
