Monstera plants are one of the most popular and cool indoor plants around, but they can also be really touchy to a lot of sun. If your Monstera has been in direct sun for too long, it’s likely you will start seeing signs like yellow leaves or brown spots on its green leaves. This is a good indication that your Monstera may have suffered from sunburn! In this blog post, we will discuss signs of monstera sunburn and what you should do in the event of too much sun or UV ray burn.
Monstera sunburn signs and how to Recover or Revive Sunburnt it
Monstera plants can get sunburn if they are exposed to too much direct sun. Signs of sunburn include monstera black/brown spots, tips and edges going brown, turning yellow spot and brown leaves, wilted, droopy leaves, crispy leaves, blistering, dry edges on leaves, crumbly leaves, curvy leaves, dropping leaves, wilting, curling leaves and extreme cases, the whole plant may die.
To fix Monstera sunburn, move the plant out of direct sun, use grow lights to control lighting conditions, water the plant deeply and regularly, remove any damaged leaves, keep a comfy temp and moisture level, and fertilize the plant every two weeks during the growing season.
My real life example of how to fix a sunburned Monstera:
I love my Monstera plant. It’s one of my favorites, and I’ve been taking good care of it for years. But, man, I goofed up last week. I left it out in the sun and totally spaced on bringing it back inside.
The next morning, I see my Monstera was sunburned at many different locations. The ends and sides of the leaves turned brown, and there were some sketchy dark patches. I knew I had to do something to help my plant, so I followed these steps:
- Relocated the plant: Plopped my Monstera in a chill spot in my living room.
- Removed the burnt leaves: I carefully snipped off the burnt leaves with a pair of scissors.
- Moistened the soil: I watered my Monstera thoroughly once the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry.
- Fertilized the monstera: I gave my Monstera a light dose of fertilizer to help it recover.
I keep an eye on my Monstera for a bit. The messed-up leaves kept browning and dropped off eventually. But hey, new leaves popped up, and my buddy bounced back from the sun fry.
Black and Brown Spots
The onset of black and brown spots on Monstera leaves can often show the first signs of sunburn. These spots stem from the sun’s UV rays hurting the plant’s cells. If these spots start to appear, it’s likely a signal that your plant is getting too much sun and would like a spot with less direct sun.
Tips and Edges Turning Brown
The going brown of leaf tips and edges is another telltale sign of Monstera sunburn. Too much sun can cause the plant’s leaves to dehydrate, leading to this going brown. If you notice this sign, consider it as a warning sign for too much sun.
Bleaching
Bleaching, defined as a loss of leaf color, serves as a robust indicator of Monstera sunburn. The too much sun overwhelms the plant’s protective pigments, causing a big loss of vitality and shine. This often results in a bleached appearance, signaling a need for fast help.
Wilted and Droopy Leaves
Your plants react to stress like sunburn or dehydration by displaying wilted and Monstera droopy leaves. This reaction to too much heat and sun, along with a possible water shortage, can harm the plant’s general health and looks.
Crisp Leaves
A bad sign of sunburn in Monstera plants is when the leaves take on a dry and crispy texture. This usually happens when the plant experiences intense, Direct sunlight for a long time, causing the leaves to dry up fast.
Blistering
Raised bumps on Monstera leaves, a sign of severe sunburn. It’s an alarm bell that the plant is having a hard time and requires quick fixes in its environment.
Dried Out Edges on Leaves
Sunburn can cause the leaf edges of Monstera plants to dry out and turn brown. This is an indication that the plant’s moisture is evaporating at a faster rate due to harsh sun and heat, stressing the plant and hurting the plant.
Crumbly Crispy Leaves
A symptom of serious sunburn is when the leaves become crumbly and fall off. The leaves are so dry and brittle that they can no longer Maintain their structure, indicating heavy drying and exposure to sunlight.
Curling Leaves
Monstera leaves might curl up as a Defense mechanism against too much sun. This curling is a protective trick indicating a lot of sun and suggests that the plant needs a shadier spot.
Leaf Fall
In the worst cases of sunburn, a Monstera plant may begin to drop leaves. Leaves dropping is a major sign of distress in the plant and demands quick steps to rescue and recover the plant’s health.
How to treat Monstera Sunburn?
Burnt Monstera is a common problem experienced by many gardeners. It occurs when the leaves of your Monstera plant are exposed to Monstera light requirements intense sunlight for too long.
Move your monstera out of direct sunlight
Move it to a shadier location or install blinds or curtains over the windowsill where it’s located. If you don’t have access to any shading items, you can make a DIY solution with a piece of cardboard or newspaper.
It may take several weeks for your Monstera’s leaves to recover from sunburn, so patience is key. During this recovery period, make sure you water your plant regularly, keeping the soil damp. It might be good to add extra plant food into the care routine, which could speed up recovery.
If the sunburn is severe, you can also gently remove any hurt leaves with a pair of scissors or pruning shears. This will prevent the infection from getting worse and help your Monstera look healthier again.
Use grow lights to control lighting conditions
In the event of a severe sunburn on your Monstera, or if there’s no suitable shaded area available, resort to using grow lights. These lights provide the plant with the necessary light levels without the harshness of Direct sunlight. Most garden centers or online platforms can be a good source for these grow lights. To create optimal growing conditions, keep a steady temp and ensure enough damp air for your Monstera.
For instance, let me tell you about my Monstera plant. So, my Monstera was literally getting sunburned because I had it sitting right under the scorching sun that came through the south-facing window during the crazy hot summer days, like 30 degrees hot! But hey, I didn’t give up on her. I went online and bought this cool GE Lighting 93101230 LED thingy. I hung it about 12 inches above my Monstera, and you know what? It provided her with the perfect kind of bright light she needed, but without burning her up like the sun did. It was like magic! No more sunburn issues for my precious Monstera, thanks to that awesome grow light!
During the recovery phase, if the sunburn appears to be significant, a diluted alcohol mix can be applied gently to the damaged areas to foster healing. Moreover, during this recovery period, lessen the Watering frequency as too much moisture could hinder the plant’s healing process.
Make sure your Monstera is getting enough water
Your Monstera’s health can depend greatly on how you water. The best approach is to water the plant a lot but not often. You can achieve this by soaking the soil until water begins to flow out from the drain spots, then waiting until the upper inch of soil has dried out before watering again. Remember that both underwatering and overwatering can be bad for your Monstera, so finding a balance is key.
Here are some helpful hints for watering your Monstera:
- Opt for lukewarm water: Using cold water can shock your Monstera, increasing its susceptibility to sunburn. Warm water is more gentle and less likely to cause damage.
- Select a monstera pot with sufficient drainage: A container with appropriate drain spots will help to prevent rotting roots, which can happen if your plant sits in too much water. Rotting roots can also make your Monstera more prone to sunburn.
- Water your plant thoroughly: Ensure the water reaches deep into the soil, flowing out through the drain spots. This will help hydrate all the roots.
- Allow the soil to become dry prior to the next watering: Ensure the top layer of soil, about an inch in depth, has completely dried out before you proceed with watering again. This method avoids the soil from getting too soggy and contributes to preserving the well-being of your plant.
Check the plant for any other signs of damage
Underwatering and overwatering are two more difficulties that burnt Monstera leaves may have, as well as Pests or diseases on your Monstera. Because the plant is already sunburned, it is important to take extra care of your Monstera during this time.
Look for tiny spots on the leaves that could indicate bugs. Mold will also form on the leaves as a color change. These issues must be handled right away to avoid them from worsening.
Remove any damaged leaves
Attending to damaged sections of your Monstera promptly can help to prevent more damage. If leaves show signs of bad sunburn, they should be taken off, but in case of little harm, it’s best to let the leaves shed by itself with time. Also, make sure to cut off brown edges to stop more burns.
Using clean and clean scissors or pruning tools is essential when dealing with affected areas, as this minimizes the chance of spreading illness throughout the plant.
Following the pruning process, your Monstera will need some extra care. Make sure it gets steady water and light levels to support its recovery and overall health.
Ensure Optimal Temperature for Your Plant
To avoid sunburn, one should strive to create a good heat and dampness environment within your living space. By keeping the temperature for your plant around 65-75°F (18-24°C), you can shield its delicate leaves from overheating and following harm from the sun’s UV radiation. Furthermore, providing lots of shade, particularly during the hottest sun times, can aid in preventing sunburn.
Nourish Your Plant
Starting a fertilizer plan can kick off healing for your sunburnt plant. Go for a fertilizer filled with micronutrients such as iron or zinc, essential for photosynthesis. During the growth phase, it’s a good idea to fertilize your Monstera every two weeks. Always stick to the watering down guide provided on the fertilizer package to avoid leaf burn due to too much nutrients. Also, it’s good to lessen the plant’s exposure to direct sunlight for a few days, helping it recover from sunburn.
Frequently asked questions about Monstera sunburn
How much sun does a monstera need?
Monsteras need 5 to 8 hours of bright indirect light per day for best growth. Keep it out of direct sun as it can easily cause sunburn on the leaves of monsteras, leading to yellow or brown spots and patches. Depending on the strength of the sun, Monsteras can tolerate brief periods of direct light but this should always be done carefully and only when absolutely necessary.
Can monsteras be in full sun?
No, Monsteras shouldn’t be in full sun as this can easily cause bad sunburn.
Can monstera handle morning sun?
Yes, Monsteras can generally stand morning sun as long as it’s not too strong. It’s best to move the plant away from direct sunlight when temperatures start to rise in the afternoon.
Does Monstera like direct sunlight?
No, Monsteras do not like direct sunlight. They prefer bright, indirect light.
In conclusion, Monstera plants, despite their beauty and popularity, are especially prone to sunburn if exposed to too much sun. When symptoms show up such as yellowing leaves, brown patches, and other signs as discussed in this FamiPlants, shows that you gotta act fast. The key to bringing your sunburnt Monstera back lies in proper care habits like controlled lighting, watering, keeping temperature right, and fertilization. Remember, the health of your Monstera is a testament to your plant caring abilities and your knack to recognize and respond to the plant’s needs promptly.”
