90% confidence Based on 20,000+ analyzed cases

Sunburn on bromeliad

bromeliad with sunburn

What's Happening

Direct midday sun causes bleached or crispy brown necrotic patches on thin-leaved species like Vriesea and Guzmania. Their foliar trichomes are adapted for filtered forest light.

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Relocate the plant to bright indirect light (East or West window with sheer curtains).

  2. 2

    Trim severely scorched leaves for aesthetics if pups are present.

  3. 3

    Increase humidity to help the plant recover from heat stress.

What You'll Need

How to Prevent It

Acclimate gradually to higher light. Use 30-50% shade cloth if moving outdoors.

Related Problems

Same Problem on Other Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes sunburn on my plant?
Direct midday sun causes bleached or crispy brown necrotic patches on thin-leaved species like Vriesea and Guzmania. Their foliar trichomes are adapted for filtered forest light.
How do I fix sunburn?
Relocate the plant to bright indirect light (East or West window with sheer curtains).. Trim severely scorched leaves for aesthetics if pups are present..
How do I prevent sunburn from happening again?
Acclimate gradually to higher light. Use 30-50% shade cloth if moving outdoors.