sunburn on Chinese Evergreen
Quick answer
If your Chinese Evergreen has sunburn, the most likely cause is: Chinese Evergreen is a low-light specialist adapted to tropical understories; it lacks the protective mechanisms for direct UV exposure. Sunburn manifests as bleached, translucent, or brittle brown patches on leaves exposed to direct window light or sudden outdoor shifts. Heat shock (temps >85-90�F) is a distinct but related stressor that causes acute wilting and turgor loss even without direct leaf burn.
Start here:
- 1. Immediate relocation: Move the plant to a shaded indoor location away from direct light and heat sources (AC vents, heaters).
- 2. Trim damage: Prune severely scorched leaves with sterilized shears; these tissues are necrotic and will not recover.
Why Chinese Evergreen gets sunburn
Aglaonema spp.
Chinese Evergreen is a low-light specialist adapted to tropical understories; it lacks the protective mechanisms for direct UV exposure. Sunburn manifests as bleached, translucent, or brittle brown patches on leaves exposed to direct window light or sudden outdoor shifts. Heat shock (temps >85-90�F) is a distinct but related stressor that causes acute wilting and turgor loss even without direct leaf burn.
How to reverse sunburn on Chinese Evergreen
- 1
Immediate relocation: Move the plant to a shaded indoor location away from direct light and heat sources (AC vents, heaters).
- 2
Trim damage: Prune severely scorched leaves with sterilized shears; these tissues are necrotic and will not recover.
- 3
Acclimatize: If moving to a brighter spot, increase exposure by only 1 hour per day over 2-3 weeks.
- 4
Cool down: If heat shocked, place in a cool room (65-75�F) and water lightly if soil is dry; do not soak until the plant stabilizes.
Keep sunburn off this Chinese Evergreen
Maintain light levels between 500-1500 lux (100-300 foot-candles); use sheer curtains for south/west windows; avoid taking plants outdoors in temperatures above 85�F; monitor for leaf paling as an early warning of excessive light.