Sunburn on jade plant
What's Happening
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) grown in low-light indoor conditions develop thin, delicate cuticles and reduced chlorophyll density. When abruptly exposed to direct sunlight (even 2-3 hours), the leaf cells cannot dissipate excess photon energy, triggering photooxidative damage. This appears as brown, crispy spots on leaf surfaces within 24-72 hours. The damage is permanent and occurs because the plant lacks photoprotective pigments that develop gradually under increasing light exposure.
How to Fix It
- 1
Immediately relocate the plant to bright indirect light only
- 2
Remove damaged leaves with sterile scissors to prevent secondary infection
- 3
Allow plant to recover in stable conditions for 2-3 weeks
- 4
Gradually reintroduce direct sunlight using 14-day acclimation protocol
- 5
Monitor new growth for signs of successful adaptation
What You'll Need
How to Prevent It
Acclimate jade plants to direct sunlight over 14-21 days: start with 30 minutes of morning sun, increasing by 30 minutes every 3 days. Maintain bright indirect light (east-facing window) during the acclimation period. Never move shade-grown jades directly to south-facing windows or outdoor full sun without gradual transition.