Sunburn on peace lily
What's Happening
Peace lilies are shade-loving tropical plants that suffer sunburn when exposed to direct sunlight. Symptoms include yellow/brown crispy edges starting on the side facing the light, bleached patches, and dried leaves. Unlike other issues, sunburn damage is permanent - affected tissue cannot recover. Common triggers: placement in south/west windows without filtering, hot car rides during transport, or chemical treatments (neem oil, leaf shine) combined with light exposure.
How to Fix It
- 1
Move plant immediately to bright indirect light (north/east window, or 4-6 feet from south/west window)
- 2
Water thoroughly to rehydrate stressed tissue - peace lilies are drama queens that bounce back quickly when moved to shade
- 3
Trim severely damaged leaves at the base - they won't recover and waste plant energy
- 4
Maintain 60%+ humidity to help recovery (mist, pebble tray, or humidifier)
- 5
Wait 2-4 weeks for new healthy growth - peace lilies are resilient and will replace damaged foliage
What You'll Need
How to Prevent It
Always keep peace lilies in bright indirect light (1000-2000 lux). Use sheer curtains for south/west windows. Never apply oils or treatments before exposing to light - apply in evening. During transport, keep shaded and cool.