At this time of year I’m sending my houseplants to summer camp. I’m also puttting those plants that I’ve wintered indoors outside again, and in both cases it’s easy for these things to be sunburned. The main message in this post is this: Never assume that the place you’re putting your plants is shady enough and always error on the side of caution. In other words, put them in more shade and then move the plants gradually into more light. Take it from me, since every year I have to learn the hard way.
This asparagus fern was looking so lovely when I put it outside last week. I thought that this table was in full shade, but I didn’t check to be sure. Shame on me! When I looked at the plant tonight I saw that it was sunburned. I have watered it, and moved it into a full shade location, but the damage was really unnecessary…had I looked to be certain that this area didn’t get any direct sun the plant wouldn’t have gotten sunburned.
If your houseplants have gotten sunburned they will shed the most damaged leaves, but the best thing is to prevent this from happening in the first place.
See the white leaves on this plant? They have been sunburned, and will soon fall off.
