For plants that are more sensitive, or that are exposed to the sun for extended periods of time, sunburn can be a real threat.
Watch: How To Revive Potted Plants
Can plants get sunburned?
Although plants live out in the sunshine all day long, they can still be burned or damaged by the sun. It may seem surprising that a plant can be affected by the sun in the same way we can, but it is a very common problem.
For all the gardeners out there, you need not worry any longer, because there’s a great way to protect your plants from the sun – plant sunscreen!
When do plants get sunburnt?
Plants, of course, are most at risk of getting sunburnt during spring and summer, but there are some other factors that can cause sunburn.
If you have a new plant that you have just bought, your garden conditions may be different to that of the nursery or plant centre that they came from. Similarly, relocating a plant from indoors to outdoors or to a new area of your backyard may cause your plant to get sunburnt.
Plants that are prone to sunburn
There are a huge variety of plants that are more prone to being burnt by the sun. For your vegetables, capsicum, eggplant, zucchini and cucumber can get brown sunburn patches that will appear to be dry and sunken. Melons, including rockmelon and watermelon can also have this problem.
As for non-produce plants, surprisingly, many tropical plants can experience sunburn. This is if there is low humidity but high sun levels and hot, dry winds.
Some of these plants include succulents, frangipani and mango trees. You can tell that they are experiencing sunburn from a mosaic-like appearance going up the trunk of your plants.
How to prevent sunburn on your plants
One of the best ways to protect your plants from sunburn is by using a drought shield. Acting as a ‘plant sunscreen’, a droughtshield is a spray that is usually applied to the leaves of your plants so they do not get damaged by excessive sun exposure.
A droughtshield like Yates 2.5L Waterwise DroughtShield Leaf Protectant locks in the moisture of your plants so when the sun does shine for a little too long, it has a moisture ‘shield’ around it for protection.
A droughtshield can also be used in cases of extreme heat, drought, dry winds, water loss, light frost and even transplant shock.
Other ways you can prevent sunburn are by taking different conditions into consideration. When relocating a plant to a new area of your yard, move it gradually so sun exposure is not as shocking.
During spring and summer, consider checking up on your plants more often for watering and maintenance. Additionally, you could move more sensitive plants to shadier areas.
You may also like:
4 ways to water your houseplants while you’re away
Pet-friendly indoor plant plants
5 houseplants you can’t kill by overwatering
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
