Pothos plants are a popular houseplant, as they have such beautiful foliage. They can also be grown outdoors in warm climates. But what happens if you leave your pothos in the sun for too long? Is sunburn a concern? Let’s find out…
Can Pothos Get Sunburn?
Yes, the leaves on a pothos can burn. This will happen if you leave your plant in direct sunlight for too long. Pothos plants can adapt to low-light environments, so I suggest keeping your pothos in a space that receives moderate amounts of in-direct light.
How To Save A Sunburnt Pothos?
If you want to save your sunburnt pothos plant, keep reading for our plant-saving tips. Although it’s possible to save a burnt pothos, some of the leaves may have to be discarded, as there is only so much you can do to save your plant.
1) Discard any dark brown leaves
The color of the leaves on a pothos plant will change from green to brown if left in the sun for too long. In order to keep the plant healthy, sunburnt leaves should be removed before you can save the rest of your plant. Sterilize your pothos pruning scissors (Amazon link) before making cuts.
2) Move your plant away from direct sun
To keep the pothos plant healthy, place it in indirect light or in a room that is nowhere near sunlight. You should not move the plant from a low-light area to a bright place in the future. Also, be mindful about keeping your plant too near to windows.
3) Provide air
Put your pothos in a spot where it receives plenty of air. The plant will be uncomfortable and need to cool off.
4) Give it water
The plant may have been overexposed to sunlight and dried out. As such, your pothos needs to be watered a lot to stay healthy. To keep the plant moist, use a mister to spray cool water on it every day.
Other Reasons for Discolored Leaves
Fungal infection
It could be that brown spots on the leaves are caused by disease. House plants are susceptible to a variety of bacterial diseases, including bacterial leaf spots. There are a number of ways to reduce the risk of infection, including humidity control and proper ventilation.
Overwatering
The overwatering of this plant can cause root rot. This happens when the oxygen in the roots is depleted. This means the plant won’t get access to the nutrients it needs to stay alive.
Too much nitrogen
Fertilizer is an important part of ensuring your pothos plant stays healthy, but don’t do it too much. Too many nutrients can damage the roots, especially too much nitrogen. These brown patches are typically seen on the ends of the foliage.
Wrong temperature
Pothos need to be provided the right amount of light and warmth in order for them to grow. If you fail to provide adequate sunlight, your pothos plant will develop brown spots. The best temperature range for pothos houseplants is between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if you want the pothos to grow faster. High or low temperatures can cause brown spots to appear on leaves, so keep a thermometer close by.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pothos plants are great for any home. They’re hardy and can thrive in ordinary conditions, but they do require a little TLC to maintain their health.
It’s true that they can get sunburnt, so keep them away from direct light if you can. In fact, these plants are fine in low-light conditions, so don’t be scared to move them away from the windows.
Tim is an avid gardener from the UK. He was the founder of PlantCarer.com from 2021 to Sep 2023. He sold PlantCarer.com to Aaron. He has since started his own business called Seed To Supper, which provides new gardeners all the materials you need in a box (pots, seeds, compost and instructions) to grow your own delicious and nutritious vegetables and herbs from start to finish – no garden required.
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