How do you revive a plant that got too much sun?

Author: Dr. Elissa Schulist Jr.  |  Last update: Friday, May 9, 2025

Keep them in a shady spot to give them a chance to recover: even plants that look terminally crispy can often revive and re-sprout with this treatment. Larger pots should be heavily watered, then allowed to drain – one deep watering is better than daily sprinkles.

Can plants recover from too much sun?

The good news is that yes, your plant can recover from sunburn if it's not too bad. The bad news is that the sunburnt parts of the plant will never go away; it'll always have a scar if it does pull through.

How to fix a plant that got too hot?

Plants may take time to recover, so continue providing consistent care and avoid major changes until they show signs of improvement.
  1. Water Deeply – But Only When The Soil Is Dry. ...
  2. Don't Water In The Middle Of The Day. ...
  3. Take Extra Care With Containers. ...
  4. Apply Mulch Around Plants. ...
  5. Remove Dead Foliage. ...
  6. Don't Fertilize.

How to fix a sun damaged plant?

Unfortunately there is no way to reverse the damage, just be more careful next time. You need to acclimatize them to direct sun, especially in summer time. Start with bright indirect light, then move it gradually to direct in short increments.

Can you save a sun scorched plant?

Take the plant away from the sunlight as soon as possible. As there may still be sections of the foliage relatively unscathed, removing it from the firing line will prevent further overall damage. If there's visible dehydration, accompanied by dry soil, now's the time for irrigation.

How To Revive Your Dying Plants

Can plants recover from heat damage?

Some plants died and others were fried by the record-breaking temperatures. Even some that look extremely bad, like rhododendrons and hydrangeas, can bounce back. Burned leaves don't necessarily equal a dead plant, so patience and observation is needed.

How do you revive a scorched plant?

You will want to trim the dead or scorched foliage after properly watering. Your plant is expending energy on attempting to keep the burnt parts alive. Clip these areas off so that the energy it produces will go to the areas of the plant that are still healthy.

Can you undo sun damage?

While medical professionals cannot reverse the effects of sun damage entirely, there are treatments that can help with collagen production, skin turnover, improvements in the appearance of dark spots and more. These include: Topical treatments containing retinol. Chemical peels.

Should I cut off scorched leaves?

Removing leaf burn depends on a case-by-case basis. If a small part of the leaf is burned, but the plant is still getting water and functioning, it's best to just let it be. In more severe cases where the leaves are completely brown and dry, it is best to remove them before disease takes over the rest of the plant.

Can a sunburnt plant be revived?

If the sunburn is not too severe, the plant can recover by growing new tissue to replace the damaged tissue. The plant may also produce new pigments to protect against further damage. However, if the sunburn is severe, the plant may not be able to recover, and it may die.

How long does it take for a plant to recover from heat stress?

It can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months for stressed plants to recover. Recovery time depends on the amount of damage that the heat caused to the plant. If a stressed plant is completely neglected during a heatwave, it can take several months or even be impossible to revive it.

What do sun scorched leaves look like?

What is leaf scorch? Leaf scorch is a physiological disorder that presents as discolored tissues on the margins and sometimes between the veins of tree and shrub leaves. In severe cases the whole leaf turns brown, shrivels up and drops off. Leaf scorch is, in fact, a reaction to an unfavorable environment.

How do you revive a stressed plant?

To revive the plant, you can soak it in water and then adopt a predictable watering schedule that uses the same amount of water each time. Remove dead leaves: Improper care may cause most leaves on the plant to die, and it's usually best to remove leaves that have become entirely brown.

How to revive a plant that got too hot?

Keep them in a shady spot to give them a chance to recover: even plants that look terminally crispy can often revive and re-sprout with this treatment. Larger pots should be heavily watered, then allowed to drain – one deep watering is better than daily sprinkles.

How do you cover plants from too much sun?

Use Shade Cloth to Protect Plants from Intense Sunlight

Make sure the structure you hang the shade cloth from is strong enough to stand up to wind and rain without collapsing and potentially damaging the plants it is supposed to protect. Shade cloth comes in different sizes and shade factors.

How to tell if a plant is getting too much sun?

Symptoms of excess sunlight on indoor plants

When shade-loving plants are exposed to full sun, leaf scorch or sunburn can occur. Strong sun and heat cause the breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaf. Damage appears as pale, bleached or faded areas. These areas eventually become brown and brittle.

How to fix sun scorched plants?

Remove affected leaves to allow the plant to redirect energy to healthy areas. Mulch around your plants to protect the root system, ensuring hydration and shielding from the sun. Avoid piling mulch around the tree's trunk. If your plant is in a container, relocate it to shade during the hottest afternoon hours.

Can plants recover from sun damage?

Sun-scorched plants can be cut back and fertilized and should recover with time (planting in the ground would be even better!).

What does Sunscald look like?

The bark may show as an elongated canker (areas of dead bark) that appears sunken or discolored, followed by cracking and peeling of the bark. You'll find the damage on the south or southwest side of a tree. Wrapping your tree before winter on these thin barked trees may help prevent sunscald.

What products reverse sun damage?

Retinoids, retinols: These topical products provide their best benefit when treating early signs of photoaging. These chemicals encourage skin cells to slough off so new cells come to the surface. They also stimulate collagen production, which keeps skin tighter.

What does sun damage look like?

Symptoms include the following: Wrinkling. Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines) and freckles. Loss of skin tone (decreased elasticity)

How long does it take to fix sun damage?

That means it takes 20-30 hours for your cells to repair even half the damage. In one study that took samples at 24 and 72 hours after exposure, almost 25% of the damage detected at the 24-hour mark was still present at 72 hours.

How to bring a plant back to life?

Plant Resuscitation: 7 Tricks To Bring Dead Plants Back To Life
  1. Take a close look at the damage. Most ailing plants are suffering from improper cultural care. ...
  2. Prune away dead foliage. ...
  3. Water a thirsty plant. ...
  4. Let soggy soil dry out. ...
  5. Adjust the sun exposure. ...
  6. Provide humidity. ...
  7. Consider repotting.

Can plants recover from extreme heat?

The time needed to recover from stress is proportional to the severity of the damage. Plant heat stress recovery may take months for crops that have been ignored for too long during a heatwave; in extreme cases, it may be impossible to bring them back to life.

How to fix a plant with burnt leaves?

Once your houseplant has burned leaf margins or tips, there is no good way to reverse the damage at the injured location. The only useful thing is to solve the underlying issue and hope your plant resumes its healthy growth.

Previous article
What is the gap between door and door stop?
Next article
Does downrod length affect airflow?