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Sun scorch and sunscald

Strong sun burns tissue that is not used to it: leaves on a plant just moved outside, fruit suddenly uncovered by leaf loss, houseplants set in a south window. The damage is permanent, but it does not spread, and new growth adapts.

Light & temperature
A tomato leaf with pale, papery scorched patches
A tomato leaf with pale, papery scorched patches

What it looks like

Scorch sits where the sun lands and nowhere else, which is its giveaway.

  • Pale, faded areas between the veins on the upper, outer leaves.
    Bleached leaf patches Pale, faded areas between the veins on the upper, outer leaves.
  • Peppers and tomatoes develop a white or tan leathery patch on the sunny side that does not rot at first.
    Papery fruit patches Peppers and tomatoes develop a white or tan leathery patch on the sunny side that does not rot at first.
  • In heatwaves, leaf margins on the exposed side dry to brown.
    Crisp brown edges In heatwaves, leaf margins on the exposed side dry to brown.
  • Aloes and other succulents flush red or brown when sun suddenly strengthens.
    Reddened succulents Aloes and other succulents flush red or brown when sun suddenly strengthens.

How to confirm it

Check for a pattern that matches the light.

  1. Pale, faded patches

    Bleached or yellow areas, often turning brown and papery, not water-soaked.

  2. Dry texture

    Damaged areas feel thin and crisp, not soft or slimy.

  3. Matches the exposure

    Only the side facing the sun is hit, often after a hot spell or a sudden move into stronger light.

What to do

Scorched tissue will not recover, but you can stop more damage.

  1. Provide shade

    Use shade cloth or move containers into light shade during the hottest part of the day.

  2. Keep plants watered

    Consistent moisture helps plants cope with heat stress.

  3. Leave damaged leaves

    Trim only fully crisp leaves; part-damaged ones still feed the plant and shade fruit.

  4. Pick spoiled fruit

    Scalded fruit can be eaten if cut away, but rots easily; use it soon.

Prevent it next time

  • Harden off plants gradually over 7 to 14 days before planting out.
  • Move houseplants into stronger light a step at a time.
  • Keep a leaf canopy over fruit: do not strip tomato or pepper leaves heavily.
  • Shade glasshouses in summer.

What not to do

Do not strip damaged leaves en masse. The fruit and stems below them then scorch in turn.

In the growing guides

Where the guides mention it, with plant-specific advice.

Sources

  1. Sunscald on vegetables, University of Maryland Extension
  2. Weather damage, Royal Horticultural Society