If you’ve ever noticed your plants wilting or turning brown after a sunny day, they might be getting too much exposure to direct sunlight. Not all plants are made for the full intensity of the sun, and some simply can’t handle the harsh rays. While sunlight is essential for photosynthesis, too much of it can scorch leaves and dry out delicate plants.
There are plenty of plants that thrive in lower light or filtered sun, but when placed in the wrong spot, they can suffer. It’s important to know which plants need shade or indirect light to stay healthy and vibrant. In this list, we’ll look at 22 plants that are particularly sensitive to too much sun, so you can keep them thriving in the right environment.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are stunning indoor plants with broad, glossy leaves and elegant white flowers. These tropical beauties thrive in low light conditions, making them perfect for shaded corners of your home.
Overexposure to sunlight can cause their leaves to scorch, turning brown and crispy. If your Peace Lily is suffering, consider moving it to a spot with indirect light and maintain regular watering.
The plant’s natural habitat is the forest floor, where it enjoys dappled sunlight filtered through trees. Achieving this balance indoors can help your Peace Lily flourish beautifully in its potted setting.
Calathea
Calathea plants are known for their strikingly patterned leaves, often displaying vibrant colors and intricate designs. These tropical plants hail from shaded forest floors, where direct sunlight rarely reaches.
Too much sun can cause their leaves to fade and lose the distinctive markings that make them so appealing. To keep a Calathea looking its best, provide a humid environment and avoid placing it in direct sunlight.
Instead, position the plant in a spot with filtered or indirect light. This will ensure your Calathea maintains its beautiful appearance and continues to be a stunning indoor feature.
Ferns
Ferns are classic plants, adored for their lush fronds and graceful appearance. Naturally found in shaded, humid forests, ferns thrive in environments with indirect light.
Direct sun exposure can cause fronds to turn brown and crispy, significantly harming the plant. To nurture a fern indoors, place it away from windows that receive harsh sunlight.
Regular misting and maintaining high humidity levels can also help ferns flourish. By mimicking their natural habitat, you can enjoy the beauty of ferns as they add a touch of greenery to your indoor spaces without the risk of sun damage.
Begonias
Begonias are beloved for their bright blooms and decorative foliage. These charming plants prefer filtered light and can suffer from leaf burn if exposed to too much direct sunlight.
To protect Begonias, plant them in shaded garden spots or provide partial shade using garden structures like pergolas. Indoors, place them near east-facing windows where morning light is gentle.
Remember to water regularly, as Begonias appreciate consistent moisture. By ensuring they receive the right light conditions, you can enjoy their vibrant colors and lush growth, turning any garden or indoor space into a floral delight.
Impatiens
Impatiens are popular for their vibrant, long-lasting blooms and ease of care. These shade-loving plants thrive in cool, moist environments and quickly wilt under direct sunlight.
When planted in gardens, opt for shaded areas or use larger plants to provide natural cover. Indoors, place Impatiens in locations with filtered light to prevent leaf scorch.
Consistent watering is essential to keep them healthy and blooming. With the right conditions, Impatiens can provide a burst of color, enhancing any garden or indoor space without the stress of excessive sun exposure.
Hostas
Hostas are renowned for their lush, broad leaves and are a staple in many shade gardens. These plants prefer cool, shaded environments, as too much sun can cause leaf edges to brown and wither.
To protect Hostas, plant them in areas with partial to full shade, especially in the afternoon when the sun is strongest. Regular watering and mulch can help maintain soil moisture, further supporting their growth.
By providing the right conditions, Hostas can thrive, adding texture and greenery to garden beds without the risk of sun damage.
Snake Plant
Snake Plants, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, are hardy and low-maintenance, making them ideal indoor companions. They prefer indirect light, as direct sun can scorch their tall, upright leaves.
If you notice browning on the leaf edges, consider moving the plant to a shadier spot. Snake Plants are also known for their air-purifying qualities, making them a healthy addition to your home.
To care for them, water sparingly, as they thrive in drier conditions. With proper placement and care, Snake Plants can grow beautifully, enhancing your indoor spaces with their architectural appeal.
Philodendron
Philodendrons are popular houseplants known for their lush, heart-shaped leaves. These tropical plants thrive in low-light conditions and can suffer from leaf burn if exposed to direct sunlight.
To keep your Philodendron healthy, place it in a spot with filtered or indirect light. These plants also enjoy higher humidity, so consider misting them regularly or placing a humidifier nearby.
With the right care, Philodendrons can grow vigorously, adding a touch of the tropics to your home without the need for intense sunlight.
Maidenhair Fern
Maidenhair Ferns are admired for their delicate, fan-shaped fronds and elegant appearance. They thrive in shaded, humid environments similar to their natural forest habitats.
Direct sunlight can scorch their fragile fronds, causing them to dry out and wilt. To nurture a Maidenhair Fern indoors, place it in a shaded spot with indirect light and maintain a high humidity level.
Regular misting or using a pebble tray can help achieve this. With the right conditions, these ferns can thrive, bringing a sense of tranquility and natural beauty to your indoor spaces.
Chinese Evergreen
Chinese Evergreens are resilient houseplants, favored for their attractive, variegated leaves. These plants thrive in low-light environments and can suffer from leaf scorch if exposed to direct sunlight.
To keep a Chinese Evergreen healthy, position it in a spot with indirect or filtered light. They’re also tolerant of a range of humidity levels but prefer a consistent watering schedule.
By providing these conditions, Chinese Evergreens can flourish, adding a touch of lushness and color to your home without the need for excessive sunlight exposure.
Anthurium
Anthuriums are prized for their glossy leaves and striking red flowers. Naturally growing under the forest canopy, they prefer indirect sunlight to avoid leaf burn.
If placed in direct sun, their leaves can scorch, losing their vibrant luster. To help Anthuriums thrive, place them in a spot with filtered light and maintain a warm, humid environment.
Regular misting and a balanced watering schedule can further support their growth. With these conditions, Anthuriums can continue to bloom beautifully, bringing exotic elegance into your living space without the risk of sun damage.
Spider Plant
Spider Plants are popular for their air-purifying properties and attractive, arching leaves. They thrive best in bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can cause leaf tips to brown.
To prevent this, place Spider Plants away from harsh sunlit windows. They’re also easy to care for, requiring only occasional watering and fertilization.
With the right lighting conditions, Spider Plants can grow vigorously, producing offshoots that dangle gracefully. This makes them perfect for hanging baskets, adding a touch of green to your home without the worry of excessive sun exposure.
Prayer Plant
Prayer Plants, known for their uniquely patterned foliage, thrive in low-light conditions. Their leaves fold up at night, resembling hands in prayer, adding a fascinating touch to your home decor.
Direct sunlight can cause the colors to fade and leaf edges to crisp, so it’s best to keep them in filtered light. Regular watering and a humid environment will keep them thriving.
By mimicking their natural habitat, you can enjoy the vibrant beauty of Prayer Plants, ensuring they remain a captivating feature in your indoor space without suffering from sun damage.
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding Heart
The Bleeding Heart is admired for its unique, heart-shaped flowers that dangle delicately from arching stems. However, this plant wilts easily under intense sunlight.
It thrives in cool, shaded areas where it can maintain its vibrant blossoms. Protect it by planting in a location that shelters it from the midday sun.
When cared for correctly, the Bleeding Heart will reward you with a charming display of flowers each spring.
ZZ Plant
© Pigment
ZZ Plants are known for their ability to thrive in low-light environments, making them perfect for offices and homes with less natural light. Direct sunlight can scorch their glossy leaves, causing discoloration.
To keep a ZZ Plant healthy, place it in a dimly lit spot, away from direct sun exposure. They require minimal watering, which makes them perfect for busy individuals.
With their sleek, architectural appearance, ZZ Plants can enhance any indoor space, providing a touch of greenery without needing constant care and sunlight.
Aspidistra
Aspidistras, commonly known as the Cast Iron Plant, are celebrated for their resilience and low maintenance needs. They thrive in shady conditions, where direct sunlight is minimal.
Exposure to harsh sunlight can cause leaf bleaching and browning. Perfect for those who are new to gardening, Aspidistras require little attention and can handle neglect.
To ensure their longevity, position them in shaded spots, whether indoors or in the garden. With little more than occasional watering, these plants can thrive, bringing a touch of verdant elegance to any setting without the need for bright light.
Dracaena
Dracaenas are popular for their dramatic foliage and air-purifying qualities. These plants prefer indirect light and can suffer from leaf scorching if exposed to direct sun.
To protect Dracaenas, place them in locations with filtered light and avoid sunny windowsills. They are relatively low-maintenance, requiring only moderate watering.
By providing the right environment, Dracaenas can flourish, adding striking greenery to your home or office. Their distinctive appearance and ease of care make them a favorite choice for those looking to enhance interior spaces without the challenge of managing intense sunlight.
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachias, or Dumb Canes, are popular houseplants known for their large, variegated leaves. They thrive in low-light environments and can suffer leaf burn if exposed to direct sunlight.
To protect your Dieffenbachia, place it in a shaded spot indoors where it can receive indirect light. It’s also important to maintain a consistent watering schedule, avoiding overwatering.
With the right care, Dieffenbachias can grow lush and full, adding a touch of tropical elegance to your home without the risk of sun damage.
Boston Fern
Boston Ferns are known for their arching fronds and lush, green foliage. These plants thrive in shaded environments with high humidity and indirect light.
Direct sunlight can cause their fronds to dry and brown. To keep Boston Ferns healthy, place them in shaded areas indoors or on a cool porch.
Regular watering and misting can help maintain the humidity they love. With the right conditions, Boston Ferns can add a touch of natural beauty to your home, creating a lush, green ambiance without the need for direct sunlight.
Aglaonema
Aglaonemas are popular for their colorful, variegated foliage and are a favorite choice for low-light indoor environments. These resilient plants do best in indirect light, as direct sun can cause their leaves to scorch and fade.
For optimal growth, place Aglaonemas in a spot with filtered light and maintain a regular watering schedule. They are incredibly easy to care for and can handle a range of indoor conditions.
With their striking appearance, Aglaonemas can enhance your home decor, providing vibrant greenery without the need for bright sunlight.
Pothos
Pothos, known for their vining growth and heart-shaped leaves, are a staple in many homes. These adaptable plants thrive in low to moderate light and suffer if exposed to too much direct sunlight, which can bleach their leaves.
To keep Pothos healthy, place them in a spot with indirect light and water them regularly, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Their easy-care nature and ability to purify air make Pothos a popular choice for indoor spaces, adding a touch of greenery and charm without the demands of continuous sunlight.
Peperomia
Peperomias are small, charming plants known for their diverse leaf shapes and textures. These plants thrive in low-light conditions and can suffer leaf damage from direct sunlight.
To protect Peperomias, provide a spot with indirect light and ensure they are watered sparingly. Their compact size and low maintenance needs make them ideal for small spaces and busy individuals.
With the right care, Peperomias can enhance your indoor environment, offering a variety of shapes and colors without requiring excessive attention or sunlight.