Gardeners issued crucial warning over 10 plants that easily scorch in the heat
Be careful to avoid placing these shade-loving plants directly in the sun this spring - otherwise you risk destroying their leaves and stunting their future growth
Not all plants like it hot – some species hate receiving too much sunlight as it can burn their leaves and cause them to wilt. Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to prevent this.
While sun exposure is needed for photosynthesis, some plants have evolved to prefer the shade. This is because they are able to absorb red light more efficiently from the end of the spectrum. They typically have broad, flat leaves to maximise the surface area that light hits. They also tend to prefer the cool, damp environments that shade allows for.
With the British weather allowing, mostly, for varied cooler conditions, recent Met Office forecasts predict an uptick in temperatures this week, which means gardeners may need to move or rotate these plants at home.
There are many benefits to having shade-loving plants in your home. For example, they're ideal if you own a garden or balcony that doesn't catch much sunlight.
Likewise, they can also be placed in indoor spaces that don't receive much sunlight. Which means they aren't resigned to having to sit on a windowsill.
However, the one downside is that they can be damaged easily if they accidentally receive too much sun. The most common example of this is leaf scorching.
Leaf scorch happens when plants lose water too quickly – such as during periods of hot, dry weather. This causes the leaf tissue to yellow and brown, before eventually wilting.
While this is unlikely to kill a plant outright, it can cause irreparable damage to its overall health and appearance. This is because burnt plants can't recover their original colour or structure.
Of course, this is frustrating for gardeners who spend months cultivating their plants. A a period of sunny weather can completely destroy their leaves, ruining their hard work.
The problem is, many people grow plant species without fully researching their needs. Particularly as we come into summer, it's crucial to determine whether your plant prefers dimmer conditions.
Popular plants like Chinese evergreens, peace lilies and Devils Ivy all prefer cool, dark conditions. A great way to protect them is to make sure you plant them in places that receive partial sunlight.
There are many well-loved garden plants that don't do well in direct sunlight. According to the experts at OxyPlant, here are 10 plants that thrive in the shade:
10 plants that prefer shade
Boston fern
Cast iron plant
Kentia palm
Janet Craig
Heartleaf philodendron
Spider plant
Devils Ivy
Rubber plant
Peace lily
Chinese evergreen
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