Sunburn from direct sun
Pale, dry, bleached patches on the side facing a window are sunburn.
Diagnosis
Sunburn from direct sun
What's happening
Most Tillandsia grow in the filtered light of tree canopies and aren't built for harsh, direct sun through glass, which heats the leaves and scorches the tissue. The damage shows as dry, faded brown-to-bleached patches, usually worst on the surface nearest the window, and it can be made worse if the plant is dehydrated at the same time.
How to fix it
Move the plant back from the glass to bright, indirect light, or filter the window with a sheer curtain. Scorched patches won't turn green again, so trim the worst damage with clean scissors following the leaf's natural shape; new growth will come in healthy once it's out of the direct sun. Keep up regular soaks, since well-hydrated plants tolerate light far better.
What fixes it
- A full-spectrum LED grow light — If a hot window was the only light, a grow light gives even, gentle light without the scorching.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Air Plant care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this