As gardeners, we work hard to give pepper plants the sunlight and nutrients they need to thrive. However, too much direct sun, especially during extreme heat, can lead to sunscald, a common issue that damages pepper leaves and fruit.
Sunscald affects peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers alike, and it’s often misdiagnosed as disease or pest damage. Below, we’ll explain what sunscald is, how to identify it, and the best ways to prevent and manage it so your plants stay healthy and productive.
What is Sunscald?
Sunscald is a common condition that occurs when pepper leaves or fruit are exposed to excessive direct sunlight, resulting in tissue damage. While peppers need sunlight to thrive, too much intense sun, especially on tender leaves and developing fruit, can cause serious harm.
Sunscald is most common during the hot summer months, when sunlight is strongest. It can affect pepper plants of all varieties, but it is especially prevalent in plants with sparse foliage, those that have been recently pruned, or peppers that have been transplanted from indoors to outdoors and are still acclimating to direct sunlight.
How to Identify Sunscald on Peppers
Identifying sunscald early is important so you can take action and prevent further damage. Sunscald is often mistaken for disease, nutrient deficiency, or pest damage, so knowing the specific symptoms helps you diagnose the issue correctly.
Look for the following common signs of sunscald on pepper plants:
-
Discoloration: Affected areas may appear pale, bleached, or white, standing out from the healthy green foliage. Similar discoloration can also develop in localized spots on the surface of the pepper fruit.
-
Dry Patches: Sun scalded tissue often becomes dry, brittle, and papery to the touch, similar to sunburned skin.
-
Scorch Marks: Leaves or fruit may develop visible scorch marks or brown, burned-looking patches where sunlight exposure is most intense.
-
Softened Tissue: In more severe cases, damaged areas can become soft or mushy, indicating advanced sunscald and tissue breakdown.
Ways to Fix Sunscald Damage
Unfortunately, sunscald damage is irreversible. Once plant tissue has been burned by intense sunlight, it cannot recover. However, there are several steps you can take to limit further damage, reduce plant stress, and support healthy new growth.
1. Provide Shade
Protect affected pepper plants from direct sunlight by using shade cloth, umbrellas, or temporary shade structures, especially during the hottest part of the day. While existing sunscald will not heal, added shade helps prevent additional leaves and fruit from becoming damaged and reduces overall stress on the plant.
2. Prune Wisely
Inspect your pepper plants and remove severely damaged or dead leaves to improve airflow and allow the plant to focus energy on healthy growth. Avoid heavy pruning, as removing too much foliage can further expose fruit and stems to sunlight.
Keep in mind that pruning redirects energy toward new vegetative growth, which may temporarily slow fruit development. Prune conservatively and only where damage is significant. Check out our blog on Pruning to learn more!
3. Support Recovery with Proper Water and Nutrients
Pepper plants are more susceptible to sunscald when they are stressed by inconsistent watering or nutrient deficiencies. Maintain even soil moisture to help regulate plant temperature and reduce stress without overwatering.
To support recovery, apply a balanced organic fertilizer appropriate for your plant’s growth stage.
Matching nutrients to the plant’s growth stage helps strengthen plants and improves their ability to tolerate heat and sun exposure.
4. Patience
Lastly, be patient as your pepper plants recover. Fixing sunscald is not an overnight process. While damaged leaves and fruit will not heal, healthy new growth will continue to develop as long as the plant’s growing conditions improve.
With consistent care, adequate water, and protection from intense sunlight, pepper plants can outgrow sunscald damage and continue producing healthy foliage and fruit throughout the season.
How to Prevent Sunscald Damage to Peppers
Preventing sunscald on pepper plants is far easier than trying to manage it after damage occurs. By planning ahead and creating a balanced growing environment, you can protect your plants from excessive sun exposure and promote healthier growth throughout the season.
1. Choose the Right Plant Placement
Start by selecting a planting location that offers full sun in the morning and partial shade during the hottest part of the afternoon. When designing your garden layout, consider positioning taller plants or structures on the western side of your pepper plants. This provides natural afternoon shade and reduces direct sun exposure when temperatures peak.
Companion planting is especially helpful here, as neighboring plants can provide shade while offering additional benefits like pest control and soil improvement.
2. Encourage Healthy Foliage Growth
Dense, healthy foliage acts as a natural sunscreen for pepper plants. Encourage strong canopy growth by:
-
-
Spacing plants properly to allow them to fill out
-
Avoiding excessive pruning during hot weather
-
Selecting varieties known for larger leaves and fuller growth
-
Bell peppers, for example, naturally produce large leaves that help protect developing fruit, whereas ornamental peppers often have smaller leaves and are more prone to sunscald.
3. Use Mulch to Regulate Soil Temperature
Applying a layer of organic mulch around the base of your pepper plants helps:
-
-
Retain soil moisture
-
Regulate soil temperature
-
Reduce heat stress during prolonged sun exposure
-
Mulch slows evaporation caused by direct sunlight and keeps roots cooler. You can also use ground-covering companion plants, such as thyme or rosemary, to provide similar benefits naturally.
4. Maintain Consistent Water and Nutrient Levels
Well-hydrated, well-fed pepper plants are far more resilient to heat stress and sunscald. Water deeply and consistently, allowing the soil to remain evenly moist without becoming waterlogged. Avoid large swings in soil moisture, which can weaken plants and increase susceptibility to damage.
Additionally, supplying nutrients early, whether sowing pepper seeds or transplanting seedlings, encourages strong growth and leaf development that helps shield fruit later in the season.
5. Protect Plants with Shade Covers When Needed
For young, recently transplanted, or heat-sensitive plants, temporary protection can make a big difference. Use shade cloth, row covers, or lightweight garden fabric during extreme heat until plants develop enough foliage to protect themselves naturally.
Monitor your plants regularly and adjust coverings as they mature to ensure they continue receiving adequate sunlight without stress.
Sunscald can be frustrating, but with the right care and preparation, it’s completely preventable. Explore our selection of pepper seeds, live pepper plants, and growing supplies to give your plants the protection and support they need for a healthy, productive season.