My Magnolia Bush Has Brown Leaves From Sun Exposure

Sunlight can damage magnolia bushes.

Although magnolia bushes grow best in full sun, sunlight does have the potential to damage the shrub and turn its leaves brown. Caring for magnolia bushes helps them recover from sun scald.

Sun Scald

Sun scald occurs when a magnolia bush is exposed to direct sunlight without enough water to keep the leaves healthy. Sun scald happens both in winter and spring or summer, whenever the environment is too dry.

Pruning

Removing the leaves that have been worst affected by sun scald helps promote new growth. Pruning the bush encourages new branches and leaves to emerge, allowing the plant to continue photosynthesizing and growing.

Water

Watering the magnolia bush is essential to helping it recover from sun scald. Watering the plant at least once a week or more often to keep the top 1 to 2 inches of soil moist helps a magnolia bush recover from sun damage.

References

• United States National Arboretum; Magnolia Questions and Answers; Nov. 4, 2003
• University of Connecticut: Magnolia Stellata

Resources

• National Gardening Association: USDA Hardiness Zone Finder