Do plants burn if you water them in the sun?

Answer 1

"Outside watering can be accomplished any time of the day. It is more efficient to water at night because evaporation is less."


(as long as you are watering the base of the plant, and not putting water on the leaves.)

Answer 2

Absolutely. Especially on a hot, summers day. Imagine pouring hot or boiling water on the tender leaves of a plant, the damage would be the same.
Another reason is as you add water to the plant leaves, it's as if you put a magnifying glass, which you are letting the sun shine through, point directly to the plant's leaves and, what would happen then? the plant's leaves would burn.
Bottom line: only water your outside plants in the early morning or late afternoon shade to prevent this kind of damage.

Answer 3

It is PERFECTLY safe to put water on the leaves of a plant in the sun.

It is a myth that they will burn.

Yes, it is true that water can act as a magnifier, but NOT WHEN IT TOUCHING THE SURFACE.

I dont remember where i read this, but it is similar to using a magnifying glass on a piece of paper. If you lay the magnifying glass on the paper it will do nothing. The only way it will burn the paper is if you hold it a certain distance away from the paper.

This is because a certain amount of space is required for the rays to converge (called the focal point. when the lense is diectly on the paper there is no focal point as the rays have not converged.

The same is true for water.

Found the source, listed below. You'll note that both are from universities (which study things like this)

Answer 4

You stupid people need to understand how a magnifying glass works. I can tell you have never used a magnifying glass to burn anything. A bead of water on a leaf will not burn anything. A drop of water is flat next to the leaf and is rounded on the top. That will not burn anything. It glass has to be focused on the plant. All you people do is copy other peoples answers to make everyone think you smart but you are copying dumb stuff. Look up plano convex magnifying glasses. You all (except a few) seem to be little 10 year olds.

Answer 5

The leaves may scorch, the water acts like a tiny magnifying Glass.
Best to leave watering to first thing in the morning when the sun is not at it strongest, also the plants have all day to soak up the water and nutrient.

Answer 6

It depends on how hot is outside. The sun takes the water you used and steams it ,roots and all. and that's not good for your plants. Water an hour or two before the sun comes up. Or water after the sun goes down.

Answer 7

Yes they do burn if you water the foliage in direct sunlight the water droplets act like small magnifiers and scorch the plant, always water your plants out of direct sunlight or wait till the sun has gone down.

Answer 8

The reason a plant may burn (where they get brown leaves not connected to other diseases) when you water them in sunlight, is because the water evaporates too quickly and the leaves are more exposed. If they suck up water from the ground, plants can control their own moisture. It's always better to water at twilight.

Answer 9

As a gardener I can say that yes it can happen , but mostly to soft leaved plants. Best to water the base of the plants anyway not the leaves. Best to get water diretly to the base with a wide spray so as not to wash the soil from around the base of the plant

Answer 10

It depends what you mean by 'water'

If you pour the water on the soil the plants grow in, it is no problem. The water will then just reach the roots of the plants and they will absorp it.

However, if you also spray or put water on the leaves of the plants, the water will function just like a magnifying glass and have a burning effect on the leaves. (of course, they will not burn like fire, but they will suffer heat damage)

Answer 11

Why would they burn? Plants need sun and water.