Light burn is plant damage caused by excessive light intensity, resulting in stressed growth, discoloration, or leaf damage.
WHAT IS LIGHT BURN?
Light burn occurs when plants receive more light energy than they can process through photosynthesis. This often happens when grow lights are too close, too intense, or improperly adjusted for the plant’s growth stage.
It is most common in indoor grows using powerful LED lights.
HOW LIGHT BURN AFFECTS CANNABIS GROWS
Growers identify light burn by:
– Bleached or faded leaf tops
– Yellowing on upper leaves while lower growth looks healthy
– Leaves curling upward near the light source
– Stalled growth despite proper feeding
Symptoms usually appear closest to the light.
WHY IT MATTERS
Light burn:
– Reduces photosynthesis efficiency
– Causes unnecessary plant stress
– Can permanently damage leaf tissue
– Limits growth and yield if left unchecked
Autoflowers are especially sensitive due to their shorter life cycle.
LIMITATIONS & NOTES
Light burn is often confused with nutrient deficiencies or heat stress. Proper light height, dimming, and PPFD measurement are more reliable solutions than guessing based on wattage alone.