Green to Red - Changing leaf colour

[awarrumbungle]

We have some hanging plants. They are usually a small round green fleshy leaf that overflows from the hanging basket. They appear to like some sun and a lot of water.

However, we recently moved them into a sunnier position. A lot ofdirect sunlight in the afternoon only. We water them just as much yet the leaves at the end of the hanging part are turning red. Also below the existing green leaves new red leaves are sprouting. This is not happening with the same plant in a shadier position. Why is this? What has red got to do with sun?

[Navin]

Just to add on to this phenomenon, i have a plant which has purple-green leaves in a shady spot, but when i put it directly under the sun, its leaves just turn completely deep purple. It certainly is a beautiful sight but one cant help wondering why this happens.

[kiekyon]

that is because some plants produce a red pigment called anthocyanin when exposed to excessive sunlight.

as red leaf reflect more sunlight than green leaf, the leaf are protected