Just like us, plants need food and water to survive. For plants, light is their food and is what allows them to feed and nourish their stems, leaves, and blossoms. If their food supply is inadequate, instead of looking lush and healthy, plants will begin looking thin and pale. Spot the signs before it’s too late. Atlanta’s top florist, Carither’s Flowers, wants to make sure your plants remain happy and robust, so read below for signs to watch for that indicate your plant needs more light.
Signs of Too Little Sunlight Your Plants Show You
Leggy
A term that applies to skinny, sparse stems, if a plant is leggy, it is not getting enough light. Another clue to look for is the space between adjacent leaves, which is called the internode. Healthy, flourishing plants look lush because they have small internodes. Plants with large internodes are light-starved.

Smaller Leaves
Small leaves on a plant that typically should have larger leaves could be an indication of inadequate light. Plenty of light is what gives a plant plenty of energy to grow big and lush, without it, the plant will grow smaller leaves due to a scarcity of energy.
Leaning
A leaning plant is one that desperately craves sunlight so much so its entire form has shifted towards the light source. This causes the plant to look one-sided or lopsided. Prevent this look by moving the plant closer to the light source and turn it at least once a week so all sides get plenty of sun.

Abnormal Leaf Color
Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and is essential to the photosynthesis process of transforming light into food for the plant. When there is not enough light, chlorophyll cannot do its job well. The result is pale green or yellow leaves.
Slowed Growth
Plant growth should be pronounced on healthy and thriving plants that receive plenty of sunlight. If you are not witnessing significant growth or any growth at all, then your plant is probably not getting sufficient light.
Getting the Light Right
Moving your plant to the sunniest place in your home may not be the proper solution. Plants can actually get too much light and end up with scorched, dying leaves. Only sun-loving plants such as cacti, palms, and succulents should be in direct sunlight for most of the day. For other plants, medium light or indirect bright light is adequate. An example of this type of light is a well-lit room with dappled light or sunlight diffused by a sheer curtain.

Just remember the more distant your plant is from a light source, the less powerful the light. So you may admire how your corn plant looks in the far corner of your room, but if bright light doesn’t it, the plant will suffer. Sometimes is not feasible to have a plant in a spot that gets enough light, in which case you should invest in a grow light that mimics natural light and allows you to grow plants in any lighting condition.
Finding the correct amount of light for your plants takes time and patience, but as long as you listen to what your plant is telling you, eventually, you will find the sweet spot.