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. Port Charlotte Florist 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 Insufficient Light Your Plants Reveal to You

Leggy

Tall and thin stems that are stretched out in an effort to reach more light is a sign your plant is not getting enough sunlight. Another symptom is large spaces between adjacent leaves which contribute to its “leggy “and scarce look.

Smaller Leaves

When there is insufficient light, a plant will grow smaller leaves in an effort to conserve its reduced energy. Compare new growth to old growth to see if there is a marked difference in leaf size and move to a better lit area if so.

Leaning

A lopsided or leaning plant has turned all of its leaves and stems to the one source of lighting its receiving, and such a drastic move means the plant is not receiving enough light.  To prevent this, make sure your plant is getting plenty of light and give it a quarter turn at least once a week to ensure all of the leaves get plenty of light.

Abnormal Leaf Color

If your plant shows signs of pale, yellowing leaves that drop off, then it needs better lighting. With variegated plant leaves, if they have lost their coloring and reverted to just green, it is another sign of insufficient sunlight.

Slowed Growth

When a plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it will conserve energy by slowing down its growth, or if it’s really light-starved, shutting down new growth altogether. During the winter months it’s natural for plant growth to slow down, but if you’re not seeing any noticeable growth during the spring and summer, then place it in brighter location.

Getting the Light Right

There are many factors involved in trying to find the best lighting for your plant. For example, the species of plant, it’s size, and the amount of sunlight coming into your home all need to be taken into account. It may take some trial and error but recognizing any of the above signs in your plants will help you get closer to figuring it out.

There is such a thing as too much light for plant, though, so only place sun-loving plants like palms, succulents, and cacti in full direct light for most of the day.

Otherwise, moving the plants around to different widows, elevating them, or getting a grow light will keep your plant babies happy and healthy.