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Getting it right with indoor plant lighting is a real challenge. There are tons of variables that can affect whether a plant grows healthy and strong, or sickly and small.

Many times I’ve thought a plant needed more water when really it just needed more sunlight.

So, how do you avoid making this same mistake? Just know exactly what to look for.

Signs your indoor plant isn’t getting enough sun

Look at the condition of the plant’s leaves. Keep in mind if you’re not meeting all the other needs the plant has, other factors could be affecting the leaves.

If you’re giving plants proper water and fertilizer (not too much or too little), you should be able to isolate the problem.

The plant is most likely not getting enough light if all other needs are met but its leaves are still yellow. Longer (and skinnier) stem growth, as well as fewer leaves or flowers, is also most likely because of a lack of sunlight.

Light is what allows your plant to create food through photosynthesis. So, if you just think about how no food would affect a human, it makes sense that your plants would also look weaker (the weakening of the plant is referred to as “etiolation”) and you would see less growth.

You’ll also be able to tell because most times they’ll be so desperate for light, they’ll naturally grow towards the direction of whatever sunlight they can find (like maybe a window).

Signs your indoor plant is getting too much sun

On the other hand, if you give your plant too much light, you can also risk killing them.

Obvious things to look for are scorched tips and burned sections of the plant. Wilting and yellowing of the leaves are also signs if all other needs of the plant are being met. 

So basically, know your plant

The best way to make sure your plant gets the right amount of sun is to know exactly what your plant needs. Not all plants need the same amount of light—some need direct light (or full sun), medium light (or partial sun), and others do okay in low light (or shade-loving).

The best way to find the perfect spot for your plant to meet it’s needs is to consider the plant’s proximity to a window or main source of light.

If there is nothing obstructing the light (trees, fences, curtains, etc.), then the light is considered direct. The more obstructions you have, the less direct. You’ll also have to keep in mind the climate you live in, as well as seasons—these will impact how many hours a day of sunlight you get.

Also, know that most indoor plants are dormant during the winter months (so it’s expected that they won’t be growing a ton during this time).

If you really want to keep your plant healthy during the winter months, or times when light may be more limited, you can get yourself an artificial light source like the ones listed here: