Why are my seedlings leggy? Experts reveal the most common cause — and 3 ways to avoid spindly young plants

Seedlings including coriander growing in plastic pots in tray.

There’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing your seeds sprout after days, even weeks, of waiting. But once they’re out in the world, one question often crops up: Why are my seedlings legging?

Whether you’re growing vegetables in a small garden from scratch for the first time or you’re a seasoned gardener, we’ve all wondered why our seedlings are long and spindly at some point. It doesn't matter whether you're growing sunflowers, tomatoes, or any plant between — seedlings can become leggy if conditions aren’t right.