Plants get energy primarily from sunlight through photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll in plant leaves captures light energy to drive a chemical reaction that uses carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to produce glucose (a chemical energy source) and oxygen. The glucose is then used by the plant for growth and metabolic processes, either directly for energy or after conversion via respiration to ATP, which powers cellular activities. In short: sunlight provides the energy, and photosynthesis creates the chemical energy (glucose) that fuels a plant’s life and growth.