Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess how many hours of direct or bright light the plant receives.
- Observe if the plant is leaning toward a window.
- Check for large gaps between the leaf nodes on the stem.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and weak with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a brighter location with full sun or bright indirect light. Rotate the pot every few days to encourage even growth.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall and sparse with few side branches. It looks top heavy and starts to flop over.
What to do: Pinch back the growing tips of the stems to encourage bushier growth. Do this in the spring to keep the plant compact and sturdy.
Find out what's wrong with your common agrimony
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
Legginess is rarely fatal but makes the plant look untidy and weak. It is normal for the plant to grow tall as it matures, but it should not look thin or sparse.
Stopping it coming back
Provide plenty of bright light and pinch back stems in the spring. This keeps the plant full and prevents it from stretching out.
Common agrimony: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common agrimony and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will my plant grow back if I cut it?
- Yes, pruning actually helps the plant grow back fuller and stronger. It will produce new side shoots from the nodes below the cut.
- How much light does agrimony need?
- It thrives in full sun to partial shade. If it is indoors, place it in a bright window where it gets several hours of light.
More problems with Common agrimony
- Why are there white spots on my Common agrimony?
- Why is my Common agrimony drooping?
- Why is my Agrimonia eupatoria rotting at the base?
- Why is my Common agrimony not flowering?
- Why are my Agrimonia eupatoria leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Agrimonia eupatoria leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my Agrimonia eupatoria dropping its leaves?
- What are these bugs on my Agrimonia eupatoria?
- Why are my Agrimonia eupatoria leaves curling?
Back to the Common agrimony guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.