Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how many hours of direct sun the plant gets.
- Check if nearby plants are shading it.
- Look for signs of wind damage or leaning.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long, thin, and have large gaps between the leaves.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with full, direct sun. If it is in a shaded area, it will continue to stretch.
Excessive nitrogen
PossibleHow to tell: The plant grows very fast but the stems are weak and floppy.
What to do: Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers. Let the plant grow naturally in its native soil.
Find out what's wrong with your common ragweed
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.
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When to worry
Legginess is mostly an aesthetic issue. It is only a problem if the stems become so weak they cannot support the plant.
Stopping it coming back
Plant in an open area that receives full sun for the entire day.
Common ragweed: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common ragweed 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
- Can I prune it to make it bushier?
- Yes, pinching back the top growth can encourage the plant to branch out. Do this early in the season.
- Does shade make it grow better?
- No, common ragweed thrives in full sun. Shade will always result in a weaker, leggier plant.
More problems with Common ragweed
- Why is my common ragweed drooping?
- Why does my common ragweed have spots on its leaves?
- Why are my common ragweed leaves turning yellow?
- Why are the tips of my ragweed leaves turning brown?
- Why is my ragweed dropping its leaves?
- Why does my common ragweed have bugs?
- Is my common ragweed suffering from root rot?
- Why are my ragweed leaves curling?
Back to the Common ragweed 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.