Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess the amount of light the plant receives daily.
- Rotate the pot to ensure even growth.
- Check if nearby plants are shading it.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The grass blades become long, thin, and pale. The plant loses its dense, clumping habit and leans toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a brighter location with more indirect light. If you are growing it indoors, a south or west facing window is usually best.
Crowding
PossibleHow to tell: The grass is growing tall and thin because it is competing with other plants for light. The base of the clump looks sparse.
What to do: Thin out the clump or move the plant to a spot with more room. Ensure it has enough space to receive light on all sides.
Find out what's wrong with your wavy hair-grass
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 not fatal, but it makes the plant look weak. It is normal for the plant to grow slightly taller in lower light, but it should not be floppy.
Stopping it coming back
Provide bright, indirect light and rotate the pot every few weeks to encourage even, compact growth.
Wavy hair-grass: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wavy hair-grass 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, you can trim the grass back to encourage fresh, dense growth. It will bounce back quickly with the right light.
- How much light is too much?
- Wavy hair-grass enjoys bright light, but avoid harsh, direct midday sun if it causes the leaves to bleach or burn.
More problems with Wavy hair-grass
Back to the Wavy hair-grass 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.