Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
- Check if the new growth is thinner than the base.
- Evaluate how many hours of direct sun it gets daily.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The new growth is pale, thin, and stretched compared to the rest of the plant. The cactus is leaning toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move the cactus to a brighter location, ideally a south facing window. It needs full, direct sun to maintain a compact shape.
Seasonal Changes
PossibleHow to tell: The plant grew thin during the winter months when days were short. The growth is uneven.
What to do: Provide a grow light during the winter if you cannot offer enough natural sun. Unfortunately, the stretched part will not return to its original shape.
Find out what's wrong with your cactus
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
It is not a disease, but it is a sign the plant is unhappy. The stretched growth is permanent and will not thicken up later.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your cactus gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Rotate the pot occasionally to keep growth even.
Cactus: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cactus 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Can I cut off the thin part?
- Yes, you can prune the stretched growth if you want, but it will leave a scar. Make sure to use a clean, sharp knife.
- Will it grow back to normal if I move it?
- The plant will grow normally from the point you move it into better light, but the thin section will remain thin forever.
More problems with Cactus
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.