Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how many hours of bright light the plant gets.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a window.
- Look for new growth at the tips of the stems.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long with large gaps between the leaves.
What to do: Move the plant to a brighter location, such as a spot near a south or east facing window. If natural light is low, consider a grow light for 8 to 10 hours a day.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is healthy but has grown very tall and top heavy.
What to do: Pinch back the growing tips of the stems to encourage side branching. This makes the plant look fuller and bushier.
When to worry
Legginess is rarely a sign of disease, just a sign that the plant wants more light. It is normal for older plants to lose some lower leaves as they age.
Stopping it coming back
Rotate your pot every week so all sides get equal light and prune the tips regularly.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your mexican mint.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I cut back the long stems?
- Absolutely. Cutting the stems back will encourage the plant to grow new branches lower down.
- Will the stems grow leaves back where they fell off?
- Usually not. It is better to prune the stem back to a node to stimulate new, healthy growth.
More problems with Mexican mint
Back to the Mexican mint guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.