Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe if the plant is leaning toward a window.
- Measure the distance between the leaves on the stems.
- Evaluate if the current spot provides bright, indirect light.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant will also lean heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move your plant to a brighter location with more indirect light or some direct sun. If the plant is already very tall, you can prune the stems back to encourage bushier growth.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: This is less common for this plant, but usually happens when the plant grows naturally without any shaping. The branches become long and sparse over time.
What to do: Prune the tips of the branches regularly during the growing season. This forces the plant to branch out and creates a fuller, more compact shape.
Find out what's wrong with your mirror bush
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 a disease, so it is not a reason to worry about the plant's health. It is simply a sign that the plant wants a better environment to look its best.
Stopping it coming back
Provide plenty of bright light and prune the tips of the stems occasionally to keep the plant dense and tidy.
Mirror Bush: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mirror bush 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 the stems fill back in if I move it?
- The existing bare stems will not grow new leaves, but moving it to better light will ensure new growth is compact. You can prune the long stems to encourage new, fuller growth.
- Does this plant flower?
- Mirror Bush does produce small, inconspicuous flowers, but they are not the main reason people grow it. It needs bright, consistent light to bloom, though it is rarely seen indoors.
More problems with Mirror Bush
- Why are there bumps on my Mirror Bush leaves?
- Why are my Mirror Bush leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Mirror Bush losing its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my Mirror Bush leaves?
- Why does my Mirror Bush look wilted and sad?
- Why are my Mirror Bush leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my Mirror Bush drooping?
- Why are my Mirror Bush leaves curling?
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.