Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess the current light levels in your room.
- Move the plant closer to a window.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward the light source.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stem is stretching out with large gaps between the leaves.
What to do: Move the plant to a brighter location, such as near a window that gets plenty of indirect light. If necessary, rotate the pot weekly to ensure even growth.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall and sparse but otherwise healthy.
What to do: You can prune the top of the stem to encourage branching. Use a sharp, sterile blade and cut just above a leaf node.
Find out what's wrong with your cabbage tree
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for a Cabbage Tree to lose lower leaves and become more tree like as it matures. Only worry if the new growth at the top is weak and spindly.
Stopping it coming back
Provide consistent, bright light and rotate the plant regularly to keep the stem straight and full.
Cabbage tree: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your cabbage tree 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 make my plant bushier?
- Yes, pruning the top will force the plant to produce new shoots. This is a great way to manage height and fullness.
- Is it okay to keep it in a dark corner?
- No, Cabbage Trees need bright light to thrive. A dark corner will almost always lead to leggy, weak growth.
More problems with Cabbage tree
- Why are my Cabbage Tree's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why are my Cabbage Tree's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Cordyline australis losing its lower leaves?
- Why are there brown spots on my Cabbage tree leaves?
- How do I get rid of scale on my Cordyline australis?
- Why is my Cordyline australis drooping?
- Why does my Cordyline australis have root rot?
- Why are my Cordyline australis leaves curling?
Back to the Cabbage tree 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.