Can I stake my leggy Coreopsis?

You can use small garden stakes or hoops to support them, but it is better to address the light issue. Staking is a temporary fix for a plant that really wants more sun.

Should I cut back leggy stems?

Yes, trimming back the stems by one third will encourage the plant to branch out and grow more compactly. Do this in early summer to ensure you still get a late season bloom.

Large flowered tickseed: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Measure the hours of direct sunlight your plant receives.
Check for nearby trees or structures casting shade.
Inspect the stems for signs of weak or soft growth.

Likely causes

Insufficient Sunlight
Most likely
How to tell: The stems grow long, thin, and weak as they reach toward the nearest light source. The plant will also produce fewer flowers than usual.
What to do: Move your plant to a location that receives full sun for most of the day. If it is already planted, you may need to prune back the long stems to encourage bushier growth once it has better light.
Excessive Nitrogen
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, but using a fertilizer too high in nitrogen causes rapid, soft growth that cannot support itself. The foliage looks lush and green but the stems are flimsy.
What to do: Stop fertilizing immediately and switch to a balanced, slow release fertilizer if needed. Avoid adding extra compost or nitrogen rich amendments to the soil around your tickseed.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your large flowered tickseed

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.

When to worry

It is time to worry if the plant is falling over completely or failing to bloom. Some minor stretching is normal during very cloudy, rainy weeks.

Stopping it coming back

Plant your tickseed in a location that gets full sun all day long. Deadhead spent blooms to keep the plant focused on structure rather than seed production.

Large flowered tickseed: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your large flowered tickseed 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I stake my leggy Coreopsis?: You can use small garden stakes or hoops to support them, but it is better to address the light issue. Staking is a temporary fix for a plant that really wants more sun.
Should I cut back leggy stems?: Yes, trimming back the stems by one third will encourage the plant to branch out and grow more compactly. Do this in early summer to ensure you still get a late season bloom.

Why is my Coreopsis grandiflora looking leggy?