Will my plant grow back if I cut the top off?

Yes, pruning the top will trigger the plant to grow new branches from the nodes below the cut. It is the best way to make a leggy plant look full again.

Does this plant ever bloom?

The Song of India rarely flowers indoors. It needs very specific, high-light conditions to bloom, so do not worry if yours stays strictly foliage.

Song of India: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Assess how many hours of bright light the plant gets daily.
Check if the plant is leaning heavily toward a window.
Look at the distance between the leaf nodes on the stem.

Likely causes

Insufficient Light
Most likely
How to tell: The stems grow long with large gaps between the leaves. The plant will lean toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant closer to a window that gets bright, filtered light. Rotate the pot every week so all sides get equal exposure.
Lack of Pruning
Possible
How to tell: It is less common for this plant, but leggy growth is often just the natural habit of an older plant that has never been shaped. The plant grows tall and loses its bushy appearance over time.
What to do: Prune the top stems in the spring to encourage the plant to branch out. Use sharp shears to cut just above a leaf node.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your song of india

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

Legginess is rarely a sign of a dying plant, but rather a sign that it needs more light. It is a normal growth habit for older plants in lower light conditions.

Stopping it coming back

Place the plant in a bright spot and prune it lightly once a year to maintain a compact shape.

Song of India: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your song of india 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

Will my plant grow back if I cut the top off?: Yes, pruning the top will trigger the plant to grow new branches from the nodes below the cut. It is the best way to make a leggy plant look full again.
Does this plant ever bloom?: The Song of India rarely flowers indoors. It needs very specific, high-light conditions to bloom, so do not worry if yours stays strictly foliage.

Why is my Song of India growing so tall and thin?