Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how many hours of light the plant gets daily.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a window or sun source.
- Measure the distance between the leaf nodes on the stem.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with bright indirect light or partial sun. If indoors, place it closer to a window, but avoid harsh direct sun that could burn it.
Crowding
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall and thin because it is competing with other plants for light. It looks stretched out compared to others of its kind.
What to do: Thin out surrounding plants to give your willowherb more room. This ensures it gets light on all sides rather than just the top.
Find out what's wrong with your marsh willowherb
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 fatal, but it makes the plant prone to falling over. It is normal for the plant to grow tall, but it should still look sturdy and full.
Stopping it coming back
Provide consistent bright light and prune the tips occasionally to encourage bushier growth.
Marsh willowherb: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your marsh willowherb 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
- Should I cut back the long stems?
- Yes, trimming the tips will encourage the plant to branch out and become fuller. Just make sure to do this during the growing season.
- Is my plant getting too much fertilizer?
- Excessive fertilizer can cause rapid, weak growth. Stick to a balanced fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.
More problems with Marsh willowherb
- Why does my Marsh willowherb have orange spots?
- Why is my Marsh willowherb drooping?
- Why are my Marsh willowherb leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my Marsh willowherb's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my Marsh willowherb dropping leaves?
- Why is my marsh willowherb not flowering?
- Why does my marsh willowherb have pests?
- Why are my marsh willowherb leaves curling?
Back to the Marsh willowherb 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.