Should I prune the long stems?

You can trim back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth. Make your cuts just above a leaf node.

Will my strawberry flower if it is leggy?

Virginia strawberries do flower in the spring and summer, but they need plenty of light to produce blooms. If the plant is too leggy, it likely lacks the energy to flower.

Virginia strawberry: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Move the plant to a brighter location.
Rotate the pot every week to ensure even growth.
Check if the plant is near a heat source.

Likely causes

Insufficient Light
Most likely
How to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with more direct sun or bright indirect light. If you are growing indoors, place it within 2 feet of a south facing window.
Excessive Heat
Possible
How to tell: The plant grows quickly but the stems are weak and spindly. The leaves may look slightly pale or scorched.
What to do: Move the plant to a cooler location away from heat vents or direct afternoon sun. Ensure it has good air circulation to keep the temperature stable.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your virginia strawberry

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

Leggy growth is a sign of stress but rarely kills the plant immediately. It is normal for the plant to grow slightly differently during the winter months when light is lower.

Stopping it coming back

Provide consistent bright light and rotate the pot regularly to keep growth compact and even.

Virginia strawberry: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your virginia strawberry 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

Should I prune the long stems?: You can trim back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth. Make your cuts just above a leaf node.
Will my strawberry flower if it is leggy?: Virginia strawberries do flower in the spring and summer, but they need plenty of light to produce blooms. If the plant is too leggy, it likely lacks the energy to flower.

Why is my Virginia strawberry growing so leggy?