Can I prune leggy stems?

Yes, you can trim back the long stems to make the plant look tidier. Just make sure you move it to a brighter location first, or it will just grow back leggy again.

Will my plant bloom if it is leggy?

Usually not. Gazanias need intense light to produce their signature flowers, so a leggy plant is likely putting all its energy into reaching for the sun.

Why is my Gazania linearis looking leggy? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Assess the number of hours of direct sunlight your plant receives.
Check if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
Inspect the soil for signs of recent heavy fertilization.

Likely causes

Insufficient Sunlight
Most likely
How to tell: The stems stretch out long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant will lean heavily toward the nearest window or light source.
What to do: Move your pot to a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. If you are growing indoors, place it directly in a south facing window or use a high output grow light.
Excessive Nitrogen Fertilizer
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, usually caused by using a high nitrogen lawn fertilizer instead of a balanced bloom booster. The plant grows soft, weak stems that cannot support themselves.
What to do: Stop fertilizing immediately and flush the soil with water to wash away excess salts. Switch to a low nitrogen, high phosphorus fertilizer once the plant recovers to encourage flowers instead of foliage.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your treasure flower

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 not a health emergency, but it will not fix itself without more light. You can prune back the long stems to encourage a bushier shape once you have moved it to a brighter spot.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your treasure flower in the sunniest spot you have to ensure compact, healthy growth.

Treasure flower: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your treasure flower 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 prune leggy stems?: Yes, you can trim back the long stems to make the plant look tidier. Just make sure you move it to a brighter location first, or it will just grow back leggy again.
Will my plant bloom if it is leggy?: Usually not. Gazanias need intense light to produce their signature flowers, so a leggy plant is likely putting all its energy into reaching for the sun.

Why is my Gazania linearis looking leggy?