Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Move the plant to a brighter location.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a window.
- Reduce the amount of fertilizer you are using.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems grow long and weak with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you are growing indoors, place it in a south facing window or use a grow light.
Excessive Nitrogen
PossibleHow to tell: The plant produces lots of lush green foliage but few flowers and weak, floppy stems. This often happens after heavy fertilization.
What to do: Stop using high nitrogen fertilizers immediately. Switch to a balanced, water soluble fertilizer once a month during the growing season instead.
Find out what's wrong with your dovefoot cranesbill
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
It is normal for the plant to stretch slightly as the season ends, but significant legginess during peak growth indicates a health issue.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your cranesbill in a bright, sunny spot and prune back any overly long stems to encourage bushier growth.
Dovefoot cranesbill: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your dovefoot cranesbill 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
- Can I prune back leggy stems?
- Yes, you can trim back long, spindly stems to encourage the plant to grow fuller. Use clean scissors and cut just above a leaf node.
- Will my plant recover if I move it to the sun?
- It will stop growing leggy, but the existing long stems will not shrink. You may want to trim them back so the new growth looks better.
More problems with Dovefoot cranesbill
- Why are there spots on my Dovefoot cranesbill leaves?
- Why are my Dovefoot cranesbill leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Dovefoot cranesbill drooping?
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- Why is my Geranium molle not flowering?
- Why are there bugs on my Geranium molle?
- Why is my Geranium molle wilting?
- Why are my Geranium molle leaves curling?
Back to the Dovefoot cranesbill 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.