Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
- Measure the distance between the leaves on the stems.
- Check if the plant has been pruned in the last year.
Likely causes
Low Light
Most likelyHow 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 full, direct sun. If you cannot provide more natural light, consider using a grow light for 10 to 12 hours a day.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is older and has grown tall and woody over time. It is not necessarily reaching for light, but it has not been shaped.
What to do: Prune back the long stems by one third to encourage bushier, lateral growth. Do this in early spring to prepare the plant for the growing season.
Find out what's wrong with your geranium
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 geraniums to grow taller over a long season, but they should remain sturdy. Worry if the stems are so thin they cannot support their own weight.
Stopping it coming back
Give your geranium plenty of direct sun and pinch back the tips of young stems to encourage branching.
Keep your geranium healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I prune my geranium at any time?
- It is best to do major pruning in early spring. You can pinch back small tips throughout the summer to keep it tidy.
- Will the leggy stems fill back in?
- Usually, no. It is better to prune the leggy parts off so the plant can grow new, compact stems from the base.
More problems with Geranium
- Why are my Cranesbill leaves turning yellow?
- What are these spots on my Cranesbill leaves?
- Why does my Cranesbill have bugs on it?
- Why is my geranium not blooming?
- How do I fix root rot in my geranium?
- Why are my geranium's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my geranium drooping?
- Why is my geranium losing its leaves?
- Why are my geranium leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.