Should I cut off all the long stems?

You can cut them back, but do not remove more than one third of the total plant at once. This prevents shock.

Will it grow back bushy?

Yes, if you provide enough light and prune it correctly, it will produce new, shorter stems.

Slender St. John's Wort: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Observe how many hours of direct sun the plant gets daily.
Check if the plant is leaning toward a window or wall.
Look for signs of new growth near the base.

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 light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with more direct sunlight or brighter indirect light. Gradually increase exposure over a week to avoid leaf burn. Prune back the long stems to encourage bushier growth.
Lack of pruning
Possible
How to tell: The plant is tall and sparse even though it has decent light. Older stems look woody and tired.
What to do: Trim the plant back by one third after it finishes flowering. This encourages new, compact growth from the base. Regular pruning keeps the plant dense and healthy.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your slender st. john's wort

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 is a sign that the plant is not thriving. You should fix the light levels to ensure it stays strong enough to flower.

Stopping it coming back

Place the plant in a spot that receives at least six hours of bright light daily and prune it annually.

Slender St. John's Wort: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your slender st. john's wort 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.

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Questions people ask

Should I cut off all the long stems?: You can cut them back, but do not remove more than one third of the total plant at once. This prevents shock.
Will it grow back bushy?: Yes, if you provide enough light and prune it correctly, it will produce new, shorter stems.

Why is my Slender St. John's Wort looking so leggy?