Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how much light the plant gets throughout the day.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
- Look for long gaps between the leaf nodes on the stems.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long, thin, and pale with very few leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move the plant to a brighter spot with more indirect light. If you are growing it indoors, consider placing it closer to a south or east facing window.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall and sparse even though it gets decent light. It looks like it has not been trimmed in a long time.
What to do: Pinch back the growing tips of the stems to encourage bushier growth. You can safely trim back up to one third of the plant to help it fill out.
When to worry
Legginess is not a disease, but it makes the plant look weak. It is only a concern if the stems become too thin to support the weight of the leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Rotate your pot every week so all sides get equal light, and pinch the tips regularly to keep the shape compact.
Not sure which one it is? Photograph your purple deadnettle.
This page lists the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at your actual leaf and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Will the stems fill back in if I prune them?
- Yes, pruning encourages the plant to branch out from lower nodes. This creates a much fuller and healthier look.
- Can I grow this in full shade?
- It prefers partial shade but will become very leggy in deep shade. Give it as much bright, indirect light as you can.
More problems with Purple deadnettle
Back to the Purple deadnettle guide
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.