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Lion's Ear · Leonotis leonurus

Why is my Lion's Ear getting so tall and thin?

A leggy Lion's Ear often happens when the plant is reaching for more light. Check your light levels first to see if your plant is getting enough sun.

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leggy growth on a plant
Photo: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Assess the light intensity in the plant's current spot.
  2. Rotate the pot to ensure all sides get even light.
  3. Check if the stems are weak or just long.

Likely causes

  1. Low Light

    Most likely

    How to tell: The stems are long with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the light source.

    What to do: Move the plant to a brighter location with full sun. Prune back the long stems to encourage the plant to grow bushier from the base.

  2. Lack of Pruning

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant has grown very tall and woody over several years. It looks sparse at the bottom and top heavy.

    What to do: Cut the stems back by one third in early spring. This forces the plant to put energy into new, lower growth.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your lion's ear

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 this plant to grow quite tall, but it should not be weak or floppy. If the stems cannot support themselves, it is time to prune and move it.

Stopping it coming back

Prune your plant annually after flowering to maintain a compact shape. Always keep it in the sunniest spot you have.

Lion's Ear: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lion's ear 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 stake my leggy plant?
Staking is a temporary fix, but it does not solve the underlying light issue. Pruning and moving to better light is the best long term solution.
Can I prune it at any time?
It is best to prune in early spring before the new growth starts. Pruning in late autumn can leave the plant vulnerable to winter cold.

More problems with Lion's Ear

Back to the Lion's Ear 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.