Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe if the plant is leaning toward a window.
- Check the distance between the leaf nodes.
- Assess how many hours of direct or bright light it receives.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light or full sun. If you are growing indoors, consider using a grow light for 10 to 12 hours a day.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall but has not been trimmed back, causing it to lose its bushy shape. The lower leaves may start to yellow as they get shaded out.
What to do: Prune the stems back by one third to encourage new, lateral growth. Regular harvesting will keep the plant compact and productive.
Find out what's wrong with your peppermint
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
Legginess is rarely a sign of a dying plant, just one that needs a change in environment. It is normal for mint to stretch slightly as it matures.
Stopping it coming back
Harvest your mint frequently by pinching off the top sets of leaves. This forces the plant to branch out rather than growing straight up.
Peppermint: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your peppermint 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 cut the long stems off?
- Yes, cutting back long stems is the best way to fix the shape. You can even root the cuttings in water to start new plants.
- How much light is enough?
- Peppermint prefers at least 6 hours of bright light daily. If your plant is still leggy, it needs more intensity.
More problems with Peppermint
- Why are there tiny bugs on my peppermint plant?
- What are these spots on my peppermint leaves?
- Why are my peppermint leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my peppermint plant drooping?
- Why do my peppermint leaves have brown tips?
- Why is my peppermint plant dropping leaves?
- How do I know if my peppermint has root rot?
- Why are my peppermint leaves curling?
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.