Can I prune it to make it shorter?

Yes, you can pinch back the tips in late spring to encourage branching. This results in a shorter, bushier plant with more flowers.

Will it bloom if it is leggy?

It might bloom, but the flowers will be sparse. More sun is the best way to get a full display of flowers.

Spotted bee balm: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Observe how many hours of direct sun the plant gets.
Check if nearby plants are shading your bee balm.
Look at the distance between the leaf nodes on the stem.

Likely causes

Insufficient Light
Most likely
How to tell: The stems are very long with large gaps between the leaves.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot that receives full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours a day. If it is in a pot, place it in the brightest location available.
Excessive Fertilizer
Possible
How to tell: The plant is growing very fast but the stems are weak and floppy.
What to do: Stop fertilizing for the rest of the season. Spotted bee balm prefers lean soil and does not need extra nutrients.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your spotted bee balm

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 makes the plant prone to falling over. Pruning can help it bush out if you catch it early.

Stopping it coming back

Plant in full sun and avoid adding compost or fertilizer to the soil at planting time.

Spotted bee balm: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your spotted bee balm 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I prune it to make it shorter?: Yes, you can pinch back the tips in late spring to encourage branching. This results in a shorter, bushier plant with more flowers.
Will it bloom if it is leggy?: It might bloom, but the flowers will be sparse. More sun is the best way to get a full display of flowers.

Why is my Spotted bee balm growing tall and leggy?