Can I prune my plant while it is flowering?

It is better to wait until the flowers fade to avoid cutting off the blooms.

Will the leggy stems fill back in?

They usually will not fill in, so pruning them back is the best way to get a fuller look.

Forget-me-not: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Assess the light levels in your plant's current spot.
Rotate the pot to see if it stops leaning.
Check if the plant has finished its main flowering cycle.

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 brighter location with more indirect light. Rotate the pot every few days to ensure even growth.
Lack of Pruning
Possible
How to tell: The plant is tall and sparse after the flowering season has ended.
What to do: Trim back the stems by one third to encourage bushier, denser growth. This helps the plant redirect energy into new, healthy stems.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your forget-me-not

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 normal for the plant to get a bit tall after blooming, but if it looks weak or floppy, it needs more light.

Stopping it coming back

Provide consistent bright, indirect light and prune the plant after it finishes flowering to keep it compact.

Forget-me-not: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your forget-me-not 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 my plant while it is flowering?: It is better to wait until the flowers fade to avoid cutting off the blooms.
Will the leggy stems fill back in?: They usually will not fill in, so pruning them back is the best way to get a fuller look.

Why is my Wood forget-me-not growing so leggy?