Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess the current light levels in your room.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a window.
- Observe if the new pads are smaller than the old ones.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The new pads are thin, pale, and elongated instead of round and plump. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move your cactus to a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun every day. If you do not have a bright window, use a strong grow light placed 6 inches above the plant.
Seasonal dormancy
PossibleHow to tell: Growth slows down during winter months when days are shorter. The plant might look slightly stretched if it is still being watered like it is summer.
What to do: Reduce watering significantly during the winter months. Keep the plant in a cooler area to encourage a true rest period.
Find out what's wrong with your bunny ears cactus
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
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is not a medical emergency, but the stretched parts will never thicken up. You can prune them off once the plant is getting enough light to start growing properly again.
Stopping it coming back
Always keep your Bunny Ears Cactus in the sunniest spot you have available.
Bunny Ears Cactus: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your bunny ears cactus 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 fix the leggy parts?
- No, those thin pads will stay that way forever. It is best to prune them off once the plant is healthy and growing in better light.
- Will a grow light help?
- Yes, a high output LED grow light is a great substitute if you lack a sunny south facing window.
More problems with Bunny Ears Cactus
Back to the Bunny Ears Cactus 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.