Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Evaluate the amount of direct sun the plant receives.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
- Look for signs of new growth at the base.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you are growing indoors, place it in a south facing window.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks tall and sparse even though it is in a sunny spot.
What to do: Pinch back the growing tips of the stems to encourage branching. Do this in early spring to promote a fuller shape.
Find out what's wrong with your geranium
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
Legginess is a common issue that is not fatal, but it does make the plant look untidy. It is only a major concern if the stems become too weak to support the flowers.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your geranium in a bright, sunny location and pinch back stems regularly during the growing season.
Geranium: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your geranium 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 a leggy plant by cutting it back?
- Absolutely, cutting back long stems will force the plant to grow new, bushier shoots from the base.
- Does fertilizer help with legginess?
- Too much nitrogen fertilizer can actually encourage rapid, weak growth that makes the plant look even leggier.
More problems with Geranium
- Why are my garden geranium leaves turning yellow?
- How do I get rid of pests on my garden geranium?
- Why does my geranium have spots on its leaves?
- Why is my geranium not producing flowers?
- Why is my geranium wilting and showing root rot?
- Why are my geranium leaves curling?
- Why are my geranium leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my geranium drooping?
- Why is my garden geranium dropping its leaves?
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.