Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess the light levels in the current location.
- Look for signs of leaning toward a light source.
- Check if the plant has been pruned in the last year.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are stretching out with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light or some direct sun. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every week to ensure all sides get equal exposure.
Lack of Pruning
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant is tall and sparse but otherwise healthy. It has not been trimmed in a long time.
What to do: Prune back the long, straggly stems by one third to encourage new, bushy growth. Do this in the early spring before the main growth spurt begins.
Find out what's wrong with your pittosporum
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
It is normal for a plant to grow slightly taller over time, but long, thin stems indicate a struggle for light. If the plant is healthy otherwise, it is just a cosmetic issue that you can fix with pruning.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your plant in a bright spot and give it a light trim every spring to maintain a compact shape. Regular pruning forces the plant to branch out rather than just growing upward.
Pittosporum: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your pittosporum 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.
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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Will my leggy stems fill back in?
- Not usually. It is best to prune the long stems back to encourage new, dense growth from lower down on the plant.
- How much sun does my Pittosporum need?
- They thrive in bright, indirect light but can handle full sun to partial shade. If it is indoors, a south or west facing window is usually best.
More problems with Pittosporum
- Why are my Pittosporum leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Pittosporum dropping its leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Pittosporum?
- Why is my Pittosporum wilting and the soil smells bad?
- Why are the tips of my Pittosporum leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Pittosporum drooping?
- Why does my Pittosporum have spots on its leaves?
- Why are my Pittosporum 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.