Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Move the plant closer to a bright window.
- Rotate the pot weekly to ensure even growth.
- Pinch back the long stems to encourage fullness.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are stretching toward the nearest window and the leaves are smaller than usual. The plant looks thin and sparse.
What to do: Move the plant to a brighter spot with more indirect light. If you do not have a bright window, consider a grow light for 8 to 10 hours a day.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall but has not been trimmed in a long time. It looks top heavy and sparse at the base.
What to do: Pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage branching. This forces the plant to grow bushier rather than just taller.
Find out what's wrong with your spur flower
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 not a disease, but it is a sign your plant is unhappy with its location. It is normal for the plant to grow toward the light, so just rotate it often.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your spur flower in bright indirect light and pinch the tips regularly. This keeps the plant compact and full throughout the growing season.
Spur flower: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your spur flower 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
- Will the stems fill back in?
- The bare parts of the stem will not grow new leaves. You should prune them back to encourage new, fuller growth from the base.
- Is direct sun too much?
- Direct sun can scorch the leaves, so stick to bright indirect light. A sheer curtain is perfect for filtering harsh afternoon sun.
More problems with Spur flower
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- Why is my Plectranthus losing its leaves?
- What are these spots on my Plectranthus leaves?
- Why is my Plectranthus not blooming?
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.