Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe the amount of direct sunlight the plant receives daily.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a window or wall.
- Look for long, thin stems that lack foliage.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow 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 shrub to a location that receives full sun or at least partial shade. If indoors, place it directly in front of a bright window.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks sparse and spindly because it has not been shaped. Old growth is taking up space without producing new foliage.
What to do: Prune back the long, straggly stems by one third to encourage bushier growth. Do this in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
Find out what's wrong with your common buckthorn
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
Leggy growth is rarely fatal but it makes the plant look weak and sparse. It is normal for the plant to lose some inner leaves as it matures.
Stopping it coming back
Provide plenty of bright light and prune the shrub annually to maintain a compact shape. This encourages the plant to put energy into new, dense growth.
Common buckthorn: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common buckthorn 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
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Questions people ask
- Will pruning make my buckthorn bushier?
- Yes, pruning stimulates the plant to produce new branches from the cut points. This creates a much fuller and more attractive appearance.
- Does common buckthorn flower?
- It produces small, inconspicuous flowers in the spring, but they are not the main reason people grow it. It needs full sun to bloom well.
More problems with Common buckthorn
- Why are there orange spots on my Common buckthorn leaves?
- Why are my Common buckthorn leaves turning yellow?
- Why are the tips of my Common buckthorn leaves turning brown?
- Why is my common buckthorn drooping?
- Why is my common buckthorn losing its leaves?
- What is eating my common buckthorn?
- Why is my common buckthorn showing signs of root rot?
Back to the Common buckthorn 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.