Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess the amount of light the plant receives throughout the day.
- Observe if the plant is leaning toward a specific light source.
- Inspect the stems for signs of new growth nodes.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems stretch out with large gaps between the leaves as the plant reaches for a light source. You might notice the plant leaning heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with brighter, indirect light where it can receive at least 6 hours of exposure daily. If you are growing it indoors, you may need to place it closer to a south or east facing window.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant looks sparse and woody because it has not been shaped or encouraged to branch out. Older stems may lose their leaves near the base while continuing to grow long at the tips.
What to do: Prune back the long, straggly stems by about one third after the plant finishes flowering. This encourages the shrub to produce new, bushy growth from the lower nodes.
Find out what's wrong with your labrador tea
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 stretch slightly during the darker winter months. You should worry if the stems become so thin that they can no longer support their own weight.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your Labrador Tea in a bright location and prune it lightly every year to maintain a dense, healthy habit.
Keep your labrador tea healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Can I fix a leggy plant by just moving it?
- Moving it to better light will stop the stretching, but it will not fix the existing long stems. You will need to prune the stems back to encourage fuller growth.
- Does Labrador Tea flower if it is leggy?
- It might still produce flowers, but they will likely be sparse and the plant will look unbalanced. Proper light is essential for both a good shape and a healthy bloom.
More problems with Labrador Tea
Back to the Labrador Tea guide
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.