Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Measure the hours of direct sunlight the plant receives.
- Check for nearby trees that might be shading the shrub.
- Look for long, bare stems that have not produced new leaves.
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 plant to a spot with more direct sun if possible. If it is in the ground, prune back the long stems in late winter to encourage bushier growth.
Lack of pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The shrub has grown tall and sparse over several years without any maintenance.
What to do: Prune the plant back by one third in late winter while it is dormant. This stimulates new, dense growth from the base.
Find out what's wrong with your fragrant sumac
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 not a health emergency, just an aesthetic one. You can safely prune it back to shape it up.
Stopping it coming back
Give the plant at least 6 hours of sun and prune it lightly every year to maintain its shape.
Fragrant sumac: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your fragrant sumac 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
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Questions people ask
- When is the best time to prune?
- Late winter or very early spring before the buds start to swell is the best time.
- Will pruning make it grow back thicker?
- Yes, cutting back the tips encourages the plant to branch out and become much fuller.
More problems with Fragrant sumac
- Why are there white spots on my fragrant sumac?
- Why are my fragrant sumac leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my fragrant sumac's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my fragrant sumac drooping?
- Why is my fragrant sumac losing its leaves?
- Why are there bugs on my Fragrant sumac?
- Is my Fragrant sumac suffering from root rot?
- Why are my Fragrant sumac leaves curling?
Back to the Fragrant sumac 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.