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Check these first
- Observe the direction the plant is leaning.
- Measure the distance between leaf nodes on the canes.
- Check the light intensity in the current location.
Likely causes
Low Light Levels
Most likelyHow to tell: The canes are very long, thin, and pale with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window or light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with more direct sunlight. If you cannot provide more natural light, consider using a grow light for 10 to 12 hours a day.
Excessive Nitrogen
PossibleHow to tell: The plant grows very fast but the canes are weak and floppy. The foliage is a very dark green but lacks structural integrity.
What to do: Switch to a balanced fertilizer with lower nitrogen content. Stop fertilizing during the winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
Find out what's wrong with your european dewberry
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 mostly an aesthetic issue, but it can lead to weak canes that break under their own weight. It is normal for the plant to grow longer canes during the peak of summer.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure the plant receives consistent, bright light and avoid over fertilizing with nitrogen rich products.
European dewberry: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your european dewberry 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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Questions people ask
- Should I prune back leggy canes?
- You can prune them to encourage bushier growth, but do not remove too much at once. Wait until the plant is in an active growth phase to prune.
- Will these canes ever thicken up?
- Once a cane has grown thin and leggy, it will not thicken significantly. Pruning it back and providing better light will encourage new, stronger growth.
More problems with European dewberry
- Why does my European dewberry have spots on its leaves?
- What are these bugs on my European dewberry?
- Why are my European dewberry leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my European dewberry leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my European dewberry drooping?
- Why is my European dewberry losing its leaves?
- Why is my European dewberry not flowering?
- Why is my European dewberry suffering from root rot?
- Why are my European dewberry leaves curling?
Back to the European dewberry 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.