Should I cut back the long, leggy canes?

You can trim them back to encourage branching, but remember that these canes will produce fruit next year. Only prune if the plant is becoming unmanageable.

Is it normal for my blackberry to sprawl?

Yes, California blackberries are naturally vining plants. They will sprawl unless you provide them with a trellis or fence to climb.

California blackberry: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Assess the amount of light the plant receives throughout the day.
Check if the canes have any structure to climb on.
Look for signs of new growth that is thin and pale.

Likely causes

Low Light Levels
Most likely
How to tell: The canes are very long, thin, and have large gaps between the leaves. The plant is clearly stretching to find a brighter spot.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with more direct sun. If it is indoors or in a shaded area, gradually introduce it to brighter light over a week to avoid leaf burn.
Lack of Trellis Support
Possible
How to tell: The canes are sprawling across the ground and look messy rather than growing upright. This is the natural growth habit of a blackberry if it has nothing to climb.
What to do: Install a trellis or wire system to train the canes upward. Gently tie the canes to the support using soft garden twine to encourage a more compact shape.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your california blackberry

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.

When to worry

Legginess is rarely a sign of a dying plant but rather a sign that it is unhappy with its environment. It is normal for canes to grow quite long, so do not worry if they are just long but healthy.

Stopping it coming back

Provide a sturdy trellis early on and ensure the plant gets plenty of sun to keep the growth tight and strong.

California blackberry: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your california blackberry 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 cut back the long, leggy canes?: You can trim them back to encourage branching, but remember that these canes will produce fruit next year. Only prune if the plant is becoming unmanageable.
Is it normal for my blackberry to sprawl?: Yes, California blackberries are naturally vining plants. They will sprawl unless you provide them with a trellis or fence to climb.

Why is my California blackberry looking leggy?