Should I stake my leggy soapwort?

Staking is a temporary fix, but it is better to address the light or pruning needs. Use a small hoop or stake if the plant is falling over into a walkway.

Will cutting it back stop it from blooming?

Pruning after the first bloom actually encourages a second, tidier flush of flowers later in the season.

Common soapwort: leggy growth, causes and fixes

Check these first

Measure how many hours of direct sun the plant receives.
Check if nearby plants are shading your soapwort.
Look for signs of new growth at the base of the stems.

Likely causes

Insufficient light
Most likely
How 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 your plant to a spot that gets at least six hours of direct sun. If it is in a container, rotate it every few days to encourage even growth.
Lack of pruning
Possible
How to tell: The plant is tall and floppy after it finishes its first bloom cycle. It looks messy and unkempt.
What to do: Cut the stems back by one third after the first flush of flowers. This encourages the plant to grow bushier and more compact.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common soapwort

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

It is normal for soapwort to get a bit tall as it matures, but it should not look weak. If the stems cannot support themselves, it is time to prune.

Stopping it coming back

Provide plenty of sunlight and trim the plant back after flowering to keep it dense.

Common soapwort: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your common soapwort 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I stake my leggy soapwort?: Staking is a temporary fix, but it is better to address the light or pruning needs. Use a small hoop or stake if the plant is falling over into a walkway.
Will cutting it back stop it from blooming?: Pruning after the first bloom actually encourages a second, tidier flush of flowers later in the season.

Why is my common soapwort growing so tall and leggy?