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Check these first
- Measure the hours of direct sunlight the plant receives daily.
- Check if the plant is crowded by other taller species.
- Inspect the stems for signs of physical damage.
Likely causes
Low light conditions
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long, weak, and spaced far apart, causing the plant to flop over. The leaves may also appear paler than usual.
What to do: Relocate the plant to a position with full, direct sun for most of the day. If the stems are already very long, you can prune them back by one third to encourage bushier growth.
Overcrowding
PossibleHow to tell: The plants are growing very close together, causing them to compete for light and air. This results in thin, stretched stems as they try to outgrow their neighbors.
What to do: Thin out your planting area by removing or transplanting excess plants to give each one at least 12 inches of space. This allows light to reach the base of the plant.
Find out what's wrong with your autumn hawkbit
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
Some stretching is normal during early spring growth, but if the plant cannot support its own weight, it needs more light immediately.
Stopping it coming back
Ensure your plant has plenty of space and full sun exposure from the moment you plant it.
Autumn hawkbit: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your autumn hawkbit 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
- Can I stake my leggy hawkbit?
- You can use small garden stakes to support the stems, but this is only a temporary fix. The best solution is to move the plant to a sunnier spot.
- Will the stems thicken up if I give it more sun?
- New growth will be much sturdier and more compact once the plant receives adequate light. The existing thin stems will not thicken, so you may want to prune them.
More problems with Autumn hawkbit
- Why are there spots on my Autumn hawkbit leaves?
- Why is my autumn hawkbit not blooming?
- Why are my Autumn hawkbit leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Autumn hawkbit drooping?
- Why are the tips of my autumn hawkbit leaves turning brown?
- Why are there bugs on my Autumn hawkbit?
- Why does my Autumn hawkbit look like it is rotting?
- Why are my Autumn hawkbit leaves curling?
Back to the Autumn hawkbit 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.