Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how much direct sunlight the plant receives daily.
- Check if the stems are reaching or leaning toward a window.
- Measure the distance between the leaf nodes on the main stems.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems will be long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant will also lean heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move your plant to a spot with more direct sun or brighter indirect light. If you are growing it indoors, place it directly in a south or west facing window.
Crowding
Most likelyHow to tell: Plants grown too close together will compete for light and air. This causes them to grow tall and spindly as they reach upward.
What to do: Space your plants 12 to 18 inches apart to ensure each one gets enough light. Thin out any overly dense patches to improve airflow.
Find out what's wrong with your water figwort
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 normal for this plant to reach heights of 3 feet or more, but it should not look thin or floppy. Worry if the stems cannot support their own weight.
Stopping it coming back
Provide at least 6 hours of bright light daily and give the plants plenty of room to spread out.
Water figwort: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your water figwort 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 prune back leggy stems?
- Yes, you can trim back long stems to encourage bushier growth. Use clean shears and cut just above a leaf node.
- Will my plant stop being leggy if I move it?
- The existing stems will not shrink, but new growth will be much tighter and stronger. You can prune the old, leggy stems once new growth appears.
More problems with Water figwort
- Why is my Water figwort drooping?
- Why are there bugs on my Water figwort?
- Why are my Water figwort leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my water figwort's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my water figwort dropping its leaves?
- Why are there spots on my Water figwort leaves?
- Why is my Water figwort not blooming?
- Why are my Water figwort leaves curling?
Back to the Water figwort 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.