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Common figwort · Scrophularia nodosa

Why is my Common figwort growing so tall and leggy?

Common figwort becomes leggy when it is searching for more light. If your plant has long, thin stems with large gaps between the leaves, it is likely not getting enough sun.

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leggy growth on a plant
Photo: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Observe how many hours of direct sun the plant gets.
  2. Check if nearby plants are shading your figwort.
  3. Look at the distance between the leaves on the stem.

Likely causes

  1. Insufficient light

    Most likely

    How to tell: The stems are thin, pale, and stretching toward the nearest light source. There is significant distance between the leaf nodes.

    What to do: Move the plant to a location that receives more direct sunlight or brighter partial shade. If the plant is already very tall, prune it back by one third to encourage bushier growth.

  2. Lack of pruning

    Possible

    How to tell: The plant is healthy but has become tall and top heavy over the season. It lacks a compact, rounded shape.

    What to do: Pinch back the growing tips in early spring to encourage branching. Regular pruning throughout the growing season will keep the plant compact and sturdy.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your common 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

Legginess is rarely fatal, but it makes the plant prone to flopping over in the wind. It is normal for the plant to grow tall as it matures, but it should remain sturdy.

Stopping it coming back

Place your plant in a spot with at least 6 hours of light and pinch the tips back early in the season.

Common figwort: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

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

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Questions people ask

Can I fix a leggy plant?
Yes, by increasing the light and pruning the stems back. The plant will respond by sending out new, stronger growth.
Will pruning stop it from flowering?
Pruning early in the season encourages more stems, which actually leads to more flowers later on. Avoid heavy pruning once flower buds have formed.

More problems with Common figwort

Back to the Common 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.