Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a window or light source.
- Measure the distance between leaves to see if they are stretched.
- Ensure the plant is not being shaded by taller neighbors.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a location that receives full, direct sun. If you are growing indoors, place it in a south facing window.
Crowding
PossibleHow to tell: Plants grown too close together will compete for light and grow tall and spindly. They will lack the bushy appearance of a healthy plant.
What to do: Thin out your seedlings or space your plants 8 to 12 inches apart. This ensures each plant gets enough light to grow strong stems.
Find out what's wrong with your hedge mustard
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 the plant to grow tall as it matures and prepares to flower. It is only a problem if the stems are so weak they cannot support themselves.
Stopping it coming back
Provide full sun from the very beginning of the plant's life. Avoid overcrowding by giving each plant plenty of room to spread out.
Hedge mustard: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your hedge mustard 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
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Can I prune a leggy hedge mustard?
- You can pinch back the tips to encourage bushier growth. This will help the plant become sturdier.
- Will it recover if I move it to the sun?
- The existing stems will not shrink, but new growth will be much stronger and more compact. You may need to stake the plant if it is very tall.
More problems with Hedge mustard
- Why does my hedge mustard have tiny bugs on it?
- Why are my hedge mustard leaves turning yellow?
- Why does my hedge mustard have spots on its leaves?
- Why are my hedge mustard leaves getting brown tips?
- Why is my hedge mustard drooping?
- Why is my hedge mustard dropping leaves?
- Why is my hedge mustard suffering from root rot?
- Why are my hedge mustard leaves curling?
Back to the Hedge mustard 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.