Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how much light the plant receives throughout the day.
- Rotate the pot to ensure all sides get even light exposure.
- Check if the plant is too far from a window.
Likely causes
Insufficient light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant is leaning heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move your plant to a brighter location that receives plenty of bright indirect light. If you cannot provide enough natural light, consider adding a grow light for 10 to 12 hours a day.
Excessive fertilizer
PossibleHow to tell: It is less common for this plant, but too much nitrogen can cause rapid, weak growth. The plant looks tall and spindly despite having good light.
What to do: Stop fertilizing for a few months to let the plant stabilize. When you resume, use a balanced fertilizer at half strength once a month during the growing season.
Find out what's wrong with your wild potato
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
Worry if the stems become so weak they cannot hold themselves up. It is normal for the plant to grow slightly taller as it matures, but it should remain sturdy.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your plant in a bright spot and rotate it every week to encourage even, compact growth.
Wild potato: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your wild potato 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 the leggy stems?
- Yes, you can trim back long stems to encourage the plant to branch out. Use clean, sharp scissors to make your cuts.
- Will the stems fill back in?
- The existing stems will not grow leaves where they are currently bare. Pruning is the best way to encourage new, fuller growth.
More problems with Wild potato
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- Why are my Solanum etuberosum leaves curling?
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.