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Feverfew · Tanacetum parthenium

Why is my Feverfew growing so tall and leggy?

Feverfew naturally grows tall, but if it looks stretched out and weak, it is likely reaching for more light. Check your plant's current light exposure first to see if it needs a brighter spot.

Not sure it's this? Check a photo of your plant for free

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

Check these first

  1. Observe how many hours of direct sunlight the plant receives daily.
  2. Check if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
  3. Inspect the stems to see if they are thin and weak.

Likely causes

  1. Insufficient Light

    Most likely

    How to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant may also lean heavily toward the nearest window.

    What to do: Move your plant to a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun or very bright indirect light. If you are growing indoors, place it directly in a south or west facing window.

  2. Lack of Pruning

    Most likely

    How to tell: The plant looks overgrown and top heavy after the first flush of blooms. It has lost its compact, bushy shape.

    What to do: Trim back the stems by one third after the first flowering cycle. This encourages the plant to produce new, shorter, and bushier growth from the base.

Leggy growth in other plants

Find out what's wrong with your feverfew

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 Feverfew to get tall as it prepares to bloom, but stems that flop over completely indicate the plant is struggling.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your plant in a sunny spot and pinch back the tips of young stems in early spring to promote a fuller shape.

Feverfew: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo

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

Should I stake my leggy Feverfew?
Staking is a temporary fix, but it is better to prune the plant or move it to a sunnier spot. Staking won't fix the underlying lack of light.
Will cutting it back kill the plant?
No, Feverfew is quite resilient and responds very well to pruning. Cutting it back actually helps it grow back stronger and more compact.

More problems with Feverfew

Back to the Feverfew 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.