Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how many hours of direct light the plant receives.
- Rotate the pot to ensure all sides get even light.
- Inspect the stems for signs of new growth nodes.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest light source.
What to do: Move the plant to a location with bright, indirect light or some direct morning sun. Prune back the long stems to encourage fuller, bushier growth.
Lack of Pruning
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant is tall and sparse even though it receives good light. It has not been trimmed back after its flowering cycle.
What to do: Trim the tips of the branches by 2 to 4 inches after the plant finishes blooming. This forces the plant to branch out and create a denser shape.
Find out what's wrong with your princess flower
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 not a health emergency, but it will affect the number of flowers you get. It is normal for the plant to grow tall over a full season.
Stopping it coming back
Prune your plant annually after flowering and ensure it gets plenty of bright light throughout the year.
Princess Flower: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your princess flower 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 cut my Tibouchina back hard?
- Yes, Princess Flowers respond well to pruning. You can cut them back by up to one third to rejuvenate their shape.
- Will more light stop the legginess?
- Yes, bright light keeps the internodes short and the plant compact. Aim for a spot that gets at least 6 hours of bright, indirect light.
More problems with Princess Flower
- Why are my Princess Flower leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Princess Flower not blooming?
- Why is my Tibouchina drooping?
- Why are the tips of my Princess Flower leaves turning brown?
- Why is my Tibouchina dropping leaves?
- Why does my Tibouchina have spots on its leaves?
- Are there bugs on my Princess Flower?
- Is my Tibouchina suffering from root rot?
Back to the Princess Flower 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.