Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Assess how many hours of direct or bright light it gets.
- Rotate the pot to ensure all sides get even light.
- Check if nearby plants are shading it.
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 more bright, indirect light. If growing indoors, place it closer to a sunny window.
Lack of Pruning
PossibleHow to tell: The plant is tall and sparse even though it gets decent light. It has grown tall without branching out.
What to do: Pinch back the growing tips to encourage the plant to branch out. This creates a bushier, more attractive shape.
Find out what's wrong with your upright hedge parsley
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 weak and prone to falling over. It is best to fix the light issue early in the growing season.
Stopping it coming back
Provide consistent bright, indirect light throughout the day. Pinch the tips occasionally to maintain a compact form.
Upright hedge parsley: leggy growth? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your upright hedge parsley 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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Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
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Questions people ask
- Can I cut back the long stems?
- Yes, trimming back long stems will help the plant look better. New growth will emerge from the nodes below the cut.
- Will it get bushy again?
- With more light and regular pruning, your plant will grow back fuller. Be patient, as it takes a few weeks to see new, compact growth.
More problems with upright hedge parsley
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- Why are there bugs on my Torilis japonica?
- Why are my Torilis japonica leaves curling?
Back to the upright hedge parsley 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.