Leggy, stretched growth with long gaps between leaves
The stem lengthens between one leaf and the next, the plant leans towards a window, and the new leaves are smaller and paler than the old ones. It is a growth response rather than damage, and it is not reversible: the stretched section stays stretched however the conditions improve.
What causes it, and how to tell them apart
Work down the list making the observation under each heading. GrowingHQ will not guess which one you have — the observation is the answer.
- Etiolationvery common
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Houseplants — light
Checked 2026-08-13
How to tell
The growth leans consistently towards the brightest available light, and the gaps lengthened progressively as the plant grew rather than appearing all at once.
source
Horticultural consensusmoderate confidence
No external citation — see the evidence type above.
Checked 2026-08-13
If it is this, do first
Move it to the brightest position you have and turn the pot regularly. Judge recovery by the spacing of NEW growth; the existing stem will not shorten.
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Houseplants — light
Checked 2026-08-13
- Not enough lightcommon
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Houseplants — light
Checked 2026-08-13
How to tell
Alongside the stretching, the plant has stopped producing new leaves altogether or the new ones are markedly smaller, which points to light being short rather than merely directional.
source
Horticultural consensusmoderate confidence
No external citation — see the evidence type above.
Checked 2026-08-13
If it is this, do first
Move it closer to a window or add supplementary light, and reduce watering until it is growing again — a plant in poor light uses far less water.
source
Sourced guidancehigh confidence
- Royal Horticultural Society: Houseplants — light
Checked 2026-08-13