Houseplants Suddenly Looking Leggy? This Common Problem Could Be to Blame – Here's How to Fix It Before Winter

It's a common problem for houseplants to look a little leggy as we go through seasonal shifts. In September, straggly, weak growth is usually the result of significantly darker conditions, causing your plants to become stressed.

It's a indoor plant problem I've dealt with many times, but the good news is it's fairly straightforward to fix. When houseplants are accustomed to brighter light in summer, suddenly receiving much less light (for example, if they're tucked away from a window) can result in leggy growth as the plant searches for more light.

I turn to my houseplant care kit to prune away this weak growth and gradually acclimate my houseplants to a more optimal position with more light exposure. And it's really as simple as that – you just need a pair of reliable houseplant pruning snips to hand (like these from Amazon).

What Causes Leggy Houseplants in September?

An essential part of fall houseplant care is helping plants adjust to changing growing conditions. This includes lower light and less hours of light exposure.

When houseplants that thrive in brighter light suddenly receive far less, it can result in a stress response: stretched, weak growth that is searching for light. The fact many houseplants are still actively growing in September means there is one last growth spurt that is not being supported with sufficient light levels.

You can use this houseplant meter from Amazon to determine if your plants are receiving enough light.

The problem with leggy houseplant growth is that not only does it weaken the plant and result in long stems more susceptible to snapping, it looks unsightly. This is particular the case when it causes plant stems to be long and sparse, with big gaps between leaves (a common problem for succulents).

In turn, your houseplant becoming weak right before the coldest months makes it much more vulnerable to the cooler room temperatures and houseplant pest damage.

That's why I act as soon as I notice my houseplant's starting to look a little lopsided and leggy.

How to Fix It

There are a few steps I follow when trying to revive a houseplant from leggy growth. Just remember some patience is needed to nurture it back to good health, so don't expect an instant improvement.

1. To help a leggy houseplant recover properly, it's important to acclimate it to a more optimal position. Each houseplant has its own specific light needs, but fall and winter generally call for positioning closer to windows – you can also use a grow light to supplement light if needed (this grow light from Amazon has a convenient timer). You can gradually reposition it by moving your houseplant closer to a window for a few hours each day, giving it a gentle introduction to its new home.
2. Once acclimated, use houseplant pruning snips (these Fiskars micro-tip pruning snips from Lowe's are a good choice) to cut back the leggy growth. You should cut just below a leaf node where new growth will emerge. Just take care not to prune more than one third of the plant, which may cause further stress. And keep in mind the shape you're creating when pruning, so you get a more aesthetic end result.
3. Practice houseplant rotation going forward. This is where you simply rotate your houseplants, say once a week, so each side receives equal exposure to light. In fall and winter especially, this can help create a more symmetrical shape and prevent further leggy growth. I find a plant caddy (like this wooden one from Wayfair) makes this much easier to do.

Bonus: Propagate Your Cuttings

Depending on the condition of the stems you prune off your leggy houseplants, you can grow houseplants with cuttings to multiply your collection.

You may find rooting hormone (like this rooting hormone powder from Amazon) helps speed up houseplant propagation. However, September is a favorable time to root cuttings, with lingering warmer temperatures and the final days of summer daylight.

What to Shop

Houseplants can be such a joy in fall and winter when the garden has gone to sleep. As well as ensuring they stay healthy, you can use houseplants for fall color to create a beautiful botanical spectacle for your home.

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