Ever notice your succulents acting a little strange during the winter? One minute they’re cute, compact, and perfectly symmetrical, and the next, they’re stretching toward the ceiling like they’re trying to win a high-jump competition. Before you know it, that beautiful rosette shape is gone, replaced by a tall, leggy stem. If your plants are looking a bit “stretched out,” don’t worry—here’s the lowdown on why it happens and how you can fix it.
The Culprit: Not Enough Light
It’s no secret that succulents are total sun-worshippers. Most of them crave bright, direct light to stay happy. When wintering your succulents in a spot that’s a bit too dark or too warm, they start “searching” for the sun.
In the plant world, we call this “etiolation.” Basically, the plant is panicking because it’s not getting enough energy from the sun, so it puts all its effort into growing upward as fast as possible to find a light source. This results in weak, pale stems and wide gaps between the leaves. Eventually, the stem gets so long and heavy that the plant starts to lean or even flop over.
How to Fix a Leggy Succulent
The bad news? Once a succulent has stretched out, that specific stem won’t shrink back down to its original shape. The good news? You can totally hit the “reset button” by propagating the healthy parts! You can save the best bits of your plant, repot them, and start fresh. Here’s how to do it:
- Snip off the healthy “head” of the plant (the compact rosette at the very top) or any healthy side pups.
- Let the cuttings sit out for at least a day so the “wound” can callouse over—this prevents rot.
- Fill a small pot with well-draining cactus or succulent soil and give it a light misting.
- Place your cutting into the soil (don’t bury it too deep!).
- Wait about 8 to 10 days for roots to start forming before you jump back into your regular watering routine.
Another Way to Save Your Plant
If your succulent hasn’t produced any pups or a good “head” to cut off, don’t give up hope! You can actually grow entirely new plants from the individual leaves. Just gently wiggle a leaf off the stem, making sure you get a clean break. Lay the leaf cutting on top of some slightly damp soil. Over time, it’ll sprout tiny roots and a brand-new baby succulent will grow right from the base of the leaf. It takes a little patience, but it’s like magic!
