---
title: "anyone know why my ficus is growing like this? it keeps lengthening…"
description: "anyone know why my ficus is growing like this? it keeps lengthening its stem while growing tiny leaves at the top which keep drying up."
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/BAlhcvNhQzatWyxRCJGLLA/ihoS0aSxShyrDRhJO49IhQ"
community: "Foliage Plant Haven"
author: "Bea"
published: "2024-08-08T23:51:11.5199Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/dq2fVDi5LmLGW-Jp51OU20epajpNXCHLZmAX-3tCnXs/AI3-HtXRTmSCahRopNheoA.webp?size=large"
---

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# anyone know why my ficus is growing like this? it keeps lengthening…

_Posted by Bea on 2024-08-08_

anyone know why my ficus is growing like this? it keeps lengthening its stem while growing tiny leaves at the top which keep drying up.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/dq2fVDi5LmLGW-Jp51OU20epajpNXCHLZmAX-3tCnXs/AI3-HtXRTmSCahRopNheoA.webp?size=large)

## 3 comments

### Moonscar1 commented on 2024-08-09

I’ve never kept a ficus, but in general, the length of the petioles (the part of the stem between growth nodes on a plant) often grows due to a lack of light. i first heard the official term for this when dealing with succulents, but it’s known as etiolation. You could potentially research to see if others have had success in fixing this issue with their plants

#### Bea replied on 2024-08-09

thanks this was helpful! i think you’re right :)

### Hort Specialist commented on 2024-08-10

As Moonscar said lack of light, it’s trying to search for light thus being elongated Needs photosynthesis to grow. More light and a little fertilizer would work 🙂

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