---
title: "This thing (polka dot plant) has me stumped. The middle piece grows…"
description: "This thing (polka dot plant) has me stumped. The middle piece grows fast and stands tall but looks leggy. The light is right above it, about 1-2” above the…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/fQ8UzH6YffYUqoZ3lRimVL"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Timber Plant💕"
published: "2025-11-03T19:31:13.846303Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/TJWIg6KC4zkUD8-LHhQWNDCxBVZMlp_F5mjW6CkhDZk/FNybm3AkTW2GkfVb_8XgwA.webp?size=large"
---

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# This thing (polka dot plant) has me stumped. The middle piece grows…

_Posted by Timber Plant💕 on 2025-11-03_

This thing (polka dot plant) has me stumped. The middle piece grows fast and stands tall but looks leggy. The light is right above it, about 1-2” above the tallest part of the plant and every other day I have to move the light further up because the plant has grown enough to touch it. The lower parts of the plant trail out like vines with only a few being able to stand up. I got it as a tiny plant and it stayed reasonably small until I repotted it and gave it its own light and now it’s taking over. 🤣 help!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/TJWIg6KC4zkUD8-LHhQWNDCxBVZMlp_F5mjW6CkhDZk/FNybm3AkTW2GkfVb_8XgwA.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Ellie commented on 2025-11-03

Try cutting back some of the vine like stems and take away the bright light and maybe cut down the tallest middle stem

### Phil commented on 2025-11-04

Polka dot plants get leggy and need to be pinched back frequently to encourage more bushy growth. But too late for that now so maybe your best bet is cutting way back. Otherwise the plant is never going to look good. I would research to see if it viable to cut all the way back to soil.

#### Phil replied on 2025-11-04

Quick research suggests to cut back stems to about 4 or 5 inches. Then propagate the stems.

### D. Leigh commented on 2025-11-04

I have one of these and I have the same issue with it getting leggy. I've been cutting it down and replanting the cuttings back onto the soil. I hope this helps, but mine is still pretty even if it's not like most of the photos show it should be! Good luck!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/uq74nVOKyjLiWz7WlBvZzB2PPDqC-laKZ-Gni04147g/MX8oRisfS6mP3vefn5YirQ.webp?size=large)

#### Kelly replied on 2025-11-04

Do you let the cuttings root in water first or just stick them right into the soil? I'm trying to get mine to fill in and it looks terrible whenever I prune it back.

### D. Leigh commented on 2025-11-04

I have found they work better just putting them back into the soil. When I tried putting them into water, they rotted.

### Coffeemistress commented on 2026-10-04

I have a cutting of mine in a cloche on my coffee table the light hits most of the day, she loves it, maybe give her a little haircut and grow some babies to share!

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