---
title: "My pilea seems healthy and even has a pup. But I’m curious why it’s…"
description: "My pilea seems healthy and even has a pup. But I’m curious why it’s not full like others I’ve seen. It will sometimes lose a lower leaf branch and they don’t…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/658f50d1f2be1c4832a3d533"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Scott Brown"
published: "2023-12-29T23:05:53.031Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/LO3HBfxWonVtQpJrLWgK6frHkzZPGlzupThIocuM-w4/cc589c3d407847b58d342b7b8688c0aa.webp?size=large"
---

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# My pilea seems healthy and even has a pup. But I’m curious why it’s…

_Posted by Scott Brown on 2023-12-29_

My pilea seems healthy and even has a pup. But I’m curious why it’s not full like others I’ve seen. It will sometimes lose a lower leaf branch and they don’t grow back. So it now looks more elongated than full. Is this just normal and how they are? Will it take more pups to give it that fuller look?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/LO3HBfxWonVtQpJrLWgK6frHkzZPGlzupThIocuM-w4/cc589c3d407847b58d342b7b8688c0aa.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### SharonE commented on 2023-12-29

Mine has gotten a bit leggy too. I actually increased the light.

### Nat commented on 2023-12-30

Mine lost all its leaves recently not sure what happened was really bushy

#### Jessy replied on 2023-12-30

Me too, don’t trust what Pinterest says! Lol

### Lindsey commented on 2023-12-30

I’ve had a few of these lovelies for a couple years now, and what’s worked well for me is- lots of bright light, regular plant food, chunky well-draining soil, water when almost completely dry. Also, make sure the soil doesn’t get too compacted. Often leggy can mean they’re reaching for light. 🌿☀️

#### Scott Brown replied on 2023-12-30

Mine has always been close to an east window. And I have grow lamps in the area as well.

### Plants are friends commented on 2023-12-30

The way it’s growing it’s trying to find the light it needs, maybe move it or put a grow light on it? Also turn it around every time you water it so it will stand up straight

### Steph commented on 2024-01-05

Leggy plants tend to mean they are not getting enough light. It looks like you’ve got grow lights on(?). Grow lights only emit what would be consider like partial sun and I find these babes do better with lots of sun to keep them more compact and bushy. Do you have a bright window by chance? Or maybe try moving it closer to the grow lamp?

#### Scott Brown replied on 2024-01-05

It’s always been kept 3-4’ from a pair of east and southeast windows plus grow lights. It’s grown like this since I got it. Never been full. I even chopped it one time and re-rooted so I could plant it lower so it don’t look like a tree LOL

#### Steph replied on 2024-01-05

Mine sits in a partially obstructed north facing window. So she gets bright light but not long exposure as the sun goes behind my neighbors trees. She is nice in bushy especially in comparison to the one I have that sat a few feet from my east facing window in a guest room. She looks more like yours and has subsequently been moved. Maybe try slowly moving it closer to the window and see if it tolerates more light well?

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