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Symptom

Leggy, stretched growth

Stretching is how plants search for light. Seedlings on windowsills, herbs indoors in winter and crowded trays all go leggy.

Almost always light. Warmth and crowding make it worse.

Likely causes

Ordered from the usual answer to the less likely one. Each links to the full problem.

Recorded on Basil

  1. Pale, leggy seedlings stretching towards a window Light & temperature Common

    Too little light

    Leaning, pale, stretched growth.

Less likely on Basil

  1. A lush, dark green pepper plant with many leaves and no fruit Soil & nutrients Less likely

    Too much nitrogen

    Lush, soft, dark growth rather than pale.