Leggy, Stretched Growth
Long gaps between leaves and weak, reaching stems (etiolation) are a plant’s response to insufficient light, not a growth spurt to celebrate.
Common causes
Too little light
Stems stretch toward the nearest light source instead of filling out. Move the plant closer to a window or add a grow light.
No pruning or pinching
Vining plants left untrimmed keep extending a single stem rather than branching. Pinch or cut just above a node to force bushier growth.
Old, established growth
Some legginess is simply age — older stems on fast growers like pothos or tradescantia naturally thin out. Take cuttings from the healthy tips and start fresh alongside the parent plant.