Apical dominance is a phenomenon in botany where the main, central stem of a plant is dominant over other side stems, and on a branch, the main stem of the branch is further dominant over its own side twigs. It is the control exerted by the terminal bud (and shoot apex) over the outgrowth of lateral buds. Apical dominance occurs when the shoot apex inhibits the growth of lateral buds so that the plant may grow vertically. It is important for the plant to devote energy to growing upward so that it can get more light to undergo photosynthesis. If the plant utilizes available energy for growing upward, it may be able to outcompete other individuals in the vicinity. Plants that were capable of outcompeting neighboring plants likely had higher fitness.

Auxins, a type of plant hormone, play a crucial role in apical dominance. The apical bud produces auxin in abundance, which is transported basipetally from the apical bud. The auxin causes the lateral buds to remain dormant. Removal of the apex can induce lateral growth. Typically, a shoot has leaves attached to a stem. The apex of the stem has an actively growing apical bud. It produces additional nodes and internodes to add to the length of the shoot. Additional leaves appear at the nodes as they are produced. In some plants, the lateral bud located in the axil of each leaf does not grow to form branches, especially at first. This condition is known as strong apical dominance.

Occasionally, strong apical dominance is advantageous, as in the "Ballerina" apple trees. These trees are intended to be grown in small gardens, and their strong apical dominance combined with a dwarfing rootstock gives a compact narrow tree with very short fruiting side branches.

In summary, apical dominance is a condition where vertical growth supersedes lateral growth in a plant, controlled by auxins, where in high concentrations can inhibit growth but on the whole promote it. Removal of the apex can induce lateral growth. Typically, a shoot has leaves attached to a stem. The apex of the stem has an actively growing apical bud. It produces additional nodes and internodes to add to the length of the shoot. Additional leaves appear at the nodes as they are produced. In some plants, the lateral bud located in the axil of each leaf does not grow to form branches, especially at first. This condition is known as strong apical dominance.