For a large class of reaction–diffusion systems with large diffusivity ratio, it is well known that a two-dimensional stripe (whose cross-section is a one-dimensional homoclinic spike) is unstable and breaks up into spots. Here, we study two effects that can stabilize such a homoclinic stripe. First, we consider the addition of anisotropy to the model. For the Schnakenberg model, we show that (an infinite) stripe can be stabilized if the fast-diffusing variable (substrate) is sufficiently anisotropic. Two types of instability thresholds are derived: zigzag (or bending) and break-up instabilities. The instability boundaries subdivide parameter space into three distinct zones: stable stripe, unstable stripe due to bending and unstable due to break-up instability. Numerical experiments indicate that the break-up instability is supercritical leading to a ‘spotted-stripe’ solution. Finally, we perform a similar analysis for the Klausmeier model of vegetation patterns on a steep hill, and examine transition from spots to stripes. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Dissipative structures in matter out of equilibrium: from chemistry, photonics and biology (part 2)’.