Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Check the air humidity near the plant.
- Inspect the soil surface for white mineral crusts.
- Feel the texture of the brown tips.
Likely causes
Low humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The tips become dry, crispy, and brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in winter when heaters are running.
What to do: Place your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water to increase local humidity. Keep the water level below the bottom of the pot so the roots do not sit in water.
Mineral buildup
PossibleHow to tell: The tips turn brown and you might see a white crust on the soil surface or the rim of the pot. This is caused by salts from tap water accumulating over time.
What to do: Switch to using distilled or filtered water for your plants. Flush the soil with plenty of clean water once a month to wash away excess salts.
Find out what's wrong with your african violet
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
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When to worry
If the brown spots are spreading rapidly or turning mushy, it could be a sign of a more serious fungal issue. Minor crispy tips are usually just a reaction to dry indoor air.
Stopping it coming back
Keep your plant away from direct heat vents and use room temperature filtered water to keep the leaves happy.
African Violet: brown tips? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your african violet and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the brown tips?
- Yes, you can trim the brown parts off with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
- Does misting help?
- Misting is not recommended for African Violets because water sitting on the leaves can cause spots or rot. Use a pebble tray instead.
Guides to these causes
More problems with African Violet
- Why is my African Violet not flowering?
- Why are my African Violet's leaves turning yellow?
- Why are there spots on my African Violet leaves?
- Why is my African Violet drooping?
- How do I fix root rot on my African Violet?
- Why is my African Violet growing long and leggy?
- Why is my African Violet losing its leaves?
- How do I get rid of pests on my African Violet?
- Why are my African Violet leaves curling?
Back to the African Violet guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.