Can I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.

Is my plant getting too much sun?

Verbena bonariensis loves full sun, so it is rarely the cause of brown tips. It is much more likely to be a water or soil issue.

Purpletop vervain: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture to see if it is too dry.
Review your recent fertilizing schedule.
Check the plant location to see if it is exposed to drying winds.

Likely causes

Inconsistent Watering
Most likely
How to tell: The tips of the leaves turn brown and crispy while the rest of the leaf looks dull. This occurs when the plant swings between being very dry and very wet.
What to do: Establish a consistent watering schedule of every 7 to 14 days. Water deeply so the moisture reaches the entire root ball.
Fertilizer Burn
Possible
How to tell: The tips turn brown and look scorched shortly after applying fertilizer. This happens when too much salt accumulates in the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil with plenty of plain water to wash away excess salts. Avoid fertilizing for the rest of the season.

Find out what's wrong with your purpletop vervain

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.

When to worry

If the browning moves inward toward the center of the leaf, the plant is struggling significantly. It is normal for the tips to brown slightly at the end of a long, hot summer.

Stopping it coming back

Water deeply and consistently throughout the growing season. Use fertilizer sparingly to avoid salt buildup.

Keep your purpletop vervain healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Can I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim the brown parts with clean scissors. Just be careful not to cut into the healthy green tissue.
Is my plant getting too much sun?: Verbena bonariensis loves full sun, so it is rarely the cause of brown tips. It is much more likely to be a water or soil issue.

Why are my Verbena bonariensis leaf tips turning brown?