Should I trim the brown tips off?

Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.

Does tap water cause brown tips?

Sometimes the chlorine or minerals in tap water can cause issues. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your water quality is poor.

Sweet violet: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check if the air near the plant feels dry or drafty.
Inspect the soil surface for white mineral deposits.
Touch the soil to see if it has been drying out completely between waterings.

Likely causes

Low humidity
Most likely
How to tell: The leaf edges become crisp and turn brown while the rest of the leaf stays green. This often happens in winter when indoor heating dries out the air.
What to do: Place your pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water to increase local humidity. You can also mist the leaves lightly every 2 days.
Fertilizer buildup
Possible
How to tell: Brown tips appear even when the soil feels moist. You might see a white crust on the surface of the soil.
What to do: Flush the soil by running lukewarm water through the pot for 2 minutes to wash out excess salts. Stop fertilizing for 4 to 6 weeks to let the plant recover.

Brown tips on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your sweet 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.

When to worry

It is normal for the oldest, lowest leaves to brown as they age. Worry if the browning is spreading rapidly across new growth.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your sweet violet in a spot with consistent humidity and avoid over fertilizing during the cooler months.

Sweet violet: brown tips? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your sweet 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.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Should I trim the brown tips off?: Yes, you can trim them with clean scissors to keep the plant looking tidy. Just avoid cutting into the healthy green tissue.
Does tap water cause brown tips?: Sometimes the chlorine or minerals in tap water can cause issues. Try using filtered or rainwater if you suspect your water quality is poor.

Why are my sweet violet leaves getting brown tips?