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Sweet violet · Viola odorata

Why are there holes in my sweet violet leaves?

Sweet violets are tasty treats for garden visitors like slugs and snails. Check the undersides of your leaves and the soil surface for these hungry pests.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Inspect the undersides of leaves for tiny insects.
  2. Look for slime trails on the soil around the plant.
  3. Check the plant at night with a flashlight to catch slugs in the act.

Likely causes

  1. Slugs and snails

    Most likely

    How to tell: You will see irregular holes in the leaves and shiny slime trails left behind on the foliage or soil.

    What to do: Pick them off by hand in the early morning or evening. You can also place shallow dishes of beer near the plants to trap them or use iron phosphate pellets.

  2. Aphids

    Possible

    How to tell: Small green or black insects cluster on new growth and the undersides of leaves. They cause the leaves to look distorted or sticky.

    What to do: Spray the plant with a gentle stream of water to knock them off. If they persist, apply insecticidal soap once a week until they are gone.

Pests 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.

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When to worry

Worry if the damage is widespread and the plant stops growing. A few small holes are usually just a minor nuisance.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the area around your violets clear of debris and mulch where slugs like to hide during the day.

Sweet violet: pests? 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I use household soap to kill the pests?
Avoid using harsh dish soaps as they can burn the leaves. Stick to insecticidal soap or a very mild castile soap diluted in water.
Will my plant recover from slug damage?
Yes, sweet violets are resilient. Once you remove the pests, the plant will grow new, healthy leaves.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Sweet violet

Back to the Sweet 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.