Knowledgebase

Learn more about Viola sp with white leaves #927948

Asked April 09, 2026, 4:36 PM EDT

Hi there. I have a lot of violets in my yard in Odenton and today I found the one pictured in attachments. I have not seen this before and am having trouble finding information about this phenomenon online. I was curious if anyone at extension has heard of it or can share more information. Thank you!

Anne Arundel County Maryland

Expert Response

We aren't aware of the specific cause, as there can be many, but possibilities include exposure to certain herbicides (some herbicides work by interfering with the ability of plants to photosynthesize), natural mutation, and viral infection. In this case, given the setting and the presence of only one abnormal plant, herbicide exposure doesn't seem very likely. There are many plant viruses, not all of which kill the host plant, and their impacts on the plant's biology and appearance vary widely as well.

Miri
Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied April 10, 2026, 10:03 AM EDT

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