Plant Variegation – The Top 5 Things You Should Know!

Collectors and plant lovers have always been fascinated with variegated tropical plants. This is especially true of the very rare varieties/cultivars. Since the Covid pandemic, more and more people have begun to collect these plants. Some are readily available and inexpensive, while others are very rare and command a high price. What is plant variegation, what causes it and how do we care for these beauties?

What is Plant Variegation?

Plant variegation is the result of lack of chlorophyll in certain areas of a leaf or stem. These areas do not photosynthesize. A variegated leaf can be two distinct colors or many different colors. Variegation is not found in all living things. Plants are the most common.

The white or colored areas of a variegated leaf do not absorb chlorophyll. The plant needs to be in bright light to maximize the chlorophyll’s production of food for the plant so it can grow.  During winter you may have to move your variegated plants to a brighter location in your home.     

Causes of Plant Variegation

Plant variegation is primarily the result of genetic mutations that introduce different patterns in the leaves. The variegation can show as not only white, but yellow, pink, red and light green. The lack of chlorophyll enables the naturally occurring pigments in the leaf to show through in different colors. Ex: Ruby Red and Red Star Fittonia.

In some cases environmental factors (such as light, temperature, nutrient imbalances and plant viruses (ex: mosaic virus) can, alone or in combination, create different types of variegation.   Variegation rarely occurs in nature.

New forms of variegated plants are also created by growers who breed different plants together to create new variegated varieties or they introduce variegation by tissue culture. 

Types of Variegation

Natural – This type of variegation begins within a plant’s DNA.  The offspring of these plants will have similar traits to the parent plant. Ex:  Calathes lancifolia (Rattlesnake Plant).

Mosaic Variegation – Random variegated patches or streaks that appear on leaf surfaces. Ex:  Pothos Marble Queen, Golden Pothos, and the many cultivars of Fittonia.

Marginal Variegation – white or colored patterns along leaf edges or margins of the leaves. Ex:  Pothos N’Joy, Variegated Baby Rubber Plant.

Central Variegation – The variegation occurs in the centre of the leaves, usually surrounded by a solid green border. Ex:  Hoya Tricolor, Variegated Hoya Australis.

Blotched Variegation – Large patches of white or colored variegation appear on the leaf surface. Ex:  Croton Petra, Ficus Tineke, Chinese Evergreen ‘Maria’.

Striped Variegation – Long stripes of variegation running down the entire length of the leaves. Ex:  Snake Plant, Prayer Plants, Philo Birkins, and many Calathea varieties/cultivars.

Spotted Variegation – Small dots or spots of variegation scattered across the leaf surface. Ex:  Polka Dot Begonia, Polka Dot Plant, Speckled Cast Iron Plant.

Blister Variegation – A thin layer of air separates the top leaf  from the rest of the leaf tissues, which makes light bounce off the leaf, creating a silvery, shiny effect. This type of variegation has nothing to do with lack of chlorophyll and everything to do with the structure of the leaf. Ex: Scindapsus 

Sectorial Variegation – Variegation appears in distinct sections of a leaf or plant. Ex:  Hoya Krimson Queen, Philodendron Brasil, Philodendron Pink Princess.

Occasionally a plant, such as some Hoya varieties, can produce pure white leaves. This can be an indication that there is not enough light or the plant is stressed due to temperature changes.  Move the plant to a brighter room and prune off any pure white leaves. Excessive white leaf production can also be genetic.  Certain varieties or cultivars may naturally produce more pale or white leaves.

Reversion in Variegated Leaf Plants

Reversion is a loss of leaf variegation and the leaf returns to green.

Usually low light levels will cause reversion in variegated tropicals. The leaves will revert back to green to maximize their chlorophyll production to better photosynthesize.

Sometimes reversion is normal (if only a few leaves) no matter where the plant is located in your home.

Reversion can also be caused by over fertilization. 

If just a few leaves have reverted back to green, prune them off the plant. Reverted leaves cannot revert back to variegated.

If reversion occurs, move the plant to a brighter location and prune off any solid green leaves which will hopefully promote new variegated growth. There is no guarantee that the new leaves will be variegated.

Care and Propagation of Variegated Plants

The cultural care of any variegated tropical plant is primarily based on the plant’s genus, species and variety/cultivar.

However, there are a few care requirements that all variegated plants share. Most variegated plants require the brightest indirect light you can give them. No direct sun.

Variegated plants require a soil that is well draining. Too much water can cause root rot and ugly brown leaf patches. Soil preferences are unique to each plant so do your research regarding your plant’s preferred soil mix.

Variegated plants are usually slow growers. With this in mind, they do not require repotting as often as their green counterparts. Less photosynthesis = slower growth. They can go for longer stretches between watering than solid green plants. Slower growth = less water use. Use room temperature water that has sat out on the counter for a couple of days to let the chemicals dissipate into the air.

Repot in spring and early summer.

Fertilize during the spring and summer growing seasons with an all-purpose water soluble tropical plant fertilizer. Time it so you fertilize after a regular watering.

Like most tropicals, avoid placing variegated plants in drafts – hot or cold. Home temperatures should range between 18 and 27 degrees C.

Keep leaves clean – wipe down the front and back of each leaf with a soft cloth and water. For those plants with fuzzy leaves, use a very soft paintbrush. Smooth leaf varieties can be given a warm shower once a month.

Propagating Variegated Plants

Depending on the plant, propagation of variegated plants can be done by stem cuttings, tip cuttings or division.

The easiest way to get a new variegated plant is by propagating cuttings from the variegated portions of the plant. Propagate in spring and early summer.