Tammy explains the different varieties of variegation found in plants, and how to maintain and encourage this stunning feature. Subscribe 🔔 ab.co/GA-subscribe
Variegated plants are all the range in the indoor plant world, with some individual cuttings selling for hundreds if not thousands of dollars! Beyond the hype of these amazing plants, variegation is truly one of the most fascinating aspects of plant growth and Tammy looks at how and why it occurs.
Variegation is when a plant displays two or more colours on it’s leaves, stems or flowers. There are a few reasons why this might happen:
Disease:
Some splashes of colour can be a symptom of a virus. This is often seen in camellia leaves, but it doesn’t affect the health of the plant. In other plants such as tulips, mosaic viruses can cause beautiful yet deadly patterns!
Yellowing, or chlorosis, can also be a sign of nutrient deficiency or moisture stress.
Lack of chlorophyll:
Chlorophyll is a green pigment responsible for photosynthesis - it’s important! But genetic mutations can cause areas of plants to grow without it, creating remarkable patterns of white, yellow and pale green. Most plants can continue to thrive if they also have plenty of green left.
These mutations can change and may not be passed on new plants through propagation. This is the case with Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’ where new plants from cuttings may revert to green. Other popular plants like Epipremnum ‘Snow Queen’ can revert to green but it’s an easy fix - simply cut back the green parts to where the plant growth is variegated.
Many variegated cultivars have been bred so that the mutations are more stable and remain when they are propagated, such as the Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’.
Spontaneous variegation:
Some plants like mini monsteras and syngoniums are known for producing random splotches of variegation. If you find a good one you might be able to encourage more! Check all over the plant, on both sides of the leaves and stems. Tiny speckles are unlikely to continue growing but strong streaks of white or light green that cover most the leaf and its stem have a good chance of leading to more. Simply take a cutting and remove the non-variegated growth.
Permanent variegation:
Markings on some plants such as calatheas and dieffenbachias are permanent and are the result of thousands of years of adapting to a specific environment - and some from us breeding them to be extra showy! There are many reasons such as deterring herbivores from eating them. Others have developed intricate cellular structures where air pockets are formed between cells to improve how they absorb and reflect light. This is also known as ‘blister variegation’ and is commonly seen in begonias and scindapsus species.
Whilst this variegation is permanent, it can change depending on the environment. Too much or too little light can lead to variegation fading and is a useful sign that your plant might not be in the best spot.
Variegation is a window into how plants grow and react to their environment, and something very special to add to your collection!
Featured Plants:
- Alocasia ‘Frydek Variegata’
CAMELLIA - Camellia cv.
TULIP - Tulipa cv.
MONSTERA - Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’
MONSTERA - Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’
- Epipremnum aureum ‘Snow Queen’
MINI MONSTERA - Rhaphidophora tetrasperma
ARROWHEAD - Syngonium cv.
DUMB CANE - Dieffenbachia cv.
ANGEL WING BEGONIA - Begonia cv.
Filmed on Bidjigal Country & Rockdale, NSW
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25 ноя 2022
