What is plant variegation? How you can encourage it | Indoor Plants | Gardening Australia

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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[@dannyryan6411]

The uniqueness that no two leaves are ever the same is what attracts me to variegation. Feels like you've discovered a new species 😄 . Also love her cute earrings

[@louiscle1622]

My 90+yr old philodendron sported a mosaic. Obviously a viral type but i propogated it none the less. It looks good and seems healthy somehow.

[@timanderson2493]

Refreshing to hear you use the correct term cultivar, as opposed to the overused and incorrect hybrid that too often gets thrown around when discussing plants resulting from breeding programs.

[@wandashaw3551]

I love ❤️ the varigated 🪴, so beautiful 😍.

[@bigtomatoplantslover6205]

Wow beautiful Plants ^^ Like 390 My friend, thank you for good sharing

[@chrisedward3917]

Thanks for valuable information 👍

[@plant_secrets]

so beautiful

[@mrincredibox]

nice gardening friend

[@Suwaphatgarden]

very beautiful

[@ausblue1]

very interesting thanks

[@velerialangbehn6088]

Very nice video. Thanks.

[@OrendaDesignStudio]

Amazing 😍😍😍😍.

[@greenongreentv5611]

So beautiful 🤩🤩😍😍

[@asenpamei1953]

Love your earrings ❤❤❤😊

[@GhY6Sh8]

Now I have Monstera, is there a way to diversify its colors that I can do?

[@1faithchick7]

Epipremnum (pothos) Snow Queen looks like a Marble Queen with more white irl. It does not look anything like that. That was a Pothos n' Joy. I have never heard of a N' Joy 'reverting'. It looks like they stuck a Golden Pothos vine with very little yellow verigation in with the N'Joy to make a point. I don't know why they acted like a N' Joy is a Snow Queen though. They look completely different. N' Joy looks like Pearls and Jade, and niether look like Snow Queen.

[@daveshouse8105]

i caught that part too considering i just learned how it was patented and created. its nuclear mutations!

[@Botanicalgardenkochi]

What about water plants 👍

[@msjithy]

This lady doesnt care for those green leaves at 5:13 when we speak about selling price. Every plant gives life to us and she just said, green leaves are dead to her. I question myself if tthis is a legit gardening channel or business channel.

[@Vultus873]

She probably already had a lot of green and only wanted more variegated ones

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

i don’t like variegation, and i do my best to revert any variegated individuals into all-green. i mean, lack of chlorophyll and/or diseased? i’m not getting plants with disabilities and ridiculously meticulous care edit: for naturally non-variegated plants. naturally variegated plants are alright for me

[@Vultus873]

Instead of reverting back, get rid of them by selling or giving away because most people see a lot of value in them

[@lev2727]

I never understood people's obsession with variegated leaves, most look rather ugly and artificial, to me they often scream "made by humans!".

[@AngelRodriguez-ek6id]

Guess you don't know about plants

[@asmrtpop2676]

I just enjoy the colours! Depends on the plant though. I prefer pink or lime green variegation personally.

[@asmrtpop2676]

Also ironically I prefer my Stromanthe because I have the no. variegated which I never see people have haha.

[@1faithchick7]

Many plants naturally have those colors. Most were found in nature. Just like albino animals are found in nature. Most were not created. They just exist.