Variegated plants have multiple colors – usually on their leaves, but in some cases on stems, flowers, and fruits. Their patterns include lines, dots, edges, and spots. They are usually green with white or yellow, but can also feature red, pink, silver, and others.
Diverse plants can divide opinion. I remember a great aunt who told me many years ago of her great fondness for the variety aspidistra that grows her garden. But I’ve also heard that gardeners and garden designers reject variegated foliage because it doesn’t match their design or color.
Now, indoor variegated plants seem to be a “must-have” accessory for home decor. But before you rush out and buy one, make sure you know how to make her happy.
Understanding Diverse Plants
Most of the plant species are completely green but sometimes a diverse individual arises. Some catch the eye of a specialized plant collector or nursery worker and become a popular variety.
Plant discoloration can occur for several reasons.
In some plants, such as tulips, it is due to a viral infection. The resulting streaks of different colors may be cursed or evaluated depending on the aesthetic effect.
Other plants, such as those in the genus Coleus, are naturally patterned. Clusters of cells produce different color combinations, causing leaves to grow with attractive markings.
Plant variations can also arise from genetic mutation.
When growing variegated plants, it is important to understand how different colors affect the way they work.
The green part of plants contains chlorophyll, which is an essential pigment for photosynthesis. (Photosynthesis, of course, is the process by which leaves convert sunlight into oxygen and carbohydrates that provide energy for plants.)
In variegated plants, the white parts of the leaves do not contain chlorophyll and therefore do not perform photosynthesis.
The yellow parts of the leaves can help send energy to the chlorophyll, but they cannot carry out photosynthesis on their own. The same goes for some red, orange, and pink tissue patches.
But all the cells in the leaf – green or not – use the energy of the plant. This means that diverse plants are less efficient at producing energy than their fully green counterparts, which makes them grow slower.
Some plants turned out to be albino that does not contain chlorophyll. These usually die within a few days or weeks of germination.
Caring for your plants indoors
It is no coincidence that many famous indoor plants are diverse – such as coleus, philodendron, monstera, dracaena, calathea. Since they are usually much less active than the all-green types, they won’t hit the roof in a matter of weeks.
The decorative color and a varied indoor plant pattern is an added bonus.
Varied plants can take longer than others to reach the right size for sale in the nursery, so they may be relatively more expensive. But there are ways to protect your diversified investment.
First, watch out for “back”. This can happen when a variegated plant sends out an all-green image. The shoot will grow quickly compared to the variegated parts and can eventually take over, causing the entire plant to return to green.
To avoid this, carefully remove any green shoots before they grow.
You don’t want variegated plants to grow too quickly out of their space, but remember that they are low in chlorophyll and therefore need good lighting.
And like any indoor plant, be sure to keep its leaves free of fine dust and not give it too much or too little water.
Various plants in the garden
The popularity of indoor variegated plants will almost certainly lead to their increased use outdoors.
Their slow-growing nature means that variegated outdoor plants are usually less likely to be “weedy” and spread out where you don’t want them.
This can be an advantage if you have avoided planting a species because it will dominate the garden. The variegated versions of pittosporum, ficus, and nerium oleander, for example, are less bent on global dominance than their all-green counterparts.
When you grow a variegated plant outdoors, take care that it does not become shaded by other fast-growing plants. Many diverse plants are already struggling with adequate photosynthesis. A little extra shade could damage it or even kill it.
So make sure they get enough light – and often help them by pruning nearby plants.
Grow in flying colors
Diverse plants spend their time in the sun. But their interesting biology is always in fashion!
These plants can brighten your indoor space and provide attractive color and pattern in the garden.
By learning about how diverse plants work and taking into account their specific requirements, you can enjoy them for years to come.
(This is a PTI story promoted via The Conversation)
