Learn all about beautiful indoor variegated (different colored) plants. This video shares information on how houseplants become variegated with different color leaves and how to maintain the variegation in your houseplants. See various variegated houseplants and learn more about them. Also see variegated African violet flowers. Tips for maintaining variegation in your houseplants include keeping them in the proper light. Also learn the reasons why houseplants will lose their variegation.
Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening and the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by an Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the comment section below.
Today, I’m going to talk to you about variegated foliage plants. The really cool thing about plants with variegated foliage is that they can simulate flowers. When you’re glancing around your house plant kingdom and have variegated plants, especially those with colors in the floral range, it looks like you have flowering plants in your home. This adds a nice floral look to your home. I have another video where I talk about using variegated foliage to decorate your home, which I really enjoy. The different colors and ranges, like this croton here with its deeper jewel tones, greens, pinkish, red, and maroon colors, allow for diverse and vibrant home decor.
Sometimes, viewers ask me where variegation comes from. Variegation in leaf color generally comes from a lack of green pigment, or chlorophyll, in some of the plant cells. This is not necessarily an adaptation to its environment but a result of cell mutation. It can also be an inherited genetic trait. If it’s genetic, the color change will remain stable, meaning that propagating a variegated plant like this croton will produce the same plant repeatedly.
Random mutations can also cause variegation, but propagating these may not yield the same plant. Plant breeders propagate plants that produce the same color consistently, while also experimenting with random mutations to see what happens. If a plant has a viral infection, it can also show variegation. This is common in roses, which get strange patterns on their leaves. However, this is more rare in houseplants and generally not stable for propagation.
Now, let me show you some more cool variegated plants. This is a variegated pothos, which is usually seen in limey or dark green. The creamy mixed with green look is gorgeous. Many dracaenas are variegated, like this one with limey and dark green edges. Our lovely spider plant, Lucy, features cream down the center and green striping on the outer side of the leaf.
There are different shapes of leaves with variegation, such as the arrowhead plant with its pinky color variegation along the midrib and veining. Some plants may also have variegated flowers, like this African violet with dark purple inside and white margins on the outside. Not all species have variegated forms, but many do, like the dracaenas, African violets, and Chinese evergreen.
To keep the variegation strong, provide the ideal lighting. Most of these plants prefer medium light. Too much light can cause burn spots, while too little can make the variegation revert to green. Proper lighting, watering, and fertilizing help maintain the health and variegation of the plant.
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