What Is Variegation and How Do I Care For Variegated Houseplants? Comprehensive Variegation Guide Is Here!

If you've been clued into the houseplant trends on Instagram, then you would have seen some fancy houseplant leaves! Incredible colors, seriously cool patterns and different growing patterns make it more interesting than ever to build your houseplant jungle! Did you know that variegation is one of the key factors in creating those insta-worthy houseplants? People have been known to drop thousands of dollars on variegated species of your common houseplant (think the Monstera Thai Constellation). But, what is variegation, and how do I need to care for variegated houseplants differently?

Our comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the world of variegated houseplants - so read on!

What are Variegated Houseplants?

If you're seeing patterns on the stems or leaves, it is likely due to variegation. Variegation in houseplants refers to the presence of different colors or patterns on the leaves, stems, or even flowers of a plant. This can range from subtle speckles and streaks to bold, dramatic patterns of contrasting colors.

So, Why Are Plants Variegated In The First Place?

There's lots of reasons that a houseplant might be variegated. Here's why plants may be naturally variegated:

Genetic mutation can cause variegation:

In nature, plants can undergo genetic mutations over time. As cells replicate and reproduce, they glitch. These glitches can change the way pigmentation is distributed or products. So whereas a leaf cell may have been green, it has now mutated to become white! As those plants continue to replicate and spread, so does the mutation!

Variegation can be a result of environmental adaptations:

The environment that a plant is in can impact how it grows. Variegation is just another tool that a plant has to adapt to its conditions. For example, if a plant suddenly needs to tolerate higher light conditions, it may throw variegated leaves to adapt the amount of light that it's letting in. After all, only green leaves have the chlorophyll that plants use to absorb sunlight.

Some plants are variegated due to evolution:

In the natural world, plants and animals adapt to their environment over millions of years. These responses are designed to increase their ability to survive. Many scientists talk to variegation as an evolutionary response. For some, it may attract pollinators, which help the plant spread. For others, it may help them dodge plant eating animals, to increase their lifespan. Moral of the story; your houseplant is smarter than you think!

How Does Variegation Occur In Houseplants?

The variations in color or shape usually occur due to differences in pigmentation or the presence of different types of cells in the plant tissues. But, there are a few different types of variegation to be aware of.

Why Are The Different Types of Variegation?

Chlorophyll Variegation: if you're noticing that your plant has white or cream patched amongst the beautiful green, then your houseplant has chlorophyll variegation. The Snow Queen Pothos is a great example of that!
Pigmented Variegation: If your leaves are throwing colors, then it's due to pigments like anthocyanins or carotenoids. You might notice red, pink, yellow and more! The Pink Princess Philodendron is a great example of this!
Mosaic Variegation: if you're seeing patterns on your leaves, it's commonly known as mosaicing. The Calathea Musaica is a good example of this type of variegation.

How Do I Increase Variegation in My Houseplants?

Some houseplants have been bred to really throw out those variegated leaves, but there are some ways that you can encourage your plants to become more variegated. Here are some top tips to follow:

Increase The Amount Of Light For Your Houseplants: because the leaves have less chlorophyll, variegated plants need more light to stay healthy. Make sure that you are giving them bright, indirect light. Keep in mind that highly variegated leaves are often pretty delicate, so sunlight can sometimes scorch them. A nice bright spot with filtered light or a bit of morning sun is going to keep your houseplants healthy.
Use Bioactive Fertilizer: Did you know that houseplants with more variegation have higher nutrient needs? It's a great idea to use We the Wild's Plant Food Bundle to make the most of your variegated houseplant.
Prune Your Houseplants Regularly: an annual haircut will help your houseplant! Often, newer, younger leaves have more variegation, so consider pruning your houseplant.

How Do I Care For My Variegated Houseplants?

Monitor variegated houseplants regularly: It's important to check your houseplants regularly for signs of stress or disease. It's important to note that your variegated houseplants are a bit more sensitive to changes in environment, so keep a special eye out for them.
Don't overcrowd your houseplants: variegated houseplants can get fungal infections, so make sure that there is plenty of air circulation around those leaves.
Clean leaves every month: use our Leaf Cleaning Gloves to wipe dust and toxins off your variegated houseplants. Because they have less ability to absorb light, it's crucial to avoid dust build up, which further blocks those rays from being absorbed.
Avoid harsh leaf shine products: instead of harsh leaf shine products, we recommend that you use a gentle organic formula like We the Wild's Protect Spray with Neem.