What's a variegated plant and why are they SO popular!?
Variegated plants are all the rage, and some can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. What are they and are they worth the cost?
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Gardening has surged in popularity in recent years, and during that time there's been a rise in demand for rare plants, specifically variegated plants.
What's a variegated plant?
These striking plants have a patchwork of cream, pink, white, yellow, and green that set it apart from their normal, green form. These colors are often the result of genetic mutations that affect chlorophyll distribution. The white or lighter patches on leaves lack chlorophyll. Because of this, variegated plants often grow more slowly and are much rarer in nature.
For a while, it was hard for supply to meet demand, and the cost for variegated houseplants like Monstera "Thai Constellation" and Philodendron Pink Princess soared!
Monstera "Thai Constellation" is known for its large, fenestrated leaves (that means it has holes in the leaves!) splashed with creamy white marbling. This plant is propagated by cuttings, which means all these plants are genetically identical and are more affordable.
Philodendron "Pink Princess" is another collector plant, with deep green leaves and random, vivid pink splashes. Its variegation comes from a chimeric mutation, which is less predictable. This climbing aroid thrives with bright indirect light to maintain its bold coloration. That makes it a great houseplant!
Did you know some common plants like bananas can also be variegated? I'm growing a variety called Musa 'Florida'. This plant is a showstopper with huge leaves streaked in shades of green, cream, and white. The fruit will be variegated too!
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to the plant world, it’s easy to see why variegated plants captured so much attention during the pandemic. They’re rare, beautiful, and each one is unique!
