10 Variegated Houseplants That Pack the Most Visual Interest

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school houseplants can be a rewarding rocking horse . Plants have proven wellness benefits , include air purification , stress relief , and even help with sleep . However , for plant buff who already have every gardenvariety of pothosand philodendron filling their home ’s shelves and are looking for just the plant to spice thing up visually , they ’ll be hard - pressed to witness any varieties more sympathetic than indoor variegated plants , some of which are thebest houseplantsaround .

What Are Variegated Plants?

First , though , what does “ variegated ” mean when it comes to houseplants ? Variegated plants boast wide-ranging or multicolor leaves , often establish one self-coloured color , such as unripened , plus another “ accent ” gloss . These vividness combos can include contrast shade of dark-green , such as emerald and lime , as well as yellow , pink , red , purple , and white in patterns that rate from random sections to stripes , blotches , smudge , and borders .

While variegated plants often only feature two colors , some can show three or more color on the same folio . coloration and patterns on a works with variegate leaves can also alter depending on faint exposure and the time of yr .

What Causes Variegation?

The broad variation in the color of works leaves occurs due to a lack of chlorophyll in some of the plant life ’s cells . Chlorophyll contain the pigment that gives plant their green colour . There are three main crusade for chlorophyll inadequacy : genetic mutation , viral infection , and natural diversification .

transmitted chromosomal mutation : cubicle variation can come as a genetical mutation or as a random mutation , known as a chimeric gene . Genetic mutations betoken that a plant ’s color is unchanging and that its offshoots will also carry this genetic mutation , whether that is a solid coloring like red ink or purple , or a variegation .

A chimeric mutation is unstable , which mean that if a new industrial plant is propagate from a variegated one , only cuttings from variegated shoot will carry the fresh trait . Otherwise , new plants will not feature the variegation .

variegated plants - variety of houseplants

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Viral infection : Although a fairly rare form of diversification , it is potential for flora to have color leaves or veins as the answer of a viral infection . Like a genetic mutant , this is considered a stable variegation .

Natural variegation : Some plant give rise variegated leaf colors because of a radiation diagram - gene present tense in the plant ’s DNA . This can be a resultant of yr of adaptation to live in the wilderness . In some cause , variegation give plants an vantage over other green potpourri .

Why Plants Lose Their Variegation

A variegated plant that has a stable , genetic mutant will continue to produce offshoots of plants that also display this genetic sport . Sometimes , specially amongfast - growing houseplant , they may revert to a solid colour . This is often do by insufficient light .

Variegated industrial plant with an precarious mutation will eventually revert back to solid - green plant life . This is a technique some plants rely on to get enough chlorophyll to survive . unsound mutations are generally less common because a lack of chlorophyll lowers a plant life ’s chance for endurance in nature .

Tips for Caring for Variegated Plants

Many indoor variegated plants descend from tropic environments , so they ’re often grow in greenhouses where temperature and humidity are maintained at an optimum level . If throw an indoor grow house is n’t desirable or feasible , though , there are several agency to give your variegate houseplants the right amounts of light and humidity .

1. Variegated String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

Sometimes called the rosary vine , this plant get its name from tiny heart - shape folio that appear spaced out along the vines . It ’s semi - lush , so it ’s unspoilt to lease it dry out out entirely between waterings . The variegated leaves are pale green with silvery veins and edges distort pink or even purple . It also blooms ( mosty in summertime and declivity ) with interesting , upright , tubular pink flowers . Give it bright indirect light .

2. Snake Plant (Dracaenatrifasciata)

Quite possibly one of the light , most forgiving houseplants , allvarieties of snake plantsare low maintenance and can tolerate intermediate to low light as well as infrequent lachrymation . This variety sports mysterious green leaf ransack with yellow bound . If a ophidian works is listed for purchase asSansevieria trifasciata , it is one and the same ; this plant was classified as such until very recently .

3. Red Congo Philodendron (Philodendron‘Congo Rojo’)

A straight centerpiece of any room , the Red Congo Philodendron sport farsighted green leaves that can be vary with mystifying emerald , contrasting with spectre of white , pink , and even reddish - Orange River . The bow of thisphilodendron varietyare a deep ruby-red color . The plant prefer vivid spark and even a small morning sunlight , regular H2O , and logical humidity .

4. Variegated Monstera (Monsteradeliciosa)

A issue of species of monsteras have motley leaves , usually in shade of dark-green , clean , and chickenhearted . Monsteradeliciosa‘Thai Constellation ’ is one of the most dependable , with white and pallid yellow patterns on nearly every foliage . Aurea features standardized patterns but with a smart yellow . The trueMonsteradeliciosa‘Variegata ’ plant is the result of a genetic mutation and is seldom sold , since it can mutate back to a standard green monstera . All varieties know bright sparkle , humidness , and warm indoor temperature .

5. Prayer Plant (Marantaleuconeura)

One of the more unequalled houseplant , the Prayer Plant is appoint for the fact that the leaves curl up at night , as if in appeal . The consistent diversification of the parting includes red vein against two - tone , velvety dark-green farewell with a purple underside ( seeable when they curl up ) . It is semi - vining and makes a great hanging basketful plant as it catch older . Give it indirect bright lighter , regular piss , and spate of humidness .

6. Watermelon Peperomia (Peperomiaargyreia)

This cute picayune plant gets its name from the variegation of dark green telephone circuit against round , brighter green leaves , ca-ca it front a routine like a watermelon . Peperomias like medium light , regular water , and at least some humidness . A versatile variegated houseplant , it looks big in groupings with improbable plant life and seldom needs repotting since it likes being pot - bound .

7. Variegated String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus f. variegatus)

For the houseplant aficionado who has everything , this unique tracking flora is a bonus , but a footling gruelling to come by . Further , no two are alike . Until lately , String of Pearls was namedSenecio rowleyanus , and can appear for sales event by either name . The tiny pea - sized pearls of the variegated type can have shadowiness of purple and pinkish or swirls of white .

They need collateral luminousness or early morning sun , and should be water only when all dry to the touch . Expect this twine of Pearls to produce more slowly than its nonvariegated relatives .

8. Rattlesnake Plant (Goeppertia insignis)

Formerly known as acalatheaand commonly refer to as a supplication plant because it provoke and take down its leaves from day to night , the Rattlesnake Plant is one of those genuinely singular plants that is actually pretty easy to wish for . They have long , minute lime - colored leaves splotched with deep William Green . Rattlesnake plants like bright light , regular water , and a little extra humidness .

9. Variegated English Ivy (Hedera helix‘Variegata’)

Variegated English Ivy can rise outdoors in USDA Zones 4 to 10 , but it is often celebrate as a houseplant . Popular around the holidays , the obscure green leave edge with white or yellow come along in nurseries as trailing plants for topiaries . English Hedera helix can tolerate cooler indoor temperatures but will take regular mist to serve prevent mites . plant grown indoors do n’t always make it out of doors in cold snaps , so choose an outdoor - produce variety for windowpane boxes and stick to the indoor garden motley for variegated indoor plants .

10. Variegated White Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia alba)

One of the rarest of the indoor plants with variegated leaves , thisbig houseplantdevelops random clean or yellow variegation on the leaf . The plant makes a tremendous , showy houseplant and is as easy to like for as the nonvariegated variety . Give them bright light , stack of room to grow , and keep the soil moist but not soggy . cloud the plant regularly , since they love humidness .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll facilitate you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raise bed , or an in - ground plot of ground out back — and select the right industrial plant for your ground and region .

variegated plants - hand holding leaves