What is variegation?Updated 3 years ago

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Variegation is any discoloration of normal plant tissue that appears like patches or streaks. When compared to the "normal" form, variegated plants will have patches, stripes or streaks of some unusual color. These "discolorations" can be gorgeous and highly sought after in ornamental plants.

There are many reasons why a plant might end up variegated, a few of them are listed down below!

• Mutation is the most common reason. There are too many reasons why a mutation like this can occur to list them here. Regardless, these plants are known as "chimera"
• Certain viruses can induce variegation by adding to a plant's DNA. The viruses of more successful variegates are benign to their host plant.
• Induced variegation is a process by which certain compounds are given to a plant to suppress chlorophyll production (the green pigment in plants). This kind of variegation is easily lost

  

• Some plants develop air pockets in their leaves, which refract light, giving the patch a silvery appearance. Interesting, but you won't find it often in succulent plants as that space would be devoted to water storage anyway

It's important to note that variegation can be lost. This process is called "reverting" and it's the plant returning to its natural colors. Strong light and a quick prune of the reverted leaves or offsets can prevent this from happening. Because non-variegated branches have more chlorophyll than variegated ones, they're more likely to take over a plant, if allowed to remain.

Also note (especially if you like growing plants from seeds) that variegation is not passed down from parent to offspring. In practice, this means that if you cross two variegated plants together, the seedlings aren't anymore likely to end up variegated. The vast majority will appear more like the normal form.