10 VARIEGATED PLANTS I WANT TO HAVE IN MY COLLECTION

When it comes to indoor plant collection, variegated plants can add so much character to it. Some varieties of variegated plants are also highly sought after due to the rarity of the species and their unique looks.

Variegation refers to the occurrence of different colors in plant leaves, resulting in striking patterns that can range from subtle speckles to bold stripes. This remarkable phenomenon is a result of genetic mutations or variations in chlorophyll production, leading to patches or streaks of pigmentation in the leaves. The result is a visually captivating display that adds depth and character to any plant collection.

They feature varying shades of greens, whites, reds, yellows, and other colors that will leave you in awe. While some of the rare variegated plants can be considered collector’s plants, there are plenty that are budget-friendly and can add plenty of intrigue to your indoor garden. Many variegated houseplants are also low maintenance, making them a great option for new houseplant owners.

Here are 10 variegated plants that you might want to consider adding to your plant collection.

1. Philodendron Ring of Fire

This stunning Philodendron Ring of Fire features jagged-edged foliage that

comes in multiple colors including red, orange, dark green, light green, white, and cream. The leaves resemble a fiery ring and may grow up to 16 inches in width and up to 24 inches in length. It is a low-maintenance plant that thrives in various lighting conditions. The variegation seems very stable compared with its cousin Philodendron Caramel Marble.

2. Monstera Albo Borsigiana

Monstera Albo is a rare and elusive plant that many plant collectors love and adore. This variegated Monstera is at the top of many wish lists around the world’s plant collectors thanks to its stunning foliage with its brilliant bright white variegation, fenestration (holes) when matured, and long striped stems. As beautiful as it sounds, however, the variegation of the Monstera Albo is not very stable, it’s hardly reverted but can be very different from one leaf to another in the same plants.

3. Monstera Aurea

The yellow, light-green, and dark-green variegation occurs in a similar pattern to what you’d expect to find on Monstera Aurea, with blocks and splashes of variegation and some leaves that are solidly half and half. The Monstera Aurea are harder to find than white-and-green variegated monsteras. Variegation is a spontaneous mutation that only occurs in some plants, so you cannot grow a variegated monstera, including Monstera Aurea, from seed. All Monstera Aurea plants are grown from cuttings or tissue cultures of other variegated plants.

However, you may have success propagating this plant with a cutting, as it’s said to root more readily than other variegated monstera varieties and almost always continues to produce variegation on new leaves.

4. Monstera Thai Constellation

This stunning yellow-to-white variegated Monstera Deliciosa was created in a lab. It was specifically created in a tissue culture laboratory in Thailand. This is the reason why it has ‘Thai’ in its name. This magnificent plant stands out in any indoor garden thanks to its distinctive variegation, which includes bright white or cream splotches and splashes on its dark green leaves. And thanks to its origins, the Monstera Thai Constellation also cannot be grown with seeds.

5. Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated

Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated has striking variegated leaves in cream and yellow hues. The leaves are an elongated heart shape, each one with unique and beautiful variegation. Variegated Burle Marx is a beautiful plant that requires bright, indirect light to thrive. While it can tolerate lower light levels, doing so for an extended period can cause the plant's variegation to revert. So, it's essential to choose a bright corner in a room that receives plenty of sunlight but not direct light

6. Philodendron Florida Beauty

The Philodendron Florida Beauty is a hybrid variety with attractive dark-green leaves and red-gnarled stems. These plants get very big and are climbers that can be grown against a moss pole.

It’s essential to get the lighting right when growing a Florida Beauty. If the light levels are too low, the plant will turn green and lose its variation. These plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. In ideal conditions, your plant will grow leaves with a lush green color with a cream variation.

Philodendron Florida Beauty thrives in moist soil. The topsoil should be left to dry out between watering provides around 60% to 90% humidity.

7. Philodendron Ilsemanii

Philodendron Ilsemanii is a highly sought-after plant known for its unique leaf structure and coloration. While its price tag may seem steep compared to other plants, the Philodendron Ilsemanii is worth the investment for any plant enthusiast.

One of the reasons why Philodendron Ilsemanii is expensive is because of its rarity. This plant is native to a small region in Ecuador, and it's not widely available in nurseries or plant stores. This makes it a highly coveted item for plant collectors, and as demand increases, so does its price. Additionally, the plant requires specialized care, making it even more difficult to propagate and

grow in large quantities. Another reason for the high price of Philodendron Ilsemanii is that the plant's unique and striking appearance. The leaves are a deep green color with prominent silver veins that create an intricate pattern.

8. Syngonium Pink Splash

The Syngonium Pink Splash is a charming houseplant, easily identifiable by its arrow-shaped leaves, with a pointed front end and a broader, lobed stem end. This fast-growing species is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Ecuador, and the West Indies, with deep green leaves and a paint-like pink “splash,” hence the name. These spots are known as variegation, meaning some of the plant cells have less chlorophyll, and therefore, the whole leaf is not solid green but rather exhibits a pattern or variation in color.

9. Syngonium Mojito

Syngonium Mojito is a fascinating plant with arrow-shaped leaves that showcase an array of colors. Its leaves display a unique mixture of cream, green, and white hues, resembling the look of a marbled Mojito cocktail, hence its name. It has become increasingly popular among indoor plant enthusiasts. With its distinctive leaf patterns and vibrant color splashes, it adds a touch of tropics to any space.

10. Stromanthe TrioStar

With its pink, cream, and green variegated leaves, the Stromanthe TrioStar adds a touch of tropical elegance to your collection.

Stromanthe Triostar care can be a challenge, but it will reward you with its impressive, full variegate foliage with vibrant shades of pink and green. A member of the prayer plant family, the Triostar folds its leaves up at night, and it can often be confused with the similar calathea plant. Triostars grow best in warm, humid conditions. Keeping the soil constantly moist, but not waterlogged, is preferable.

While variegated plants are undeniably beautiful, they do require specific care to thrive indoors.

Here are some general tips to ensure the well-being of your variegated companions.

Light: Variegated plants often prefer bright, indirect light. Due to a lack of chlorophyll, the variegated plants will need more sunlight to convert into energy through the process of photosynthesis. Also, the lack of chlorophyll means that the leaves will be more photosensitive and prone to scorching. If you aren’t able to provide enough natural sunlight, a full-spectrum grow light can help. Make sure your plants get at least 8 hours of bright light per day.

Watering: Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before watering, and adjust the frequency based on the plant's requirements

Humidity: These are tropical plants that make their home in the rainforest, so they do best in fairly warm and humid conditions. The ideal temperature would be from 18oC to 24oC. Humidity maintains from 60% to 90%.

Soil: These plants love in well-drain soil mix. You can make your potting mix from scratch including orchid bark, coir, perlite, activated charcoal, and worm castings.

Fertilizer: Feed the plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during growing seasons.

Incorporating variegated plants into your indoor spaces is a delightful way to connect with nature and elevate the aesthetics of your home. These plants not only serve as decorative elements but also contribute to a healthier and more vibrant living environment. As you embark on your indoor gardening journey, explore the diverse world of variegated plants, and let their unique patterns and colors breathe life into your home.

CARING FOR INDOOR PLANTS CAN HELP YOU REDUCE YOUR STRESS

Have you ever had a bad day? Maybe your day started well. Then somewhere in the day, it seemed to begin spiraling out of control. In those moments, we think the world is out to get us. Truthfully, we all have not-so-great days.

Feeling stressed from time to time is something that we can all relate to. Stress is also something that we can manage with the help of our indoor plants.

A peek into the science

In 2015, four researchers collaborated on a study that concluded that "active interaction with indoor plants can reduce physiological and psychological stress compared with mental work."

An experiment was conducted for the study. The experiment compared the physiological responses between two 15-minute tasks: 1) a plant-based task and 2) a computer-based task. On the first day, 12 males were asked to tend to some indoor plants while the other 12 worked on a computer task. Then on day two, they swapped tasks.

The data concluded that subjects that worked with the plants by transplanting them had a lower diastolic blood pressure than those that worked with the computers. [A rise in blood pressure can indicate stress.] Plus, other benefits were experienced, including a sense of calm.

What happens to our body when we care for plants

One of the systems that run for us around the clock is our nervous system. It is an ongoing balance between two parts: parasympathetic and sympathetic. Think of parasympathetic as being in control when you are calm, cool, and collected. And when you aren't like during periods of stress, the sympathetic nervous system is likely more active.

The parasympathetic nervous system is more robust when you care for your plants. It is responsible for the relaxed feeling you get when tending to your plants.

Four ways to care for your indoor plants

We know that our plants need basics like light, water, and nutrients from indoor plant food. Here are four more ways that you can care for your plants.

1. Dust your plants

There are tiny particles of dust floating around in the air in your home. Each day, some of them will fall onto the leaves of your plants. They may be more noticeable on plants with larger-sized foliage like a Fiddle Leaf Fig.

As the dust accumulates, your plants will become less effective at absorbing the natural light in your home that they need to photosynthesize and grow. This also happens to plants in your outdoor garden. Luckily, the wind and rain rinse away the dust for the outdoor plants.

Your indoor plants need some help from you to routinely remove the dust. Use a duster to brush your plants lightly and remove the dust.

2. Remove old leaves

Remember that plants are living things. Eventually, a leaf or two will start to expire and begin to die. This can be worrisome, especially for our prized rare plants. Here is an easy way to know if this is a natural process or something else to be concerned about.

- Is my plant continuing to grow new leaves?

- Is my plant slowly expiring a leaf [the leaf begins to yellow and turns brown over a few days]?

In other words, seeing new leaves grow while a leaf or two is expiring is normal. Allow the plant to absorb the leaf and remove it once it is brown. However, if you spot a significant portion of leaves dying, you want to dig in to understand what has changed.

3. Mist your plants

Our homes provide year-round comfort for us. During the summertime, our air conditioning will cool the warm air. As the seasons change and summer hands off to fall and then the winter, our homes will be heated. The cooling and warming change the humidity in our homes, which means the air is drier.

A spray bottle with rain or distilled water is a simple yet effective tool for helping your plants adjust to the fluctuations in the humidity. Adjust the nozzle on the spray bottle, making a fine mist when you spray.

Then walk around your home and mist your plants. Aim for even coverage across each plant rather than a soaking where the leaves are dripping water.

4. Rotate your plants

Gardeners may be familiar with the mantra of "right plant, right place." Whether you have a thriving tropical backyard, a single palm tree by your home office desk, or maybe a growing collection of beautiful indoor plants -- if you want a plant to flourish, then these are wise words to trust.

Indoor plants can have different lighting requirements. With some testing, you can find out just where your plants are happy in your home.

Once you've found a good spot, then occasionally rotate them. That way, each part of the plant gets light throughout the month.

Exercise: A hidden benefit of plant care

A gym is one way to exercise, but it doesn't have to be your way. As the authors, Dan Heath and Chip Heath, write in their book Switch, "Exercise doesn't have to be hard or painful, they were informed -- and it certainly doesn't have to be in a gym. It simply requires you to move your muscles in a way that burns calories."

Knowing that a gym is not the only way to exercise is an important idea to understand.

As it turns out, caring for your plants is a form of exercise. It is a physical activity that gets your heart rate up and fits your lifestyle. Let's look at a plant care routine for watering and break it down:

- Get your watering jug or container.

- Pick it up and walk to your kitchen sink.

- Fill it up with water.

- Walk to your first plant and begin watering.

- Then move on to the next one.

As you water your plants, you move your body by walking, bending, kneeling, stretching, etc. These are movements that move your muscles. If you water your plants once a week and your routine takes 60 minutes, then that's 4 hours of exercise each month!

Remember, stress is something we all experience. You can reduce your stress by caring for your indoor plants. In doing so, they'll care for you!

5 BIG MISTAKES THAT PEOPLE MAKE WITH THEIR PLANTS