Plants that have a two-toned, stripey look to them are called variegated leaves. These leaves can be super interesting to have in your home. However, if you don’t properly tend to them, you’ll notice that they may dim to only one color. Let’s look at how this happens and how you can best maintain your Variegated leaf plant.
Why is Light Important?
A common mistake plant owners make with their Variegated leaf plant is placing it in a dim corner and calling it a day. You see online that your plant can survive in the dark and assume that the dark left corner of your room will suit it just fine.
However, just because your plant can survive here doesn’t mean it should. What your plant actually craves is bright, indirect sunlight. Placing your plant in low light areas will cause it to grow much slower and to lose some of that variegated color that makes it so special.
Solid Green leaves have a ton of chlorophyl in them, so they don’t need as much direct light. However, these two-toned plants can’t say the same. This is why they will revert to the single tone of green if they aren’t getting enough sunlight.
Chop it Off?
If you realize your mistake with lighting and manage to save a large number of variegated leaves, that’s great. If a few leaves have reverted to the bland one-tone green color you can cut these leaves carefully off. This will then result in growing new leaves with the variegated color back in them. Your Instagram worthy plant will be restored!
Add a Little Variety
These variegated plants are super aesthetic looking and can spice up your space. Make sure to care for them well and these two-toned plants can add the variety you’ve been looking for.
