Reversion in variegated plants
How to deal with reversion in variegated plants
Variegated plants are those with leaves or other plant parts that exhibit different colors or patterns, usually with some combination of white, yellow, or cream. Sometimes, these variegated plants can revert to their original form, which means that they start producing leaves or other parts that are entirely green, without any of the variegation.
This is because the variegation is usually caused by a genetic mutation that affects the chlorophyll production in some cells of the plant. When the plant reverts to its original form, it means that the mutation has been lost or reversed in some of the plant cells, causing them to produce chlorophyll in a way that produces all-green leaves.
If you notice that your variegated plant is starting to revert to its original form, there are a few things you can do to help prevent or reverse the process:
- Prune the reverted growth: If you notice an all-green shoot on your variegated plant, it’s best to prune it off as soon as possible. This will help prevent the plant from devoting too much energy to the reverted shoot, which can slow down or reverse the process of variegation.
- Keep the plant healthy: Variegated plants that are stressed or in poor health are more likely to revert to their original form. Make sure to provide your plant with the right amount of light, water, and nutrients, and take care to avoid overwatering or underwatering.
- Propagate from variegated growth: If you want to propagate your variegated plant, it’s best to take cuttings from the variegated growth, rather than from the all-green shoots. This will help ensure that the new plants will also exhibit the variegation.
- Keep an eye on the plant: Variegation can sometimes be unstable, and it’s not uncommon for variegated plants to revert to their original form even after you’ve taken steps to prevent it. If you notice that your plant is starting to revert again, repeat the pruning and other measures as necessary.
In general, it’s important to remember that variegation is a genetic mutation that can be unpredictable, and some variegated plants are more stable than others. While there are things you can do to help prevent or reverse the process of reversion, it’s always possible that your plant may revert to its original form despite your best efforts.