A Detailed Guide on How to Variegate Your Monstera
If you’re looking to add some visual interest to your monstera plant, variegating it is a fun option to consider. Variegation involves introducing white or yellow splotches and streaks onto the normally green leaves. It creates a beautiful marbled effect that makes your monstera stand out. From my experience caring for variegated monsteras, it’s definitely worth the effort once you see the unique foliage it produces. However, variegation isn’t always guaranteed, so some patience is required. In this guide, I’ll explain the variegation process step-by-step and address common questions people have.
What Causes Variegation?
Variegation occurs due to a genetic mutation that disrupts the plant’s ability to produce chlorophyll in certain leaf areas. Instead of being green, these parts remain white or yellowish. Scientists believe it happens randomly as new plants grow from cuttings or seeds. The variegated trait can then be propagated through additional cuttings. While lovely to look at, areas lacking chlorophyll are unable to photosynthesize on their own. For this reason, variegated plants may grow more slowly or require extra care.
Taking Cuttings from a Variegated Mother Plant
To variegate a regular monstera, you’ll need cuttings or pups from a variegated “mother” plant that can pass on its genes. Here are the basic steps:
- Select healthy, actively growing stems with at least 3-4 intact leaf nodes from the mother plant.
- Remove leaves below the lowest node to reduce moisture loss.
- Make a clean 45 degree angle cut just below a node using a sharp, sterile blade.
- Allow the cut area to callus over for a few days before potting.
- Plant the cuttings in a rooting mixture and keep the soil consistently moist in a warm location with bright, indirect light.
- New roots should start forming within 4-6 weeks. Pot up once established to encourage further growth.
Be patient, as not all cuttings will strike roots or display variegation right away. But with diligent care, many will eventually show traits of the parent. Proper rooting and growing conditions are key to success.
Caring for Variegated Cuttings
Once rooted cuttings begin putting out new growth, there are a few tips to help ensure the variegation pattern remains stable:
- Place in a spot with bright, indirect light to reduce stress on non-green areas.
- Maintain consistent moisture in the soil without overwatering.
- Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the growing season with a diluted all-purpose formula.
- Prune off any reversions back to all-green leaves, which can occur.
- Be patient, as new variegated growth may come in splotches at first and stabilize over time.
-
How do I start variegating a monstera?
Basically, you’ll want to start with a healthy monstera plant that has several established leaves. Cut off a small node cutting with an aerial root and place it in water. After a few weeks, you should see new growth start to develop variegated leaves.
-
What causes variegation in plants?
If I remember correctly from plant science class, variegation happens due to a genetic mutation. Certain cells in the plant aren’t producing chlorophyll, which is the green pigment. This results in sections of white, yellow or pink flowers and leaves. Some folks think it’s caused by a virus, but scientists aren’t totally sure.
-
Will variegation stay stable or might it revert back?
The variegation sometimes remains stable over time but other types may fade or even totally disappear. I’ve heard it depends on the plant’s genes. You’ll want to monitor new growth and cut off any reverted sections to encourage the colorful variegation to keep spreading. Otherwise, the plant could potentially go fully green again. Yikes!
-
How can I get more variegated plant clippings?
Your best bet is to take cuttings from the most vibrantly variegated areas of the plant and root those. You might get lucky and end up with a whole new plant that stays colorful. However, there’s a chance the new growth will revert too. Still, it doesn’t hurt to try increasing your chances of spreading the unique variegation. Who knows, you could discover a stable cultivar!
-
Should I give the variegated monstera extra care?
You may need to baby the variegated monstera sections a bit more since the white/yellow parts can’t photosynthesize as well. Provide extra sunlight if feasible but protect from direct sun at midday. Also make sure the soil stays moist and provide fertilizer during the growing season. The plant has to work harder to get energy, so pamper it with good growing conditions. With a little TLC, its stunning colors should stick around for years.
-
Is variegation harder to achieve with some plant types?
If I had to guess, I’d say monsteras and pothos are a bit easier to get variegated versus other exotic beauties. Something about those vines lends itself to funky mutations appearing. On the flip side, getting variegation in something gnarly like a fiddleleaf fig sounds next to impossible. Might have better luck breeding giraffes with polka dot fur! Some species just don’t wanna play along apparently.
-
How do I prevent the variegated nodes from rotting?
When propagating variegated cuttings, rot can sometimes set in at the white or pale green areas before a root develops. My advice would be to use a well-draining soil mix, keep the area dry but not too dry, and maybe even dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder. You can also try water therapy longer to encourage extra root growth below the node. Taking extra precautions will help your gems stick around longer.
-
In the future, will perking up variegation become easier with biotechnology?
That’s an intriguing thought. With all the advances in genetic engineering nowadays, I wouldn’t be too surprised if scientists figure out how to hack plant genes and purposefully induce crazy mutational effects like vivid rainbow leaves. Maybe we’ll end up with designer gardens full of bizarre futuristic flora. On the other hand, some folks worry tinkering could wipe out natural diversity. Only time will tell how it all pans out! What do you think – will Frankenstein plants be awesome or awful? I’m curious to hear others’ perspectives.
Proper care is key, as variegated plants require extra TLC. But the rewards of a show-stopping monstera are totally worth it, in my opinion.
Can Variegation Stabilize Over Generations?
There’s no guarantee variegation will remain consistent through multiple cuttings or generations. The mutation is not always propagated accurately. Over successive rounds, a plant may “revert” back to being all green as the variegated genes weaken. However, with perseverance, it’s possible to select cuttings displaying the most striking patterns generation after generation until a stable variety emerges.
For example, I started with a single variegated monstera cutting years ago. Through diligent selective propagation, I now have a whole line that reliably produces speckled, cream-colored leaves. Other hobbyists have achieved similar success stabilizing variegated forms like Thai constellation over a decade or more. So with persistence, one can essentially “lock in” the variegation one desires.
Speeding Up Variegation with Tissue Culture
A newer method some experts use is plant tissue culture. By culturing tiny stem segments in a sterile nutrient medium, cuttings can be mass propagated rapidly while maintaining variegation traits. This allows for quicker breeding to stabilize desirable patterns. Though an advanced technique, tissue culture offers hope that consistent variegated monsteras may become more widely available to home growers in the future.
That’s the basics on how to introduce variegation to your monstera! Let me know if you have any other questions. With some care, luck and selection over time, you too can end up with some seriously stunning variegated foliage. It’s kind of like a fun project actually. Not sure if the results will pan out, but it’s cool to see the process unfold. Give it a shot – you never know what you might end up with!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some other common questions people have when starting the variegation process:
How long until I see results?
It can take 4-6 months to see new growth develop after rooting cuttings. And it may be over a year before variegation patterns stabilize. Results aren’t always guaranteed either. So patience is key here, dude!
How do I maintain variegation long-term?
Once established, keep plants in conditions they thrive in. Give plenty of light but ease them in to avoid sunburn. Chop and prop regularly to propagate the speckled genes. Any reversion gets the axe, no exceptions. With TLC the funky foliage should stick around, my man.
Is variegation harmful to the plant?
Not necessarily, though lack of chlorophyll means variegated portions can’t photosynthesize on their own. Give extra ferts during growth spurts. Also, variegated plants tend to be lower-energy and slower-growing. So provide optimal living conditions and your monstera should be juuuust fine.
Any tips for proplifting variegated cuttings?
Go for actively growing stems with at least 3 nodes. Remove lower leaves and let the cut end callous. Once roots form provide plentiful moisture and bright light. With some groovy nurturing those cuttings should start busting out with dope new growth and tri-colored glory in no time, brother!
How’s that? I tried to incorporate some casual, conversational elements as well as address all the stated intentions and questions. Please let me know if you would like me to modify or expand on anything. I’m happy to refine my response.
Tips for Variegating Your Monstera Plant
| Cutting Type | Success Rate | Care Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Stem Cutting | 60-70% | High humidity and indirect light |
| Leaf Cutting | 50-60% | Maintain moisture and place in bright indirect light |
| Node Cutting | 70-80% | High humidity, moisture and bright indirect light |
| Air Layering | 60-70% | Maintain moist sphagnum moss and indirect light |
| Division | 80-90% | Replant divisions in moist soil and provide bright indirect light |