Are Variegated Plants Harder to Care For?

The short answer? Yes, but they are worth the effort. Because the white or yellow parts of a
variegated leaf lack chlorophyll, they cannot photosynthesize. This means the green parts of
the leaf have to work twice as hard to support the entire plant. Consequently, variegated
plants grow slower and are more sensitive to their environment.

The biggest challenge is light management. If a variegated plant gets too little light, it may revert to solid green as a survival mechanism to increase its energy production. If it gets
too much direct sun, the white patches—which are quite thin and fragile—will burn and turn
brown almost instantly. You also have to be more precise with fertilization; too much
nitrogen can sometimes encourage a plant to grow more green and lose its beautiful
patterns.
Humidity is also key, as the non-green parts of the leaves are usually the first to crisp up if
the air is dry. It’s a rewarding challenge that forces you to become a more attentive plant
parent. For specialized fertilizers and light meters to keep your variegates thriving, check
out the equipment available on our nordichydro webshop to optimize growth in your variegated plants.