Are you looking to add a touch of elegance and beauty to your indoor garden? Look no further than plants with white and green leaves! These variegated foliage options offer stunning visual effects and can transform any setting. Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or just starting your green journey, incorporating variegated plants into your collection will elevate your space to new heights.
Key Takeaways
- The World of Variegation
- A Parade of 21 Variegated Houseplants
- 1. Urn Plant
- 2. Zebra Plant
- 3. White Fusion Calathea
- 4. Spider Plant
- 5. Florida Beauty
- 6. Pearl And Jade Plant
- 7. Pothos N’JOY
- 8. Tineke Rubber Plant
- 9. Nerve Plant
- 10. Rattlesnake Plant
- 11. Zebra Cactus
- 12. Polka Dot Plant
- 13. Prayer Plant
- 14. Split Leaf
- 15. Watermelon Peperomia
- 16. Philodendron Birkin
- 17. Friendship Plant
- 18. Snake Plant
- 19. Silver Satin Pothos
- 20. Peace Lily
- 21. Syngonium Albo
The World of Variegation
Variegation is the display of different colors in plant parts. While some plants naturally possess variegation, botanists and breeders have been creating hybrid variegated plants with intriguing variations. These hybrids can only be propagated asexually through stem cuttings, making them unique and highly sought after.
A Parade of 21 Variegated Houseplants
Below, we’ve curated a list of 21 captivating variegated houseplants, featuring both natural and hybrid varieties. Each plant has its own health requirements, including light and water needs. It’s important to note that well-draining soil with high organic content is generally ideal for these plants unless specified otherwise.
1. Urn Plant
Botanical Name: Aechmea chantinii
The Urn Plant is a favorite among plant enthusiasts. With its towering height and variegated foliage options like white on green, silver on green, and red and orange bracts, the Urn Plant effortlessly stands out. It requires regular watering, medium relative humidity, and ample light to thrive as an indoor plant.
2. Zebra Plant
Botanical Name: Aphelandra squarrosa
The Zebra Plant showcases striking dark green leaves with white stripes, reminiscent of its namesake. To maintain its beauty, the Zebra Plant prefers high humidity, temperatures above 65 °F (18 °C), and bright, indirect light. Propagate this plant using apical cuttings and ensure it receives the right amount of water during dormancy.
3. White Fusion Calathea
Botanical Name: Calathea picturata ‘Fusion White’
The White Fusion Calathea is part of the diverse and intriguing Calathea family. Its leaves feature dark green upper sides, purple undersides, and silver veins and midribs. This “prayer plant” variety responds to sunlight by opening and closing its leaves. To care for the White Fusion Calathea, keep the leaves moist through regular spritzing and provide well-drained potting soil enriched with coconut coir.
4. Spider Plant
Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’
The Spider Plant boasts green leaves with white borders, adding a touch of elegance to any space. This plant develops plantlets on hanging stems, which can be transplanted into soil to grow new plants. Ensure the Spider Plant receives bright, indirect light and water it thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
5. Florida Beauty
Botanical Name: Dracaena surculosa
The Florida Beauty is a popular variegated houseplant with dark green leaves. Its variegated forms, such as Florida Beauty and Florida Ghost, exhibit beautiful green and cream splotches. This plant thrives with bright indirect light, moderate temperatures, and moderate humidity.
6. Pearl And Jade Plant
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
Also known as the Marble Queen Pothos, the Pearl and Jade Plant showcases spectacular marble-like patterns on its smaller leaves. This low-light plant requires some additional light due to its variegation. Keep it away from direct sunlight to maintain its health. Originating from tropical forests, this plant prefers a humid environment, making it ideal for indoor cultivation.
7. Pothos N’JOY
Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum, aka E. pinnatum N’JOY
The Pothos N’JOY is a sub-hybrid that has been asexually propagated from the original mutated plant. This plant shares its parent stock, Epipremnum aureum, with the Marble Queen Pothos. Replicate its humid rainforest environment for optimal growth.
8. Tineke Rubber Plant
Botanical Name: Ficus elastica ‘Tineke’
The Tineke Rubber Plant is known for its broad, shiny, variegated leaves that appear as if they were white with green variegation. This plant stands out with its unique green and white foliage. To keep it healthy, avoid overwatering and protect it from temperature fluctuations and drafts.
9. Nerve Plant
Botanical Name: Fittonia albivenis ‘Angel Snow’
The Nerve Plant resembles an aerial view of a marsh, with small green islands connected by white waterways and intricate vein patterns running through its leaves. Its stunning red, pink, or white veining adds a touch of brilliance to any indoor garden. This plant requires well-drained soil, humidity, and regular watering.
10. Rattlesnake Plant
Botanical Name: Goeppertia insignia
The Rattlesnake Plant, also known as Calathea lancipolia, showcases captivating foliage with undulating borders, purple undersides, and alternating small and large green ellipses. It needs temperatures above 65 °F (18 °C) to thrive, making it a perfect choice if you want to add a tropical flair to your interior.
11. Zebra Cactus
Botanical Name: Haworthiopsis attenuate
For succulent enthusiasts, the Zebra Cactus represents an excellent choice. Its dark green leaves are spotted with beautiful white dots, adding a distinctive touch to any collection. This easy-to-care-for plant thrives in well-draining soil and requires minimal water, making it the perfect low-maintenance houseplant.
12. Polka Dot Plant
Botanical Name: Hypoestes phyllostachya
The Polka Dot Plant, with its pink and green leaves, is not only beautiful but also drought-tolerant. This striking houseplant presents various shapes and forms. Consider adding the Splash Select™ polka dot plant, which resembles green houseplants with a pink splash, to your indoor garden.
13. Prayer Plant
Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’
The Prayer Plant is a dream come true for plant enthusiasts. Its intricate patterns, reminiscent of candelabra sticks around a knotted midrib, make it a captivating addition to any space. This plant prefers bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist soil during the growing season.
14. Split Leaf
Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo variegata’
Often called Swiss-cheese plant or hurricane plant, the Split Leaf Monstera’s unique foliage features holes and slits, allowing sunlight to pass through without damaging the leaves. Its deep-green leaves with bright yellow pattern lines add a touch of vibrancy to your interior. This plant requires well-drained soil and thrives in bright, indirect light.
15. Watermelon Peperomia
Botanical Name: Peperomia argyreia
The Watermelon Peperomia offers an upright and bushy growth habit, reaching a height of 8 inches. Its leaves resemble watermelon rinds with light green stripes. This plant thrives when grouped with other plants with similar cultural requirements and prefers minimal light and well-drained soil.
16. Philodendron Birkin
Botanical Name: Philodendron ‘Birkin’
With its dark green glossy foliage adorned with brilliant yellow striping, the Philodendron Birkin adds a unique touch to any living space. This stunning houseplant is a hybrid of the Rojo Congo and Imperial Green cultivars. Ensure it receives bright, indirect light and maintain soil moisture for optimal growth.
17. Friendship Plant
Botanical Name: Pilea involucrata ‘Moon Valley’
The Friendship Plant thrives in bright, indirect light and warm and humid indoor environments. Regular watering during the growth season and stem pinching to maintain a compact shape are essential. It’s called the Friendship Plant because it’s easy to propagate through stem cuttings, making it perfect for sharing with friends.
18. Snake Plant
Botanical Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
The Snake Plant is a hardy plant that can survive with minimal light. It prefers 2-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, well-drained soil, and infrequent watering. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for beginners and adds a touch of elegance to any interior.
19. Silver Satin Pothos
Botanical Name: Scindapsus pictus
The Silver Satin Pothos, a member of the aroid family, offers attractive foliage and can thrive in low-light environments with proper soil moisture management. Its trailing stems make it perfect for hanging baskets or as a captivating addition to any space.
20. Peace Lily
Botanical Name: Spathiphyllum wallisii ‘Domino’
Peace lilies grace indoor spaces with their attractive foliage and showy white arum-like spathes. These tropical evergreen plants prefer dappled light and consistent moisture. With their elegant appearance, Peace Lilies make a statement in any interior.
21. Syngonium Albo
Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum ‘Albo Variegata’
Syngonium Albo, also known as the Arrowhead Plant, thrives in warm and humid conditions. It should be placed in a bright yet shady area or grown as an annual in containers. As it matures, this plant transforms from a shrubby form to a vine-like appearance. Maintaining its arrowhead foliage is possible through regular pruning and repotting.
Adding variegated plants to your indoor garden not only elevates the aesthetic appeal but also introduces interesting color variations and patterns. These plants offer a fresh and unique look that will captivate any plant enthusiast. Explore the world of white and green leaves, and let your indoor garden thrive!
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