Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Herbs are a vital component of cooking, imparting their unique flavour in both savoury and sweet dishes. There is nothing more rewarding than hand-picked herbs from your kitchen garden.
All of the plants featured in this article are suitable for pots or planted in the ground, they are easy to care for and versatile.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Every year plant and garden lovers have a large number of official plant-themed days to highlight or honour our plants and the insects that help our gardens bloom. Below is a list of official days for plant lovers to celebrate.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Edible flowers have a long culinary and medical history and have seen a recent surge in popularity. Many commonly grown flowers are edible and can add flavour, texture and colour to recipes.
Pineapple sage
Pineapple sage. I. Rottlaender/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Salvia elegans
Taste: Sweet, tangy, pineapple
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.5 metres
Width: 90 cm to 1.2 metres
Uses: Salads, ice cubes, garnish, tea
A herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae (mint) family native to Mexico. The red flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Pineapple sage is rich in vitamin K and is a good source of vitamins A, C, Bc, manganese, potassium and folate. Pineapple is used by Mexicans as a traditional treatment for hypertension and anxiety.
Calendula
MarcoFood/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Calendula officinalis
Taste: Earthy, tangy, peppery
Sunlight:
Height:
Width:
Uses: Tea, salads, infused oils, and as colourants in food
Calendula is a herbaceous perennial native to southwestern Asia, western Europe, Macaronesia, and the Mediterranean. Flowers have a long history of edible use in salads and as a garnish. The vibrant yellow can also be used as a natural food dye.
Also known as starflower, borage is an annual flowering herb native to the Mediterranean region. Borage produces an abundance of star-shaped blue flowers during summer.
Borage flower contains a number of beneficial compounds (phenolics, flavonoids and fatty acids) that have showed antioxidant and antibacterial together, along with mild anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.
Clover
oksana2010/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Trifolium spp.
Taste: Sweet
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
Height: 20 cm
Width: 40 cm
Uses: Salads, tea, fruit jellies, garnish
Clover is a genus of 300 species native to Europe and Central Asia. It is commonly used as a grazing plant for livestock. The trifoliate foliage is heart-shaped, and on rare occasions will produce four leaves, which is a symbol of good luck.
The shamrock is a type of clover and a symbol of Ireland. In Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity (the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit) to non-believers.
Red clover was used in traditional medicine to treat asthma, whooping cough, cancer and gout.
Pansies are a common flowering hybrid native to Europe and Asia. They are popular as a garden bed or potted plant for their bright, multicoloured flowers and ease of care.
The nutritional elements of pansies vary depending on the flower colour and the flowering stage. Researchers found white and yellow pansies had the highest protein, and red pansies had the highest carbohydrates. Red pansies had the highest contents of total carotenoids and monomeric anthocyanins, while white and yellow pansies had an increase in hydrolysable tannins, flavonoids, monomeric anthocyanins and antioxidant activity from bud to entirely open.
Nasturtium is a genus of approximately 80 species of herbaceous flowering plants native to central and south America. Its funnel-shaped flowers grow in yellow, orange and red.
Citrus is a species of flowering tree native to Asia and Australia known for its tangy fruit. Although we associate citrus with its fruit, the leaves and sweetly scented flowers are also edible.
The flowers of orange blossoms have long been used to treat anxiety and insomnia and lemon flowers may be used to treat migraines.
Cherries are fruiting deciduous trees native to the Northern Hemisphere and made up of 430 species. The sweet and sour fruit is enjoyed fresh or in jams. Cherry blossoms (sakura) are a national flower of Japan and heralds in the spring season.
Roses large species of flowering plant native to Asia and Europe, roses are one of the most popular flowers for gardeners and florists. The petals are used in cooking for their delicate flavour and versatility and are widely used in the cosmetic and perfume industry for their beautiful scent.
The rule of thumb is if the rose has an attractive scent, it will also have a flavour.
English lavender
freya-photographer/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Lavandula angustifolia
Taste: Floral and slightly bitter with hints of rosemary
Lavender is a flowering herbaceous perennial native to the Mediterranean and is a popular garden plant in cottage gardens. The flowers and foliage are highly scented and used in oils, perfumes and soaps.
The beautiful colour and scent of lavender make it a highly desirable culinary flower with a vide array of uses.
Also known as sweet violet, violet is a beautifully fragrant herbaceous perennial native to Europe and Asia. This shade-loving plant has beautifully scented flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring and are used in the perfume industry.
Society garlic is a perennial herb native to the grasslands of South Africa. The plant grows in clusters and is commonly planted in borders. Society garlic has long, slender stalks which emit a garlic-like odour.
In traditional medicine, society garlic has been used to treat fever, colds, asthma, paralysis, and hypertension.
Fennel
kzww/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Foeniculum vulgare
Taste: Aniseed
Sunlight: Full to partial sun
Height: 40 cm to 2 metres
Width: 1 metre
Uses: Flavouring for roast meats, salads, pickles, seasoning
Fennel is a flowering perennial in the carrot family native to the Mediterranean but is widely established in many parts of the world where it has become a noxious weed. The aniseed-flavoured fennel bulbs are used in a wide range of dishes including stews. Fennel is an important ingredient in absinthe.
Anise hyssop
Scisetti Alfio/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Agastache foeniculum
Taste: Mild aniseed
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 60 cm to 1.2 m
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Tea, salads, garnish, cakes, biscuits
Anise hyssop is a perennial herb in the mint family native to northern America. Its lavender flowers attract birds and bees and bloom from early summer until autumn.
Anise hyssop was used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as a cold and cough remedy.
Coffee
naramit/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Coffea arabica
Taste: Mellow floral, slight vanilla, hint of jasmine
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 5 to 8 metres
Width: 2.5 to 4.5 metres
Uses: Tea, ice cubes, salads, cordial
A broadleaf evergreen native to Ethiopia. Coffee has been cultivated for its beans for over 1,000 years and is commercially grown in tropical and subtropical regions globally. The short-lived white flowers smell like jasmine.
Siberian chives
shinobi/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Allium nutans
Taste: Mild onion
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 60 cm
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Salads, dips, garnish, butter
Siberian chives are a species of flowering bulbs and a member of the allium family grown for their onion-flavoured leaves. The decorative purple globe-shaped flowers are also popular with gardeners.
Sweet alyssum
Tamara Kulikova/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Lobularia maritima
Taste: Slightly sweet
Sunlight: Full or partial
Height: 5 – 30 cm
Width: 20 – 30 cm
Uses: Salads, ice cubes, garnish
Alyssum is a herbaceous flowering plant native to Northern Africa. It is popular as a border plant for its fast-growing, sweetly scented flowers which grow in clusters.
Echinacea
Valentyn Volkov/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Echinacea purpurea
Taste: Earthy and floral
Sunlight: Full sun to light shade
Height: 1 metre
Width: 500 cm
Uses: Tea
Echinacea is a group of flowering plants native to North America with beautiful daisy-like flowers that bloom throughout spring and summer and are pollinated by butterflies and bees.
The flowers were widely used by Indian tribes to treat mouth sores, colds, snakebites, respiratory infections, toothache, urinary tract infections, herpes sores and gonorrhoea; skin disorders, staph infections, cold sores, ulcers, wounds, burns, insect bites, eczema, allergies and others; and rheumatoid arthritis.
Elder
Soru Epotok/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Sambucus nigra
Taste: Floral, herby
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 3 – 4 metres
Width: 3 metres
Uses: Wine, cordial, salads, cakes, biscuits
Elderflower is a flowering shrub native to Europe. Its flowers and berries are widely used to make wines and jams. The flowers are used in traditional medicine to treat the common cold, influenza, and rhinosinusitis.
Cornflower
Scisetti Alfio/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Centaurea cyanus
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Full
Height: 1.3 metres
Width: 200 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish, teas
Also known as bachelor’s buttons, cornflower is an annual flowering plant native to Europe. The attractive flowers grow in pink, red, white and purple.
Cornflowers have been used in traditional medicine to treat feater, chest congestion and constipation.
Only the petals are edible.
Stock
hiyaphoto/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Matthiola incana
Taste: Sweet, peppery
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1 metre
Width: 50 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish, tea, candied, ice cubes
Also known as Hoary stock, stock is a flowering annual native to southern Europe. Stock is a popular garden plant for its ease of care, and highly scented flowers and is routinely used in cut floral bouquets.
Dianthus
ok_fotoday/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Dianthus spp.
Taste: Floral, spicy
Sunlight: Full
Height: 1 metre
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Garnish, salads, ice cubes, candied
Dianthus is a genus of 340 flowering plants native to Europe and Asia. The most well-known Dianthus is the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus), which is a popular cut flower and is a common ingredient in the perfume industry.
Dianthus was used in herbal medicine to treat nervous and heart disorders.
Zucchini (courgette)
Heliosphile/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Cucurbita pepo
Taste: Mild, slightly sweet zucchini flavour
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm
Width: 120 cm
Uses: Stuffed, salads, garnish, tempura
Also known as courgette, zucchini is a flowering plant of the genus Cucurbita, which also includes pumpkin and squash. Zucchini is predominantly grown for its fruit which is a popular ingredient in savoury dishes, but the flowers are also edible.
Hibiscus
Ivaschenko Roman/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Hibiscus spp.
Taste: Tart, floral
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1 metre
Width: 500 cm
Uses: Salads, pickled, garnish, syrups, tea, jams
Hibiscus is a flowering plant genus native to China, Mauritius, Madagascar, Fiji, and Hawaii. The stunning short-lived flowers grow in shades of gold, red, pink and white. While all hibiscus flowers are edible, rosella Hibiscus sabdariffa is most commonly used as an edible flower.
Common jasmine
Martin Leber/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Jasminum officinale
Taste: Sweet, fragrant
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 2 metres
Width: 4 – 6 metres
Uses: Tea, salads, candied,
Jasmine is a climbing vine native to the Caucasus, northern Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Himalayas, Tajikistan, India, Nepal and western China. It is widely valued among gardeners and in the cosmetic and perfume industry for its highly scented flowers which bloom in spring.
Jasmine is said to have a number of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants used to enhance digestion, weight loss, improve concentration and manage liver disease.
Orange jasmine is an evergreen flowering bush native to Southern China, Taiwan, the Indian sub-continent, south-eastern Asia and northern Australia. The ease of care, stunning green leaves and fragrant flowers make the orange jasmine a popular garden plant.
Banana
Lifestyle Travel Photo/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Musa spp.
Taste: Neutral
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 5 m
Width: 4 m
Uses: Stuffed, soups, stir fries
Banana is a species of fruiting herb native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia and now grown in tropical regions across the globe. The edible fruit is high in potassium and fibre, ranking fourth in the world behind rice, wheat and maize, banana is a major food crop.
Fuchsia
AN NGUYEN/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Fuchsia spp.
Taste: Mildly sweet/tart
Sunlight: Partial shade
Height: 30 – 60 cm
Width: 20 – 30 cm
Uses: Salads, candied, ice cubes, garnish
Fuchsia is a genus of flowering shrubs native to central and southern America. Its showy, multicoloured flowers make it popular as a garden plant, especially in hanging pots.
Hollyhock
taka1022/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Alcea rosea
Taste: Cucumber
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.8 metres
Width: 40 cm
Uses: Salads, stuffed, garnish, jellies, tea
Hollyhock is a species of flowering plant native to Europe and Asia that are commonly grown for its attractive flowers that grow on tall spikes.
Honeysuckle is a flowering vine native to China, Japan and Korea. This climbing vine produces abundant sweet-smelling flowers from spring onwards which contain sweet nectar.
There are approximately 180 species of honeysuckle, but most are toxic. Therefore it is important to ensure you only consume the flowers from Lonicera japonica.
Primrose is a genus of flowering plant native to western and southern Europe which produces a mass of scented yellow flowers in spring. Italy chose the common primrose as a symbol for their COVID-19 vaccination efforts.
The flowers have been used in traditional medicine to heal wounds.
Chamomile
JanBussan/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Matricaria chamomilla
Taste: Mild apple, honey
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm
Width: 45 cm
Uses: Tea
Chamomile is an annual annual flowering herb with fragrant flowers that native to southern and Eastern Europe. Unlike most of the plants featured in this article, chamomile is usually grown as a medicinal plant. Ancient Egyptian, Green and Roman texts describe using chamomile as a calming tea infusion and for treating reddening of the skin, and abnormally dry skin.
Only the petals are edible.
Sunflower
Alexander Raths/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Helianthus spp.
Taste: Buds (artichoke), flowers (bitter sweet)
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 cm to 1.5 metres
Width: 20 cm to 50 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish
Sunflowers are a large species of flowering plant native to North America. They are an important commercial crop grown for their oil and seeds.
The height of sunflowers ranges from 30 cm to up to 150 cm or taller, which makes them an outstanding feature plant for the home garden.
The lilac bush is a deciduous bush native to the Balkan Peninsula but is now widespread throughout Europe. Lilacs produce an abundance of highly scented lilac or white flowers in spring which are widely used in the perfume industry.
Phlox
Tibesty/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Phlox spp.
Taste: Mildly sweet
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 30 – 60 cm
Width: 30 – 60 cm
Uses: Salads, ice cubes, garnish
Phlox is a genus of flowering plants native to the United States. The abundant flowers grow and bloom over an extended period and are an important food source for insects and hummingbirds.
Broad bean
Varts/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Vicia faba
Taste: Mild nutty
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 1.5 metres
Width: 30 – 45 cm
Uses: Salads, savoury dishes, garnish
Also known as fava bean, the broad bean is a species of legume native to North Africa. Broad beans are a highly cultivated plant and are also popular with home gardeners.
Gardenia is a perennial evergreen shrub grown for its beautifully scented white flowers and attractive dark green foliage that are widely used in the perfume industry.
Apple is a diverse group of flowering trees native to the mountains of Kazakhstan and widely cultivated. The fruit of the apple can range from tart to extremely sweet and can be consumed raw or cooked in pies and sweet stews.
Dahlia is a genus of flowering plants native to Mexico and Central America. Their long-lasting flowers bloom from summer until late autumn, making them popular with gardeners and florists. Flower size can range in size from 3 – 5 cm to the size of a dinner plate, hence the term dinnerplate dahlias.
Gladiolous
Abduramanova Elena/Shutterstock
Scientific name: Gladiolus spp.
Taste: Mild lettuce
Sunlight: Full sun
Height: 140 cm
Width: 30 cm
Uses: Salads, garnish
Gladiolus is a genus of flowering perennials that grow from an underground corm native to Asia, Mediterranean Europe, South Africa, and tropical Africa. Mature plants produce a tall spike containing 12 – 20 florets in a wide range of colours, which are cultivated throughout the world for the florist industry.
One study investigating the bioactivity of gladiolus found the flowers have a high vitamin C content, anthocyanins, flavonoids, total phenolic contents and high antioxidant activity.
Where to find edible flowers
Many of the edible flowers featured in this article can be easily grown in the home garden or in pots providing an abundant supply of flowers for the home cook. When growing flowers for consumption, avoid the use of herbicides and sprays to avoid ingesting chemicals.
Fresh and dried edible flowers and mixes can be purchased from specialist grocery stores. Always look for organically grown flowers which don’t contain herbicides.
Some edible flowers grow in the wild and can be foraged. Avoid picking flowers along busy roads due to contamination from traffic as well as the risk of herbicide contamination.
Notes
All of the edible flowers in this article can be eaten raw or cooked. Some flowers are consumed whole, and others just have edible petals. It was beyond the scope of this article to include preparation notes or recipes, but have tried to link to a few.
Some of the flowers in this article add a visually appealing element to meals, but not much flavour. As a rule, the stronger the scent of the flower, the stronger the flavour. Jasmine, rose and lavender all have a beautiful scent and add flavour to a range of foods. One of the nieces examples of lavender in cooking was lavender icing, which imparted a beautiful and delicate floral taste. Rose is the main flavour in Turkish delight and jasmine flowers have been used to flavour teas for centuries.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is saponins, which are surface-active glycosides with a foamy quantity, hence the name. Ingestion is associated with gastrointestinal disturbances including vomiting and diarrhea.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Variegation refers to a leaf and stem containing more than one colour. It is most commonly associated with plants whose normal foliage colour is green, while their variegated counterparts have areas of yellow or white. Technically, any plant which displays multiple foliage colours is variegated.
The yellow/white commonly seen on ‘variegated‘ plants is actually due to a lack of chlorophyll (green pigment) in some of the plant cells. Chlorophyll is located within the chloroplast (a membrane-bound organelle known as a plastid) and helps the plant absorb light, carbon dioxide and water, and convert it to glucose and oxygen.
There has been a surge in interest in variegated plants over the past decade. Some are sold at garden centres for a few dollars. However, variegated specimens such as Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Origins of the word Variegated
The word variegated is derived from the Latin word variegatus, which is the past participle of variegare. Variegare comes from varius meaning “varied” or “diverse” and ager meaning field or land. Essentially, variegare meant “to diversify” or “to make varied,” in context to the different colours or patterns.
The term variegated was adopted into the English language in the 17th century, and it was used to describe plants that have leaves featuring different colours, usually in the form of blotches, margins, or streaks. Since then, the term has been used more broadly to describe anything that has a variety of different colours or patterns, not just plants.
Types of Variegation
Pattern gene (natural) variegation
Most of us think of leaves as green, but many plant species have brightly decorated leaves due to different types of pigment. Chlorophyll is the most abundant pigment in the plant kingdom. Carotenoids give plants yellow or yellow-orange hues, while anthocyanins are responsible for red or purple leaves.
This type of variegation is a genetic trait built into the plant’s DNA which programmes different cells to produce different colours and is passed down from generation to generation. There are several advantages to natural variegation, which may act as camouflage or a warning against vertebrate herbivores. Dracaena trifasciatasyn. Sansevieria trifasciata (snake plant), Solenostemon scutellarioides syn. Plectranthus scutellarioides (coleus), Calathea spp. and Caladium spp. are examples of plants with natural variegation.
Chimera variegation
The most common cause of variegation is a genetic mutation in the meristem. This mutation results in a plant with two genotypes, one of which can produce chlorophyll, while the other cell line is unable to.
The meristem is a type of tissue made up of undifferentiated cells that differentiate to form tissues of the plant.
There are three types of chimera variegation: mericlinal, periclinal, and sectorial.
Periclinal variegation involves the mutation of an entire layer of the meristem which occurs if the mutated cell is located close to the apical dome (a region of cells that are capable of division and growth in the root and shoot tips) so that all divisions create an entire layer of the mutated cell line. Regarded as the most stable of the chimeras, propagation will produce similar growth and patterns to the mother plant.
Mericlinal variegation is similar to periclinal, but only a portion of the layer is mutated and is classed as unstable. The mutated layer may be maintained in one area of the meristem, producing variegated leaves on that portion only, while other portions of the meristem are non-variegated. The meristem may either remain stable or lose the mutation, reverting to a solid colour.
Sectorial variegationis due to mutations affecting sections of the apical meristem that extend through all cell layers. Both mutated and normal types can be produced, depending on the point on the apex the shoots differentiate.
Transposon variegation
Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences also known as jumping genes that can change their position within the plant genome through a mechanism called transposition. They were discovered in 1948 by Barbara McClintock in 1948 while working with Indian corn, for which she was later awarded a Nobel Prize.
TEs can cause changes in gene function and composition, including genetic reprogramming and the creation of novel functional proteins. If the TE inserts into a gene for chloroplast development or chlorophyll production, the resulting tissue will be white.
Blister (reflective) variegation
The outer layer of the non-pigmented epidermis lifts from the pigmented layer below causing an air pocket to form. This creates a transparent patch that reflects light on the leaf surface, giving the leaf a shimmery silver look.
Mosaic virus
Viruses are microscopic infectious entities made up of DNA or RNA and surrounded by a protein coat. They are unable to replicate on their own, instead, they use the cellular machinery inside their host to replicate.
There are over 2000 known viruses that affect plants a host of edible and ornamental plants with an enormous economic impact on the horticulture industry (farmers, garden centres etc) and related business. Mosaic viruses spread from plant to plant via insect vectors (mosquitoes, beetles, thrips), nematodes, fungi, propagation, fomites (inanimate objects such as secateurs) and contact between plants. It can take less than one minute for a plant-feeding insect to acquire the virus.
Some mosaic viruses are host-specific and cannot infect different species of plants and are named after their hosts. For example, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) etc. Other mosaic viruses have a wide range of hosts.
Infected plants can display a range of clinical signs including stunted growth, leaf curling, green and yellow mottled or marbled pattern on the foliage which gives a variegated appearance. One of the most well-known mosaic viruses in the flower world is the tulip-breaking virus (also known as the tulip mosaic virus). TBV leaves an attractive striped pattern on the flowers and was responsible for ‘tulipomania‘ in the seventeenth century and striped tulips were highly sought after. Unfortunately, TBV also weakens the plant and the striped tulip almost died out, with only a small number of varieties remaining. However, due to the devastation the virus causes to commercial tulip crops, it is illegal to grow TBV-infected plants without a license.
There is no cure for the mosaic virus and affected plants should be destroyed. This is one case where variegation is not a good thing.
Caring for a Variegated Plant
Variegated plants can be a little more difficult to grow than their non-variegated counterparts. As some variegated plants can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, my first recommendation is to become familiar with non-variegated plants before you move on to their variegated cousins.
Because variegated plants have less chlorophyll in their leaves, they are slower growing. For this reason, variegated plants need more light to enable them to photosynthesise effectively. Having said that, more light can also burn leaves, so it can be a bit of a balancing act. If natural light is an issue, invest in a good-quality grow lamp.
I like to let new plants settle in for a week or two before I repot them. Always select a premium potting mix, and use an appropriate-sized pot for the plant. A tiny plant with a 2.5 cm root ball does not need to go into a 30 cm pot, but a plant with a 30 cm root ball should be given a pot large enough for it to grow into.
Feed the plant with good-quality fertiliser during the active growing season. You may also choose to supplement these feedings with a plant tonic (I use Powerfeed by Seasol) which can improve soil structure, promote growth and enhance colour.
Common Variegation Terms
The following examples are words most commonly used to describe yellow, cream or white variegation and not the colourful variegation on plants such as coleus. These terms can help plant collectors understand exactly what they’re getting.
Half-moon: The leaf or leaves are made up of half white and half green
Half moon variegation.
High variegation: The leaf or leaves contain a large amount of white or cream variegation
High variegation.
Low variegation: The leaf or leaves contain a small amount of white or cream variegation
Low variegation.
Suicide leaf: An all-white or yellow leaf
All white leaf on a Monstera deliciosa var. borsigiana albo-variegata alba.
Blocky: When a variegated plant has a block of white (or yellow) on the leaf, this solid pattern is highly sought-after
Blocky variegation.
Marbled: Evenly distributed patches of white or yellow and green across the leaves
Marbled variegation.
Sectoral: A part of the leaf has a solid white, cream or yellow variegation
Sectoral variegation.
Variegation colours
Sport or mint: Light green variegation
Albo: White or cream variegation
Aurea: Yellow variegation
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a leaf on a variegated plant grows out all green?
Sometimes a new leaf will grow out green, this is known as reverting. To prevent the entire plant from reverting to green, snip off the new all-green leaf.
What should I do if a leaf on a variegated plant grows out all white or yellow?
While an all-white or yellow plant is dazzling, its lack of chlorophyll means it won’t survive. Plant enthusiasts refer to these leaves as ‘suicide leaves’.
The leaves above came from my variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma. The axillary bud developed along a highly variegated portion of the node, resulting in all-white leaves. I waited until the third leaf had emerged in the hope some green may develop, but as this didn’t happen, I sadly removed the newly developed leaves as they are non-viable. I would rather the plant put its energy into healthy stems and nodes.
Why are variegated plants so rare?
Not all variegated plants are rare (or expensive). Variegated Schefflera arboricola (umbrella tree) and Hedera helix ‘Variegata’ (English ivy) and Ficus pumila variegated (creeping fig) are common varieties of variegated plants that sell for only a few dollars. Our local Aldi is currently selling Ficus elastica ‘tineke’ for $10.00.
The price is determined by the availability of the plant. As the number of available variegated Monstera deliciosa spp., has increased, the price has slowly started to drop. However, plant collectors can still expect to pay several hundred for a small specimen.
The most expensive variegated plant I have seen on the market was a Philodendron ilsemanii variegata, with a price tag of AUD 14,000 and in June 2021. A R. tetrasperma (mini monstera) sold for over $20,000. This is just how much collectors are willing to pay for a rare variegated specimen.
Why are variegated plants so expensive?
Most variegated plants can only be propagated from stem cuttings, leaf or seeds will not be true to type (ie; variegated). All commercially sold Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’ come from tissue culture from a single laboratory in Thailand. With only one global supplier and high demand, this makes for an expensive plant.
Plant collectors do make their cuttings from variegated plants, often to raise funds to add new plants to their collection. Cuttings may be rooted or freshly cut. Inexperienced plant collectors should always purchase rooted and established plants.
Why do some variegated plants revert?
Naturally, variegated plants such as coleus won’t revert, because the colour/pattern is written into the plant DNA. Chimeric plants can and do revert, especially unstable mericlinal and sectorial variegated plants. Aside from natural variegation, most variegated plants can potentially revert to all green. There are several causes of this, including extreme heat or cold, as well as low light levels where the plant’s natural survival mechanism kicks in and reverts to its original state (all green).
Where can I buy a variegated plant?
Common variegated plants are readily available at most garden centres or online plant retailers. From time to time they may also sell rarer specimens, usually Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai constellation’. Rare variegated plants are usually sold privately on Facebook groups, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy.
Propagating variegated plants
Propagating is easy, but care must be taken when selecting a node with an axillary bud. Look for a bud that has formed over a variegated node.
The cuttings below were also removed from my variegated Rhaphidophora tetrasperma while I was removing the white leaves. The image on the left is an axillary bud, which is the precursor for a new shoot. As you can see, has developed over an area with no variegation. If the bud is activated, the resulting growth would be all green. However, had the bud formed over the variegated portion of the node in the right-hand image, the new growth would have been variegated.
Buying rare variegated plants online
The Internet has made sourcing rare and unusual plants considerably easier for collectors, but it is not without its risks. The popularity of rare plants, and the high price tag can, unfortunately, attract scammers.
Where possible, purchase plants from a reputable nursery.
Do your research so you have a good idea of the value of the plant(s) you’re looking for.
Sellers will often include a photo of the mother plant the cutting came from. This is to show what the baby can be expected to look like. However, be aware that the mother plant is not the plant you will receive. This is not a scam as such, just be aware that the mother plant is not the plant you will receive.
Where possible, pick up and pay for the plant in person.
If you’re buying a plant via social media, check out the seller’s profile. Does it look legitimate? How long have they had their account? Are they on any groups you’re also a member of?
Know what the plant you’re looking for looks like. If you’re looking for an M. deliciosa ‘Thai constellation‘, do you know what they look like?
Unless you have experience propagating plants, always look for a well-rooted plant. Often people will sell a cutting that has only just begun to produce roots. There’s nothing wrong with this, but leave those to more experienced plant collectors.
Do a reverse image search of photos in listings. Save a copy of the image in the advertisement, go to tineye.com, and upload the photo. Is it a stock photo? For example, all the images in this article are stock photos. There are several causes of this, including extreme heat or cold, as well as low light levels where the plant’s natural survival mechanism kicks in and reverts to its original state (all green)., but I have purchased the rights to use them. A scammer can easily obtain stock images and try to pass them off as a plant they’re selling.
Check the location of the seller. Are they in the same country as you? If they’re not, does your country have restrictions on importing plants? You do not want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a plant only to have customs seize and destroy it. I only purchase plants within Australia, which is where I am located.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Painted nettle, Flame nettle, Coleus, Indian borage, Bread and
butter plant, Indian thyme, Country borage, East Indian thyme, Spanish thyme,
Stinging thyme
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Shamrock plant (Oxalis spp.) is toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is oxalic acid which binds to systemic calcium leading to a dangerous drop in blood calcium levels and deposition of calcium oxalate (CaOx) in the delicate renal (kidney) tubules, leading to acute kidney failure.
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
Half moon variegation.
High variegation.
Low variegation.
All white leaf on a Monstera deliciosa var. borsigiana albo-variegata alba.
Blocky variegation.
Marbled variegation.
Sectoral variegation.
