Variegation loss
Variegated plants put out plain green shoots that grow faster and can take over unless they are cut out.
What you'll see
- Whole shoots or leaves come out plain green on a variegated plant.
- The green shoots grow more strongly than the variegated ones.
- Now and then all-white or yellow shoots appear; these are weak and seldom take over.
Why it happens
Most variegated plants started as mutations, and some shoots switch back to the green form of the parent. Green shoots have more chlorophyll, so they outgrow the variegated parts.
How to fix it
- Cut reverted green shoots back to their base, into variegated growth, as soon as you see them.
- Check the plant every few weeks while it grows and remove any new green shoots.
- Root cuttings from well-variegated shoots if you want to keep the pattern.
Keep it from coming back
- Act early; green shoots get harder to remove as they grow.
- Remember the pattern carries on only through cuttings or division, not seed.
Sources
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.