Are Variegated Plants Rare?

As we said, variegation is very rare, so your chance of having a plant randomly producing variegation is about 1:100'000. So in order to get a variegated plant from a Monstera Deliciosa, you would have to make 100'000 cuttings and produce new plants.

Why are variegated plants rare?

In nature these forms usually die out, being weaker growers because of the lack of chlorophyll, which plants use to make the food they need for growth. Variegation can also be the result of a viral infection, showing as discolored veins or leaf areas. This form of variegation is relatively rare, but it is stable.

Why are variegated plants so expensive?

Essentially variegated plants have less surface area to photosynthesise with and produce the sugars they need for growth and repair, hence they usually need more light compared to entirely green plants and typically grow much, much slower. This is the basis of why they are currently so sought after and pricy!