Garden Glossary

Variegated

Horticulture expert Dr. Lelia Kelly defines the gardening term Variegated. This is used to describe the coloration of leaves. It results from a lack or lessening of the chlorophyll or green pigment in the leaf. Usually the term is used to describe the desirable white coloration of leaves. Variegation does not typically happen in nature because the white parts of the leaf do not generate energy for the plant. Some plants are bred for their variegated leaves like hostas.