It is unlikely that any of the flower growers does not know this indoor plant - dieffenbachia with spotted leaves, originally from South and Central America. The Dieffenbachia genus consists of about 30 species of perennial herbs. The most common plant varieties are: dieffenbachia spotted, dieffenbachia Leopold, dieffenbachia Bowman and seguin. Very often the plant dieffenbachia adorns office premises, schools, hospital corridors and many other institutions and institutions. It got its name in honor of Dieffenbach, a German botanist.

Be aware that dieffenbachia sap is poisonous and keep this in mind when choosing plants for a nursery. The height of dieffenbachia in room conditions reaches an impressive size of up to 2 meters or more. If you do not plant shoots from dieffenbachia and cut the plant at a height of 15-20 cm from the ground to encourage the appearance of side shoots, then you get a nice lush bush. It blooms quite rarely at home, so it is grown only for the sake of decorative leaves.

Dieffenbachia should be fertilized regularly from spring to autumn with mineral fertilizers without lime. Light-leaved Dieffenbachia varieties should not be fertilized unless the light is strong enough, as too much nitrogen will cause the leaves to turn green.

Scale insects and false scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites can settle on dieffenbachia, which you can get rid of by reading an article about folk pest control methods.

Dieffenbachia can be propagated by pieces of a 6-8 cm trunk. Trimmings are rooted in constantly warm soil with a temperature of about 28 degrees. Also, reproduction is possible by daughter shoots, which must be separated from the mother plant and rooted in a separate pot.

The main difficulties in growing dieffenbachia are the loss of leaves (from age, drafts, cold, underwatering), rotting of the trunk (from excessive watering), pale color of the leaves (from direct sunlight).

WATERING abundant, regular. It is useful to wipe the leaves of Dieffenbachia from time to time with a damp sponge. It is necessary to constantly spray the plant with soft boiled water. If dieffenbachia does not have enough moisture, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and fall off, the same will happen from too abundant watering.

LIGHTING must be selected depending on the number of light spots on the plant. Dieffenbachia with numerous spots, respectively, require more light. Avoid direct sunlight, they can damage the plant. If there is not enough lighting, then the leaves of Dieffenbachia will begin to lose their spotted color. It is enough for the plant to stand at a distance of 1-1.5 meters from the window for normal development. When growing dieffenbachia, try to avoid drafts, otherwise the plant will begin to shed its leaves.

Codiaeum (Codiaeum) - an evergreen shrub with large leathery leaves, very diverse in shape and color. In some varieties of the codiaum flower, the leaf plates are so bizarre or elegant, and the color is multi-colored and artistic, that the bush looks like a huge exotic plant.

The main advantage of this codiaum flower is its longevity; with good care, it will not wither for many years. In Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, there are about 15 species belonging to this genus of the Euphorbia family. In nature, these are large shrubs or evergreen trees about 3-4 m high. In indoor floriculture, only the variegated codiaum species (Codiaeum variegatum), or croton, and numerous hybrids and varieties derived from it, are used.

Indoor flower codiaum variegated or croton

Variegated codiaum, or croton (Codiaeum variegatum var. Pictum) - an evergreen shrub up to 1.5 m high with large (about 30 cm long), leathery, shiny leaves of various shapes - narrow or wide, laurel-shaped or ribbon-shaped, spirally twisted or fancifully -cut out.

The young leaves of the indoor flower codiaum, located in the upper part of the bush, are green or slightly yellowish, but as they grow older, their mottled multi-colored color appears: yellow, red, orange, brown, located in spots or along the veins. In some varieties, such an intricate pattern can be traced on the leaves that it seems as if an artist decorated it.

Croton very rarely blooms at room conditions, and if it blooms, then it is better to cut off the flowers, as they greatly weaken the plant, and do not differ in special beauty. The croton flower is strewn with small white-yellow balls with fluffy stamens, collected in loose racemose inflorescences.

Varieties of codiaum (croton) in the photo

On sale there are many varieties of codiaum, differing in the variety of colors, the shape of the petals and the height of the stem.

Aucubofolia- yellow pattern on green leaves resembles the color of aucuba leaves.

Baron J. de Rotschild- leaves of different ages change color from olive green to pink and orange. As can be seen in the photo of the croton, the veins on all the leaves of this variety of codiaum are underlined in red.

Batic- the leaves seem to be painted using the batik technique.

Bravo- leaves are green with yellow spots.

Norma- the main background of the leaf is green with yellow spots and red veins.

Goldfinger- the leaves are long, narrow, green in color, a yellow stripe runs along the central vein.

Mrs Iceton- the leaves are large, elliptical in shape, young leaf plates are colored yellow-green, and more "adult" red-orange with a transition to dark green.

spiral- red and green leaves are twisted spirally.

Yellow Snow- yellow spots on a green background, reminiscent of snow flakes.

There are varieties of codiaum, photos of which are presented in our photo gallery, with less artistic coloring of the leaves. However, this is offset by their intricate shape.

Golden Bell- leaves with constrictions.

Mammie- leaf plates are strongly twisted.

Mascarena- the leaves are straight, narrow, but hanging down, and not directed upwards as in other varieties of codiaum.

Сraigii and Нoluffiana- varieties with lobed leaves.

In the design of the premises, the plant can be used both as a tapeworm and in flower arrangements.

Caring for codiaum (croton) at home

Codium (croton) is often, by analogy with other euphorbia, referred to as unpretentious plants. However, in order to see the plant in all its glory, you will have to try to provide it with optimal conditions. The main one is constancy, that is, the level of illumination, temperature, watering and air humidity. all year round should be about the same. However, it should be taken into account that the bright lighting, which is necessary for the richness of colors on the leaves, happens in the southern window in winter, and in the summer the same lighting is on the east or west. When caring for codiaum at home, care should be taken to protect the plant from direct sunlight, which can cause burns on the leaves.

The temperature in winter should be maintained at +18 +24 °C. Watering should be such that the clod of earth is constantly wet, that is, plentiful in summer, but without stagnant water (good drainage is required), and more rare in winter. In hot weather and during the heating season, croton should be sprayed often, even washed. If the air is very dry, indoor flower the codiaum can shed its foliage, and in place of the lost leaf, a new one will never grow. The plant does not tolerate the presence of lime in the water.

During the period of active growth, in spring and in the first half of summer, croton is fed every 2 weeks, if possible with alternating mineral and organic fertilizers.

Croton care at home involves an annual transplant of young plants. The codiaum flower is transplanted necessarily by the transshipment method, since its roots are very easily injured. Older crotons can be transplanted every 2-3 years. A compact crown is formed by pruning, which can be carried out throughout the year. On young shoots with three or four formed leaves, pinch the growth point, which slows down the growth of shoots in length and stimulates their branching. The codiaum is propagated by apical cuttings, which are rooted in any substrate or even in water. To speed up the process, it is better to use phytohormones.

26 mar 2015

The green color is standard for coloring the leaves and stems of plants, since they contain chlorophyll - this coloring matter is involved in the process of photosynthesis, that is, it produces nutrients for the plant in the light. But there are plants in which the leaves are completely colored or have a pattern of a different color.

Decoratively deciduous plants with variegated or multi-colored leaves contain other dyes in the cells. For example, the pigment in the leaves, carotene or xontophyll, makes the leaves orange-yellow, these substances are also involved in photosynthesis. But the leaves with a red-blue color contain the substance anthocyanin, it does not support the process of photosynthesis. There are plants with variegated leaves with white patches, which means that there are no pigments in these places and these leaf patches do not participate at all in the process of synthesis of nutrients for the plant. The creamy and yellow color of the leaves means that there is chlorophyll in these places, but only much less than in green leaves.

Most plants with variegated and multi-colored leaves grow well only in sufficient light, although their varieties with solid green leaves can even be shade-loving. Since plants with leaves that contain less chlorophyll cannot produce their full amount of nutrients, they grow more slowly than plants with completely green leaves and require more careful care.

variegated plants always attract the eye. Leaves with a white, yellow, cream pattern seem unusual, bright to us. In fact, all variegated plants are mutants, that is, they carry distorted genes that disrupt the cells' ability to produce chlorophyll, which turns the leaves green and provides the leaves with good nutrition. Of course, there are no plants with absolutely white leaves, they are simply not viable. Basically, the leaves are green in color, and white areas with cells where chlorophyll is absent occupy a small part of the leaf. A motley pattern can be from randomly arranged stripes, strokes and spots, form a border along the edge of the leaves or whiten places along the veins.

In fact, all variegated plants are sick, but since their bright color attracts lovers of indoor plants, they are the first to be sold out in stores. For commercial purposes, breeders are constantly creating new varieties of decorative foliage plants in simply unimaginable colors. It is unlikely that now you can find purely green crotons, dracaena, and ficuses are increasingly with variegated leaves.

Plants with brightly colored leaves are attractive all year round, many choose them instead. flowering plants. For lovers of plants with unusual leaves, varieties of popular flowers with variegated leaves have now appeared, blooming violets with a rosette of bleached leaves or balsam with variegated leaves, geraniums with bright borders on the leaves look original.

The leader among indoor plants with brightly colored leaves is. A colorful croton bush with shiny leathery leaves is a real decoration in the house. Croton leaves can be of different shapes and colors with bright yellow and red spots on a green background or colored veins, for which this plant is often called a "traffic light". Croton - a tropical plant loves moderate heat in the house and high humidity, so the decorative croton leaves should be wiped often with a damp sponge and sprayed. Protect the codiaum from drafts, and so that the leaves do not lose their bright color, mark the plant on a bright window with an east or west direction.


often referred to as a cheap version of codiaum, as this plant is easy to grow from seed, and coleus can outshine any flower in the colorfulness of the leaves. Coleus leaves can be patterned with bright red, burgundy, yellow, white stripes, strokes and borders. The shape of the leaves is similar to the leaves of the nettle, which is why the coleus is often called the "colored nettle". This plant grows rapidly and soon loses its decorative effect, as the stems are exposed and stretched, but the cut coleus cuttings quickly give roots in the water and take root, so coleus can be propagated and rejuvenated without problems.


Very popular . Royal begonia has the most varieties, their leaves have a variety of colors of iridescent flowers, bright spots and borders. Begonias with beautiful leaves require compliance with certain conditions - moderate moisture and good lighting with protection from direct sunlight.

Now many have variegated varieties, they are more attractive than their dark green counterparts. A low sprawling tree of ficus Benjamin with variegated leaves looks fashionable. The tricolor variety of rubber ficus is very popular; on large shiny leathery leaves, a pattern of white, cream and pink strokes mixed with green looks spectacular.

All plants from the arrowroot family -, arrowroot, stromanta, ctenant can boast beautiful pattern on the leaves. These plants are called prayer plants, because when darkening they lift the leaves up, as if folding them together in prayer. To keep the patterned leaves beautiful, provide the plants with high humidity and water regularly. Unlike other plants with brightly colored leaves, arrowroots love partial shade, as the color of their leaves turns pale in bright light.


very popular among indoor plants, has the appearance of a miniature palm tree, linear leaves grow on a slender straight trunk, forming a lush sultan at the top. Most types of indoor dracaena have varieties with brightly colored leaves, with white, yellow or red stripes.

climbing plants such as common ivy, monstera, can now be found as showy variegated varieties. In such a color variation, these plants again become interesting for flower growers. As already mentioned, all variegated plants are genetically modified mutants so that they do not lose their characteristics, they are propagated only by cuttings. Plants require good light to maintain their vibrant colors, without direct sunlight. If there is not enough lighting for variegated plants, then the light areas turn green over time and the leaves may completely lose their decorative colors.

Incredibly beautiful colors. The plant in different lighting conditions can have its own color, in bright light the leaves become bright with a silvery sheen, and in partial shade they turn green.


modest unpretentious plant, some types of oxalis can grow in the garden, and tuberous only in room conditions. A variety of oxalis with triangular beet leaves on long thin petioles resemble fluttering butterflies.

is also a tuberous plant. In the spring, the tuber wakes up and incredibly beautiful leaves grow on long petioles, like the wings of an angel. Caladium leaves are very colorful and can be almost white, with red and yellow coloration, with a pattern of bright veins and small specks. Unfortunately, by autumn, the beautiful leaves wither, and the tuber goes dormant until spring.

From the Commeline family, which includes tradescantia, zebrina and fragrant callisia or "golden mustache", they all belong to the decorative leafy group of plants. This undemanding, easy-to-care plant has xiphoid leaves dyed a beet color underneath, as the leaves look up, the reo bush looks quite bright. There are varieties of reo with light stripes on the upper side of the leaves.

Of course, these are far from all plants with decorative multi-colored leaves that I want to talk about and show about. New varieties and species of plants are constantly appearing, surprising with their beauty.

Features of care houseplant hypoesthesia, interesting subtleties in their content and little secrets that will help keep nice shape and flower color for a long time. Hypoestes is a member of the Acanthaceae family.

In English literature, "hypoestes" are called - "polka-dot plant" - "a plant with peas", which is easy to recognize by looking at its original appearance.

It has a very spectacular outfit thanks to the bright spotted leaves of burgundy, white, pink color, on which green veins are visible. There is also a purple variety with white and yellow strokes.

Two attractive species received particular recognition.

Hypoestes blood red(Hypoestes sanguinolenta Hook.) - a beautiful shrub, barely reaches 50 cm in height, densely branched. The leaves are narrowly ovate, 5-8 cm long and 3-4 cm wide, slightly wavy along the edges, entire, dark green tones, with purple-red veins and small spots from pink to purple (depending on the variety). The flowers are small, the corolla is light purple, with a white throat.

Hypoestes leaf spikelet(Hypoestes phyllostachya Baker) - a species close to blood red (H. sanguinolenta). "Polka Dot", which can be translated as "Motley peas". It has soft purple-red leaves. Flowers solitary, axillary, lavender colored.

In culture, hypoestes are represented by numerous varieties and forms.

The original color combination is no longer the only one. You can find almost completely pink leaves or white with small green spots, a border and contrasting veins ... The most popular are the low varieties of the 'Confetti' and 'Splash' series.


In the photo: Hypoestes phyllostachya "Confetti White" - white-greenish with green veins ...

How to care for hypoesthesia at home

Hypoestes is very unpretentious in care, grows well in city apartments, is quite disposed to heat, moisture and bright lighting. Does not tolerate heat and drought. The temperature regime in summer is 18-25 degrees, in winter - 18-20.


Like coleus, hypoestes needs enough sunlight, but if the first can restore the burgundy color after wintering, then the second loses it forever. The plant is shaded from the midday sun.

The color of the leaves depends entirely on the intensity of lighting, the type of soil and top dressing.

Since hypoesthesia does not have enough light in winter, it is recommended to place it on the lightest window sill. If you do not follow the safety of the color in time, then it will be impossible to return the rainbow color and you will have to plant the plant again - from seeds, cuttings or wait until the root system gives new stems.

Spray the leaves frequently to keep the humidity high. Place the pot in a large pot of damp moss, peat moss, or a water-filled bowl of pebbles. Regular watering with soft water, but only after a slight drying of the topsoil. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering along with a slight decrease in temperature.

From March to September, every 2-3 weeks they are fed with mineral fertilizers, it is useful to do potassium top dressing. In winter, the dosage of fertilizers is somewhat reduced, but not stopped (once a month). With a lack of nutrition, the edges of the leaves darken and dry out. By the way, a solution of laundry soap will also be useful.

With good care, hypoestes grow for more than one year, but young specimens look more attractive.

In order for this species to retain its aesthetic shape, it is recommended to pinch it, otherwise the stems will stretch, dry out and die. If this happens, do not be discouraged and do not throw away the flower. Just cut off the withered stem and continue to water the soil - a healthy root system will definitely give offspring.

Hypoesthesia blooms modestly - small flowers appear along the stem. A plant with red and pink leaves purple flowers, with white - white. When they dry out, they can be collected and planted in a pot in the spring. Small seeds will definitely germinate.

Problems in the care of the plant "hypoestes"

It is resistant to diseases, but insufficient care can lead to undesirable consequences:

  • Drying of the edges of the leaves is caused by dry air;
  • Leaves fall due to drafts, insufficient watering and low temperatures - do not allow the soil to dry out;
  • The leaves turn yellow and wither - there may be excessive watering, waterlogging;
  • Paleness of leaves, loss of spotting, leaves turn green - lack of lighting.
  • Spots on the leaves may lighten from overfeeding with nitrogen fertilizers;
  • Brown spots are the result of burns;
  • Without access to fresh air, the plant can become easy prey for spider mites.

The plant looks drooping and weak if it is cold and it is in too wet soil ... It does not tolerate smoke, gas combustion products, drafts, and needs to be ventilated.

Behind appearance hypoesthesia needs to be monitored by properly caring for the flower in order to avoid some problems.

Propagation and rooting of cuttings

For cuttings of hypoestes, only apical cuttings of 3-4 leaves, 8-10 cm long are used. Shoots are cut in spring or early summer. Lower the end of the cutting into the growth stimulator (Kornevin). Planted in a mixture of peat and coarse sand. Cover the pot with plastic wrap and place in a bright, warm place. When the hypoesthesia cuttings grow, pinch the top of the growth.


Growing hypoesthesia from seeds

In March or April, several seeds of hypoesthesia are sown in one container, covered with plastic wrap. Shoots appear quickly. When the seedlings reach 15 cm in height, pinch off the top of the growth to encourage the young plants to tiller. After 3-4 months, hypoestheses take on the appearance of a completely adult plant.

He has a phenomenal ability to reproduce. The plant is prone to self-pollination and small seeds periodically germinate in one or another pot. This shortcoming can be easily eliminated. It's just that hypoesthesia is not allowed to bloom, regularly removing emerging buds.

In flower shops, seeds of varieties from the 'Confetti' and 'Splash' series are presented, the height of the grown plants is 10-25 cm.

  • "Pink Veil" - green, abundantly covered with pink strokes and spots;
  • "Pink" (Confetti Pink) - pale pink with green veins and edge;
  • "White" (Confetti White) - white spots on a dark green leaf surface with greenish veins and an edge;
  • "Red wine" (Confetti Wine Red) - dense green with a burgundy tint and small cyclamen spots and strokes.
  • "Red" (Confetti Red) - most of the leaf surface is raspberry-red, only burgundy-green spots are applied along the veins and along the edge;
  • "Crimson" (Сonfetti carmine-rose) - numerous small pale pink spots are scattered over the burgundy-green leaf surface.
  • "Pink Splash" - the leaves of blood-red hypoesthesia are dotted with pink speckles;
  • "White Splash" - visible on the leaves of the variety beautiful pattern cream color;
  • "Splash Red" - the entire surface is evenly covered with crimson and red-green spots.

In home care, the ratio of young hypoestes to sunlight and humidity should be taken into account ...

Plants with variegated brightly colored leaves always attract the eye. They can serve as decoration of an apartment, office or office.

Plant species with beautiful leaves

Variegated leaves may be various kinds plants, but the most interesting coleus.

Coleus Bloom, depending on the variety, may have large or small elongated heart-shaped leaves. They can be of various colors, velvety in appearance and always variegated. The color of the leaf blades is very diverse. White, red, burgundy, pink, lilac, crimson, leaves. The pattern may be marble, large and small spots, stripes with overflows, speckles, stains. The color scheme of the edging, its width is also very diverse.

Many variegated forms are found among begonias. The leaves of Begonia white-colored, bright green are covered with small white spots. Alfalfa begonias have dark green leaves covered with white dots. It strikes with the beauty of the leaves of "Royal Begonia". Their coloration is bright metallic green, pink, crimson, lilac to purple at the edge of the leaf closer to the center with a silvery belt. The lower part of the leaf blade is almost always red.


Hypestes, a flower with multicolored leaves. Its leaves have a blood red tint and are covered with pinkish spots.


Aglaonema Freda strikes with narrow variegated leaves. They are gray-bluish-green with gray-silver longitudinally diagonal stripes.


Aspidistra variegated has white longitudinal stripes along the veins, on dark green leaves.


Anthurium - majestic white color repeats the pattern of large veins.


Caladium is bicolor, distinguished by the red color of the central part of the leaf, diverging along the veins to the edges of the leaf. The green edging is dotted with small white spots, is wide and does not have a clear outline.


Calathea decorated has very beautiful dark green leaves, with a white feathery pattern extending from the central vein to the edges.


Codiaum, croton. It has wide or narrow, rugged or entire, variegated and brightly colored leaves in lilac, yellow, orange, pink, red, and green.


White-nerved arrowroot, a form of Kerchhoff, is a plant with exceptionally beautifully painted leaves. Broadly oval leaves, up to 15 cm long, as if sitting on short petioles, bright green, with dark brown feather-like or eye-shaped spots arranged in two rows and a light stripe along the central vein. The underside of the leaves is bluish-green to reddish.