By variegated you probably mean plants that have both green and white/yellow sections on the leaves. For heritability it depends on how the variegation occurrs. Most plants typically have three distinct layers to the growing point. The outermost layer is called layer I, the next is Layer II and the innermost one Layer III. These layers tend to stay pretty distinct. If there is a mutation in one of the layers so that layer isn't able to make chlorophyll then the tissue that is derrived from that layer will be white or yellow. In spider plants you can find variegation with green on the outer leaf margin and white in the middle as well as white on the outer margin and green in the middle. The first example has a defective layer I and the second a chlorophyll mutant in layer II. Gametes, or sex cells typically are derrived from layer II. In the past I raised spider plant seeds from variegated plants and got either green or completely albino seedlings. To be able to have heritable variegation it should not be a mutation in just one layer of the growing point. It needs to be due to specific genes present in all the plant cells that code for coloration in different parts of the leaf that can be heritable to offspring so as not to produce albinos. Plants that variegation can be heritable include cyclamen, coleus, and some hostas.

To illustrate variegation due to mutation in certain meristem layers there is the variegated mother-in-laws tounge. The outer edge is gold. The only way to reliably propagate this one is to do divisions from naturally forming axillary or crown buds. These buds typically maintain all three layers and keeps them in tact. If you take a leaf cutting and try to grow a new adventitious bud you won't get a plant like the mother. If the bud starts from the green part you will get a whole green plant and if from the yellow part a yellow sickly plant. Sometimes a shoot can start from the border of the yellow and green, but it will be sectored and not stable.

What types of variegated plants are you interested in breeding? For some plants there isn't much information so the easiest thing to do is raise some open pollinated seed and see if you get some variegated seedlings.

Sincerely,
David

I am wanting to cross Convallaria majalis 'Albostriata.
There is a thumbnail at the link, below. You click the thumbnail for a better view.

Thanks

Dave D.

Thanks a lot.

It can be noted that plants with variegated leaves - white or cream mixed with the green - such as the dieffenbachia are usually good for low-light conditions. It is said that in house plants, variegated plants have less chlorophyll so they need less light. I don't know for sure about that, however.

Variegated corn and tomatoes have special genes that express themselves in subtle ways. The plants are usually smaller and need more light since it has less chlorophyll, but can be "burned" by too much sunlight.

Variegated foliage has occurred for millions of years, often selected against in nature and inherited in small numbers in the progeny.

Cycas revoluta has some great variegated forms and can be seen in photos on Internet searches. Airplane plants are are great example of variegation, either in propogation asexually or by seedlings, as I have lots of experience here.

In conclusion, we may not know the exact cause of every case of variegation, some may be mutants, environmentally induced, etc., but it is a fun study to pursue.

Tom

I once had a talk with the owner of a large pelargonium nursery who told me he was breeding variegated zonal geraniums. He said he was getting about a quarter of the seedlings to be variegated. But, I don't know if any of his cvs were introduced. That was back in the late 70's.

Marbree

This is a very interesting subject!
So far, from my crossing with variegated African Violets, most seem to be variegated. I have used the variegated plant as the Mother as I knew this would increase my chances.
I have 6 variegated Strep plants all with different shades of bloom colour and I am Hoping that these will give variegated plants when crossed, or Selfed. These variegated Streps will need to be the Mother as well to increase chances of variegated babies.
What fun!