Vanilla planifolia ‘Variegata’

Description

Vanilla planifolia ‘Variegata’ is a decorative variegated vanilla orchid with green leaves streaked in cream to yellow-white. It grows as a tropical climbing vine and can eventually flower and produce vanilla pods when mature and successfully pollinated.

Light

Provide bright, filtered light and protect the pale variegated tissue from strong afternoon sun. Plants grown in very low light may stretch and lose some of their strongest contrast. Browse our tropical plant collection for other warm-growing choices.

Water and Potting Mix

Keep the root zone lightly moist while allowing plenty of air around the roots. A loose mix containing bark and other coarse material works better than dense, water-retentive soil.

Support the Vine

Train the vine on a trellis, moss pole, or similar support. Aerial roots develop along the stem and can attach as the plant climbs.

Flowers and Pods

Flowering is a maturity milestone and may take considerable time. Where natural pollinators are absent, flowers generally require hand pollination to set pods.

Compare Vanilla Forms

See the classic green Vanilla Bean Orchid or compare this plant with Vanilla planifolia ‘Albo-Variegata’ for another variegated form.