How2Day: Green & White Plants

Green and white hosta plant Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
Plants with interesting ornamental foliage can be just as valuable to the home garden as a plant with showy, colorful flowers. Gardeners who prefer white and green plants have a range of variegated cultivars to choose from, many of which may also be cultivated indoors or in shady outdoor locations.

A member of the spiral ginger family, crepe ginger (Costus speciosus) is a large plant that hails from southeast Asia. Growing to a height of up to 10 feet, the plant produces broad, waxy leaves topped with reddish stalks of white flowers. Cultivars such as 'Variegatus' offer variegated white and green leaves, while 'Foster Variegated' offers creamy white and green striped leaves. Crepe ginger is fast growing and largely pest-free, thriving in USDA zones 7 to 12. The plant prefers partial sunlight, ideally in a well-draining, moist soil enhanced with organic compost or leaf mold. The plant will tolerate full sunlight if given plenty of water.

Hosta 'Patriot' is a hosta cultivar that offers emerald green leaves framed with crisp white margins. The plant grows to be between 1 and 3 feet tall, producing small lavender flowers in the summer. Hosta plants are well known for their ability to tolerate shade, and this variety is no exception. Plant hosta 'Patriot' in a partial or full shade location in USDA zones 3 to 9. Use a fertile, moist soil that is also well draining. The plant works well in a bed or border, and may also be cultivated in a container. Watch for common hosta pests such as slugs and snails.

Also known as ribbon plant, spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is an evergreen member of the lily family that has a mounding, clumping habit. Commonly used in hanging baskets and containers, spider plant offers several cultivars with green and white leaves. 'Variegatum' has green leaves with white margins, while 'Vittatum' has green leaves with a broad white strip down the center. Spider plant is tolerant of a range of conditions, and can be grown indoors or outdoors in dry or humid air. A native of South Africa, spider plant does best outdoors in USDA zones 8 to 11. The plant is somewhat drought tolerant once established.

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