Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' Care Guide

Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' is a variegated yellow flag cultivar for pond margins, with cream-and-green spring foliage and yellow flowers.

Overview

Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata' is a cultivated form of the yellow flag iris grown for its striped foliage. The species itself is a herbaceous perennial native to Europe, western Asia and northwest Africa. The cultivar carries the same bright yellow flowers but is valued for cream-and-green variegated leaves, which are most vivid in spring and fade toward green by summer. It is a marginal pond plant rather than a fully submerged aquarium species.

Taxonomy

Family: Iridaceae
Genus: Iris
Scientific name: Iris pseudacorus 'Variegata'
Common synonyms: Variegated Yellow Flag Iris

Habitat

The parent species grows in wetlands and shallow water, where it tolerates submersion, low pH and anoxic soils, often alongside Typha. It spreads quickly in the wild by both rhizome and water-dispersed seed, and outside its native range has become an invasive aquatic plant forming dense single-species stands. The 'Variegata' cultivar is reported to be less vigorous than the species, making it more manageable in cultivation.

Tank requirements

Placement: marginal / background, emersed growth
Planting depth: pond edge to about 30 cm of standing water
Temperature: 5-26 °C (41-79 °F)
pH: 6.0-8.0
GH: 4-20 °dGH
Lighting: high (full sun to partial shade)
CO2: not required
Mature height: up to about 90 cm

Growth and propagation

This is a medium-growing, emergent plant grown from a rhizome. In cultivation it is propagated by rhizome division. The variegation is strongest in spring; cream-and-white striping commonly fades as the season warms, after which the plant produces yellow flowers.