Happy New Year 2024! For this very first column of the new year, I want to keep the festive spirit going by introducing some truly spectacular "ultra-premium variegated succulents."
Every plant featured here was actually ordered and added to my new "collection." While I've spent some money here and there in the past—buying rare plants or traveling just to write columns—this just might be the most expensive column I've ever done (lol).
Of course, it's all thanks to your continued support—whether you've made a purchase from PUKUBOOK COLLECTION or PUKUBOOK SUCCULENTS, or simply visited the site to cheer us on. You have been the backbone of this "funding." This article is my way of sharing my gratitude with you.
Last year, for the 2023 Succulent of the Year, I (unofficially) chose the "Monstrose" types—Black Madiba and Thriller Pearl. Coming up strong in 2024 is the ultra-desirable "Lola Variegated" series.
Interestingly, there seem to be two different "Lola Variegated" plants: one with yellow variegation and one with white. The white type is called “Platinum E. 'Lola Variegated Platinum' ,” while the yellow version, for convenience, I call “Gold E. 'Lola Variegated Gold' .” As of January 2024, in Japan, "Lola Variegated" refers only to the Gold type, and the white is found only on some international sites (it might only exist in my collection here in Japan!). Cutting-edge, right?
Even more intriguing are variegated forms with random stripe patterns also circulating as "Lola Variegated." Surprisingly, these are not seen overseas and might actually be "Deresina Variegated E. 'Deresina Variegated' " or "Peacockii Bluete Variegated E. peacockii Bluete f. variegata ."
Are less popular but similar varieties sometimes sold under the hotter "Lola Variegated" name?! Unscrupulous sellers! Well, not calling anyone out in particular (lol)—stuff like this happens a lot. It's just another quirky part of the succulent industry that keeps things fascinating (picture me grinning like Ryuk from 'Death Note').
My job here is just to present facts, note possible theories, and share them with you as is.
I picked this one up as a "while you’re at it" buy when ordering Lola Variegated, but it turned out to be even pricier—the highest I've ever paid for an Echeveria! There are several so-called "Shaviana Variegated" types, but all are at premium prices, and this "Madre del Sur Variegated" is easily the most extravagant.
The Madre del Sur itself is sometimes called “Madresh” and is a color form of Shaviana. It’s known for shifting from red to orange hues, and the variegated form shares these vibrant colors.
When naturally variegated forms of already popular species emerge, you know they’re bound to be in high demand—especially if they are drop-dead gorgeous.
This is the white-edged variegation type of Lilacina E. lilacina . The subtle vertical striations around the edges, combined with that signature, sharply pointed, outward-facing form, give it a poised, elegant look. Sometimes it gets a bit unruly, adding a mysterious allure—definitely worthy of its high-class reputation.
This white-edged version of the “Subrigida E. subrigida ,” a sibling of 'Cante,' feels similar in vibe to Imbricata Variegated E. 'Imbricata Variegated' , but with larger, more luxurious leaves that simply outshine any similar variety. Because leaf cuttings don’t work for mass propagation here, the price is likely to stay high for a while…
This is the edged variegation form of Blue Heron E. 'Blue Heron' . The gently curled silhouette already echoes Shaviana, but the way that edge color shifts from yellow to orange under stress is so distinctive! This is one new variegated face I’m particularly excited about.
The variegated type of the graceful hybrid Hakuhou E. 'Hakuhou' spreads thick, large, snow-white leaves. The palette is a complex weave of white, yellow, green, and red—so richly variegated that the "Nishiki" (brocade) in its name feels totally justified. Of course, with true Hakuhou genes, it also boasts impressive size—a guaranteed showstopper in any succulent garden.
The variegated form of Exotic, Echeveria 'Exotic', with random stripe patterns. There’s a new one, Cubic Frost Variegated (Echeveria 'Cubic Frost'), that looks almost identical, and both plants have similar forms. Honestly, it’s hard to tell which came first—perhaps both “variegated” types are actually the same thing (the leading theory for now).
The variegated form of Victor E. 'Victor' —or so it's said. They’re still scarcely available in larger sizes, so it’s unclear whether the leaves will thicken up like Victor’s usually do. But its tendency to branch and form clusters of offsets matches Victor’s signature style perfectly.
As of the end of 2023, this super-rare plant probably only exists in my collection in Japan (lol). It’s similar to Esther Variegated E. 'Esther Variegated' , but its variegation patterns are more refined and elegant.
The variegated form of Graptoveria Silver Star G. 'Silver Star' . With dense leaves edged in white, its silhouette may remind you of Minima Variegated E. minima f.variegata , but those long, slender, outward-curving points are a Silver Star signature. Silver Star grows into a large single head, so I’m very curious to see how it looks matured.
As of 2023, the still highly coveted "Chihuahuaensis Variegated" comes in two types: one with pale ivory edge variegation spreading throughout (the Slight Type E. chihuahuaensis 'Slight Variegated' ), and another with bold, uneven stripes. This latter type is called "Yin Yang" overseas and is the one featured here. Even among offsets from the same parent, patterning varies. The variegation is so light and ethereal it almost doesn't look striped—and the white tips might be caused by that same variegation. Placing it under stronger light seems to intensify the patterns, so I’m monitoring its progress. Currently, it’s relatively accessible price-wise!
For the variegated type of Sedum pachyphyllum 'Otomegokoro' S. pachyphyllum , there are two types: one with random stripes and one that is overall lighter in color. In Japan, both get called simply "Otomegokoro Variegated" without distinction. But overseas, the softer blue form is Thin Blue Form S. pachyphyllum f.variegata 'Thin Blue Form' and the striped form is just Otomegokoro Variegated S. pachyphyllum f.variegata . Both are also sometimes called "Koigokoro Variegated," but their true origins are unclear—and personally, I’m not convinced they’re strictly the same plant as Koigokoro…
The variegated type of Runyonii E. runyonii . Tracing their lineage, these all appear to come from the same source, but comparing them side by side there are definitely differences. Still, it's possible the differences are just environmental, so I’m growing them together for observation. Hopefully by summer, an answer will emerge.
The "Lovely Rose Variegated" used to command sky-high prices, but it’s finally coming down. Broadly speaking, there is a white type with random stripes and a red type with stripes and red specks. Looking at my photos from last year, the really expensive ones were the extra white, glossy type—maybe that’s another separate line altogether…
The once expensive "Esther Variegated" is almost at mass-market prices now, but as growers start to select for color differences, "color variations" are appearing. I grabbed a "Gold" type, but it looks like there may be more out there. How many can I possibly chase down…?
And finally, when it comes to color variation, you have to mention Minima! Both Minima and Minima Variegated keep spawning all sorts of names related to their color forms—so I decided to just collect them all at once! Honestly, I might have the broadest Minima collection in Japan (if anyone else has them all, let’s be friends!).
But are they really "different"? Maybe, maybe not. At least for now, there are no crystal-clear differences to prove they’re distinctly different—maybe some quirks from propagation or grower selection at best. If you already have one, there’s probably no need to get the others.
And so begins 2024! This year, I’m planning more adventures collecting and comparing these "traditionally out-of-reach premium species," plus some experimental growing setups. Of course, the "war chest" for plant-buying is a huge help, and if you ever feel like helping out—by rehoming plants or sharing the love—please consider it!
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