how veriegated leaves make food?

Answer 1

Variegated leaves make food through photosynthesis just like any other leaves. The difference is that can make food only with the green portion of their leaves. The white portion has no chloroplasts and can't carry on photosynthesis. They rely on the green parts of the plant to feed them. As a result variegated plants grow slower than their green counterparts. In nature they would be at a natural disadvantage and be eliminated from the population. They are maintained as horticultural plants because of their beauty.