變葉木屬常綠灌木，原產馬來群島至大洋洲。株高可達3m。互生薄革質葉，葉片大小、形狀、顏色差異非常大，本種是長條形螺旋狀葉片的園藝品種，新葉有紅、黃色斑紋，老葉變紫黑或深綠色。雌雄同株異花序，總狀花序自葉腋伸出，花白色直徑約0.5cm，開花夏季，花微小不具觀賞性。

An evergreen shrub in the genus Codiaeum, native from Malay Islands to Oceania. The plant can grow to 3m tall. Alternate leathery leaves diverse in leaf size, shape and color. This species is a cultivar with long spiral-shaped leaves. New leaves display red and yellow markings, while old leaves turn dark purple or dark green. Monoecious and heterogeneous inflorescences. Racemes extending from the leaf axils bear white flowers of 0.5 cm in diameter. Bloom in summer, but flowers are tiny and not ornamental.

全日照溫暖環境，冬季低溫期部份品種會落葉，少數品種稍具耐陰性，可種植於樹蔭下，大多數品種日照充足葉色才會鮮明。介質肥沃可以促進生長，春至秋季每季施用一次長效性綜合肥料。繁殖使用扦插法。

Grown in full-sun warm climates. Some varieties shed leaves in severe winter. Very few varieties who are slightly shade tolerant can be planted under tree shades. Fertility is required to promote the growth; apply long-active compound fertilizers once every season from spring to autumn. Propagated by cuttings.

葉色豐富變化多端的觀葉植物，可以列植為綠籬或成片種植為地被，葉色鮮艷的品種亦適合作為灌叢使用於庭園中，相當具有熱帶風格。

A foliage ornamental with variegated leaves can be planted as hedges or as ground cover. The varieties with colorful foliage are also suitable for use as shrubs in gardens to create a tropical vibe.