Hoya australis ‘Outside Variegated’ – H240

Hoya australis ‘Outside Variegated’ is a climbing Hoya with thick green leaves edged in irregular cream to yellow variegation. Collection Number 240 identifies this particular form within our Hoya collection.

This is the outside or margin-variegated form, with most of the green retained through the centre of each leaf. It should not be confused with the commonly grown centre-variegated forms of Hoya australis.

Key Characteristics

• Growth habit: Vigorous climbing vine that benefits from a trellis or other support
• Foliage: Thick, oval leaves with green centres and cream to yellow outer margins
• New growth: Young vines can initially grow for some distance before producing leaves
• Flowers: Rounded umbels of waxy white flowers with reddish markings beneath the pale central corona
• Fragrance: Sweet and noticeable, particularly on mature flowering plants
• Origin: Variegated form of a species native to Australia and parts of Southeast Asia and the western Pacific

Care

• Light: Grow in bright, filtered light. Good light helps maintain the variegation, but harsh afternoon sun may scorch the pale leaf margins.
• Water: Water thoroughly, then allow the mix to partially dry before watering again. Avoid keeping the roots continually wet.
• Temperature: Best grown under intermediate to warm conditions, generally between 15–35°C. Protect from frost and prolonged cold conditions.
• Humidity: Moderate humidity is suitable. Maintain good air movement, particularly under humid conditions.
• Media: Use an open, free-draining Hoya mix that allows plenty of air around the roots.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser at reduced strength during active growth.
• Support: Train the developing vines onto a trellis or allow them to climb through another suitable support.

Maintaining the Variegation

The amount and placement of variegation will vary naturally between leaves. Some growth may be strongly margined, while other leaves may contain only a narrow line of cream or yellow.

Watch for stems that continue to produce completely green leaves. Persistent all-green growth may be removed back to the last clearly variegated node to prevent it from outgrowing the slower variegated sections.

Flowering

Established plants flower best when given good light and allowed to develop mature vines. Do not remove old flower spurs or peduncles, as Hoya australis can flower repeatedly from the same points.

Please note: Variegation differs naturally between plants and individual leaves. The plant supplied may have more or less cream and yellow colouring than the photographed example.