Hoya australis 'Blondie' (albomarginata)

Hoya australis 'Blondie' is a cultivar with thick, glossy, oval foliage and marginal variegation, featuring a green center and creamy-yellow margins. New growth may appear pink, burgundy, or red, with the colors becoming lighter as the leaf matures. It has a climbing habit. 'Blondie' is a trade name; albomarginata describes the pattern. Under good growing conditions, it may produce umbels of waxy white flowers with a pinkish-red center and an intense fragrance, characteristic of the species.

Foliage and growth. The leaves are opposite, oval, thick, and glossy. The green center is framed by cream to pale-yellow margins. New leaves may have pink, burgundy, or red tones; as the plant grows, the warm tones fade and the green-and-cream contrast becomes more pronounced. The width of the margins and the distribution of the colors vary naturally between specimens and between leaves on the same plant. Foliage color also changes depending on the season and light exposure. The stems are climbing.

Flowers and fragrance. Under good growing conditions, the plant may produce spherical umbels with waxy, predominantly white flowers featuring a pinkish-red center. The flowers are fragrant and may last for approximately one week. Flowering depends on the plant's maturity and growing conditions. These traits are documented for the species Hoya australis; the main ornamental value of the 'Blondie' selection remains its foliage.

Identity. The accepted botanical name of the species is Hoya australis R.Br. ex J.Traill. The species is an epiphytic plant native to Borneo, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Australia, and several islands in the southwestern Pacific. 'Blondie' is a cultivar selected for its variegated foliage. Its height, including the pot, is approximately 20 cm. The intensity of the variegation and the coloration of new growth may vary from one plant to another.

Substrate: use an airy, well-draining mix suitable for epiphytic species. We recommend the professional substrate for Hoya and Anthurium - SG Mix.

For complete recommendations on light, watering, substrate, fertilization, propagation, and flowering, read the complete Hoya care guide.