Hoya Australis 'Lisa' Kokedama

Hoya australis 'Lisa'

Color in Transition

Hoya australis 'Lisa' is a variegated cultivar of Hoya australis, subspecies tenuipes, prized for watercolor-like foliage splashed with bright green, lime, yellow, and cream. New leaves often open in vibrant pink or ruby red before settling into their variegated pattern, so a single plant can showcase several stages of color at once. Native to eastern Australia, it grows as a climbing vine, with stems that lengthen and reach for something to hold.

It is set in kokedama form, a centuries-old Japanese technique of binding a plant's roots into a hand-formed ball of soil and moss, with no pot required. The young stems rise upright at first, then trail and climb with age. In bright conditions, a mature wax plant can send out clusters of fragrant, star-shaped white flowers.

Bright Light, Measured Water

Give this Hoya bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal, with a few hours of gentle morning sun and shelter from harsh midday and late-afternoon rays that can scorch the leaves. Steady, high light keeps the variegation defined and, on a mature plant, encourages blooming. Hoyas tend to flower only once they are a few years old and slightly root-bound, so there's no need to move it to a larger home often.

Let the moss ball dry about halfway between waterings; usually, once a week is enough. Soak it for 10 to 15 minutes, squeeze out the excess, and return it to the tray; ease off through the winter. The leaves store water and pucker slightly when thirsty, while yellow, soft leaves are a sign of too much.

Each kokedama includes your choice of a white or gray patina tray 

As It Grows

The newest leaves carry the strongest pink and ruby tones before settling into cream, lime, and green. Stems lengthen with age; leave them to reach outward, or train them around a small support.

If your plant flowers, leave the old flower spurs, or peduncles, in place. Hoyas often bloom again from the same point, season after season. 

IN A NUTSHELL

	Bright, indirect light with gentle morning sun. Strong light helps maintain variegation and supports flowering.
	Soak the moss ball when substantially dry, usually about once a week depending on conditions. Drain well and never leave standing in water.