Why do some hoya princesses revert and some do not?

last year

I saw a few posts here talking about this years ago but no one seemed to know. I have 2 hoya princesses that were bought separately from different greenhouses. One of them produces all variegated leaves no matter the light intensity and one that produces some green leaves with splash occasionally. It must be the DNA of the plant because I have pushed the one to the brink even burning it giving it so much light in attempt to see if it puts out only variegated leaves. I did acclimate it slowly trying not to burn it. It did slightly burn but it will be fine in case your worried. Why???? Is it a condition thing or something else? Anyone know? TIA!

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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

last year

last modified: last year

Some plants are naturally variegated due to natural selection. An example would be a forest floor plant that lives in dappled shade and needs the camouflage provided by the variegation. The genetic type of variegation is inherited and can be passed down from generation to generation, making this type of variegation very stable. Chimeric variegation, on the other hand, arises from a random mutation and is not stable. To maintain this type of variegation, you need to remove all green parts as they appear, and propagate by cuttings from the part of the plant currently showing variegation; even then, there is no guarantee the plant won't revert. Reversion in plants showing chimeric variegation can be caused by low light and/or temperature extremes. Under low light conditions, chimeric variegation reverts because the plant is getting chemical signals that more food is needed. Since the green pigment, chlorophyll, is a major player in the production of the plant's true food (sugar/ glucose), the plant is highly incentivized to produce more (green) chlorophyll, which then masks the variegated parts. Coaxing the plants to regain their former variegation is usually unsuccessful because the plants are equally disincentivized to go back to a state of variegation, which limits food production.

Other types of variegation include blister or reflective variegation, viral variegation, and variegation due to irradiation.

There is also a form of variegation that is chemically induced, and is not long-lasting, usually reverting within 6 months to a year.

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Comments (6)

popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
last year
Yes, it's in the DNA. These plants are both originally from the parent plant carnosa. No amount of light is going to change a vine that is growing all-green leaves to variegation again. Some people just cut the all-green vines out of their hoyas. Both Krimson Princess and Krimson Queen are known to pretty easily revert.
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I think you may as well let the green growth on the Hoya kerrii develop until it is big enough to root a cutting from. You may as well get another plant out of it because it you cut it back right now you may not see new growth right away because of the time of year. My Hoya kerrii is growing well right now and developing new leaves but I am sure that's a response to finally being repotted and getting a little more attention than it got in the past. The gloominess of fall is here and I get my plant by with artificial light but I am not sure if you do the same? I think once those new leaves harden up you should be good to cut the green growth but only if you can root it in the winter, otherwise I would let it grow and cut in the spring. Mike
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My house is fairly dry in winter and I don't have these problems. Can you describe the mix you use? Soil is one of those things that every grower tweaks over years to get the perfect mix that works for your environment, your watering habits, heat/humidity, etc. I use only coir and perlite, and for me and my environment and watering habits, it's perfect. For someone who lives in AZ where it's dry and hot, it would surly mean death to their plants. For someone with a heavy hand in watering, it wouldn't be loose enough. Some people add orchid bark to basically what I use. I find that makes the mix too loose and forces me to water more than is my habit. How long have you been growing Hoyas? If for several years, I'd guess you are right and it's probably the weird year you're experiencing, and there's probably little you can do about it. I don't know what kind of winters you have there, but ours are very harsh and I inevitably have a few casualties. But most of my Hoyas come through with flying colors. And I grow a lot of succulents as well... I don't have much trouble with them in winter, either, as long as I'm careful not to over-water. Denise in Omaha
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popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
last year
Thank you for the more scientific explanation, Al!
Jennifer Brennan
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you for responding! I really appreciate it. I would chop them back but I have had them for years. I will love them as they are. They are pretty regardless. I was just curious because everything I have read elsewhere seems to have different answers. This forum seems to have extremely knowledgeable people. I have been a lurker for a long time lol. I get a lot of great info on here! It makes sense, they are carnosa. I suppose I was hoping I wouldn't have to chop it back, its about as tall as me. Seems like a daunting task. 😃
Meyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)
last year
I hear you.

My Lisa Hoya is growing half all green and half variegated and that I can't understand why.

Why would a plant grow half green and half variegated all from the same trunk?

Just weird.

I am wondering if I should cut the green vine off or leave as is?

What would you do?

Mike
Jennifer Brennan
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
The comments above have great info. I am pretty sure the same thing applies for yours as well I believe. It just comes from the regular australis instead of the carnosa.

If mine were smaller, I would cut all the reverted vines back and then prop some variegated vines to add to soil. Instead, I am just going to prop some variegated vines to add back into my soil so it looks a bit more variegated in the areas where there isn't a lot and leave the unvariegated ones alone for the most part. Regardless what you do, I think hoyas are some of the prettiest plants around..can't go wrong with a hoya, expecially the carnosa and the australis. Super chill plants.

After reading the comments above I typed some of the wording in and found this article https://askgardening.com/how-to-induce-variegation-in-plants/

I am sure there are better ones from edu. websites but, it explains the different methods to variegation in more detail. I couldn't find anything before but thats because I didn't have the right questions for the search engine I suppose. I am not internet savvy! It was probably a dumb question but the information is not easily found for me a lot of the time.

Why do some hoya princesses revert and some do not?

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

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popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)

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Why do some hoya princesses revert and some do not?

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

Comments (6)

popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)

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popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)

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Meyermike(Zone 6a Ma.)

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Jennifer Brennan
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