Instead of the dark green, button-like leaves of the Hoya Mathilde, the Hoya Mathilde 'Splash' is mostly covered in matte silver patches / splashes, which give this already loveable plant an extra something special. Exactly the same as the green Mathilde in all care aspects apart from one thing: lighting. The silver colour can be found in the genes of many different types of Hoya and works similarly to plants which have white variegation. These patches produce much less chlorophyll than the green parts of leaves, and therefore do not photosynthesise nearly as much (or at all). This means that silver 'splashed' Hoyas need higher light in order to photosynthesis effectively and if not provided the correct lighting, can fade back to green. Therefore, unlike the green, shade-loving Mathilde, the 'Splash' needs consistent bright light for it to really shine.

This Hoya is not a natural species, but instead a hybrid cultivar. It came about through crossing Hoya Carnosa (your classic Hoya species, known for it's resilience and fast growth) with the dainty Hoya Serpens (the reason for the Mathilde's dinkier leaf shape). Both of these Hoyas can be found in Southeast Asia.