Hakea victoria, commonly known as Royal Hakea or Lantern Hakea, is a narrow evergreen shrub endemic to Western Australia, prized for its striking variegated foliage displaying vibrant shades of cream, yellow, orange, and red that change with the seasons. The species is easily grown from seed using conventional sowing methods, requiring no special pre-treatment and germinating readily within 2-6 weeks depending on temperature and growing conditions. It thrives in dry, well-drained soils in full sun and is best suited to areas of low humidity where its ornamental foliage develops optimal coloration.
Before sowing
No pre-treatment needed — sow directly.
No pre-treatment required. Seeds germinate readily using conventional sowing methods.
Sowing
What to expect
Tips
Best sown in spring. Use well-drained seed-raising mix with coarse sand and vermiculite. Sow seeds just beneath the soil surface, do not sow too deep. Keep mix moist but not saturated during germination. Maintain warm temperatures between 20-25°C (68-77°F) for optimal germination. Provide bright, indirect light. For winter sowing, pre-germinate seeds in a closed container with moist vermiculite for 1-2 weeks, then transplant when radicle reaches 1cm. Once germinated, seedlings need 4-6 weeks to grow strong enough for transplanting. Avoid humid conditions as poor foliage coloration develops in high humidity. This species tolerates light shade but prefers full sun. Dislikes wet soils; ensure excellent drainage. Grow as a narrow, ornamental shrub reaching 1.5-2.5m tall by 1-1.5m wide.
Sources: Australian Seed Supplier (2026), Australian Native Plants Society, Gardenia.net, Wikipedia, Gardening with Angus
