It is an ascending to prostrate shrub with elliptic leaves, usually with toothed edges, and racemes or thyrses of yellow flowers.

Goodenia varia is an ascending to prostrate shrub that typically grows to a height of 1.0 m (3 ft 3 in) and is usually sticky when young.

[2][3][4][5][6] Goodenia varia was first formally described in 1810 by Robert Brown in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae.

[7][8] The specific epithet (varia) means "variable", referring to the shape of the leaves.

[9] Sticky goodenia grows in Triodia grassland, woodland, mallee and coastal communities from Eucla in Western Australia and eastwards to south-eastern South Australia, north-western Victoria and far south-western New South Wales.