hoya
( HOI - uh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Waxplant, Waxvine, or Waxflower, these tropical beauties take the form of creeping vines or shrubs. They can grow terrestrially as well as epiphytically, and typically have succulent green foliage. Clusters (commonly called 'spurs') of waxy, sweet-scented flowers appear at any time during the year.
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Hoya Species and Varietals
The genus Hoya includes over 500 distinct species, and is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae. The genus is named for botanist Thomas Hoy. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Hoya archboldiana Native to Papua New Guinea, this species is popularly cultivated as a houseplant. It was discovered in 1933, and named after the famous America aviator and explorer Richard Archbold. Large leaves are dark green and succulent, and flowers are cup-shaped and white with mauve to red-colored outlining on petals. |
Hoya bhutanica This species, endemic to Bhutan, is considered to be an endangered species and likes to grow in tropical damp areas. It is commonly seen as an epiphytic plant in its natural range, and produces green waxy leaves and white flowers with pink and yellow centers that bloom in spherical flower inflorescences. |
Hoya bilobata (Wax Plant, Porcelain Flower) This trailing evergreen reaches two feet or more in length and loves to climb. This species is native to the Phillippines and was first described in 1906 by botanist Rudolph Schlechter. Leaves are green and waxy, and flowers are a pastel warm pink with yellow centers. |
Hoya carnosa (Porcelainflower, Wax Plant) Native to eastern Asia, this species has attractive waxy green foliage. Flowers produced are sweetly scented and white with bright orange to red centers. Variety Hoya carnosa compacta is known as the Hindu Rope Plant, and has folded, curled leaves and pink flowers. |
Hoya imbricata This species is native to the Philippines and Indonesia. Leaves are large and green, mottled with purple and cream tones. Foliage overlaps, mimicking roof tiles, and can lay flat against buildings and other structures. Flower petals are very recurved, and are peach-yellow in color with white edges and pinkish red centers. |
Hoya kerrii (Lucky-Heart) This unique species is native to southern Asia and associated islands, and produces green heart-shaped leaves. These plants are commonly sold on Valentine's day in Europe, and produce waxy white flowers with burgundy centers. This species can reach 13 feet long and was first collected by Arthur Francis George Kerr in 1910. |
Hoya macgillivrayi This fast-growing, vigorous vine is native to northeastern Australia and is named for William David Kerr Macgillivray, the botanist who collected the type specimen. These plants have green waxy foliage and a twining growth habit. Flowers are pink dark purple and are more closed than other species' blooms (which are usually so open that they recurve towards the base). This species is considered rare, due to seeds taking a long time to germinate and issues with poaching from its native habitat. |
Hoya meliflua (The Little Fraterna) This species has green, stiff succulent leaves and produces nectar which drips from the center of the flower and stains petals. Flowers are commonly red to orange in color with dark centers. Variety Hoya meliflua fraterna has narrower, thinner leaves than the species. Native to the Philippines. |
Hoya multiflora (Hoya celebica) This species is native to China and other tropical areas of Asia, and reaches about 20 inches tall. Leaves are long and leathery, and white flowers have long recurved portions and pink to purple center markings. This species produces an upright growing plant that needs staking. |
Hoya obscura This fast-growing vine is native to the Philippines and has medium-sized green succulent leaves that will take on reddish tones when grown in sunny conditions. This Hoya plant is considered very easy to grow and is commonly sold as an indoor houseplant. In its native habitat, Hoya obscura is epiphytic to semi-epiphytic. |
Hoya serpens This small trailing vine is native to the Himalayas and surrounding areas, and has dark green hairy leaves. Foliage sports random greyish-cream spots. Flowers are green and fuzzy with white and magenta centers. Flowers last for about a week and produce very little nectar compared to other Hoya species. This species was first published in 1883 by Joseph Dalton Hooker. Great in hanging baskets. |
Caring for Microsorum
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Colocasia plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests:
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Gallery
Videos
Learn about these interesting houseplants.
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An educational video about Cast-Iron Plant.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page
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