Hoya sp. (Wax Flower)

Botanical name: Hoya sp.

Common name: Wax Flower

Family: Apocynaceae (Formerly:Asclepiadaceae)

Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae

Origin: Eastern Asia and Australia

USDA Zone: 9-11?

Hardiness: 35°F

Hoya sp. (Wax Plant) is an epiphytic or lithophytic vine in the genus Hoya, noted for opposite often succulent leaves, readily rooting nodes, and persistent peduncles that carry rounded umbels of waxy star shaped flowers with a raised corona; many forms are evening fragrant and nectar rich, and mature plants may produce paired slender follicles with silky tufted seeds. Flexible shoots can be trained on trellises and hoops or allowed to trail from hanging baskets indoors or in warm greenhouses.

Provide bright filtered light, warm temperatures around 65-85 F, and moderate to high humidity. Grow in a very free draining epiphytic mix (bark, perlite, coco chips), water thoroughly then allow the surface to dry slightly; reduce watering in the cool or low light season. Do not overpot, as slight root crowding promotes bloom, and do not remove old peduncles because umbels rebloom on the same spurs. Feed lightly during active growth and propagate from node cuttings. Outdoors it is suitable for USDA Zones 10-11 only and is frost tender, so protect plants when nights fall below about 45-50 F or overwinter containers indoors.