24 Hoya Plant Types for Your Home Garden

Hoya plant, also known as Wax plant, Wax flower, or Wax vine, is a beautiful genus with approximately 200 to 300 distinctive species.

The plants belonging to this genus are native to tropical regions. Their waxy leaves and porcelain-like flowers give these species a classic look.

Due to the porcelain flower, this plant is also called the Porcelain plant.

These plants are widely grown in Southeast Asian countries, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Polynesia, Vietnam, New Guinea, and Australia.

These evergreen perennial plants often grow on trees epiphytically, but some grow in rocky or typical terrestrial areas.

Many of these species are vining plants, and with the assistance of their adventitious root system, they climb other trees or structures by twining.

Hoya Plant Types for Home Garden

Hoya plants are quite popular varieties of houseplants because of their beauty and fewer requirements.

This section will briefly introduce you to the most popular types of Hoya plants to grow with your other indoor plants.

Hoya Acuta

Hoya acuta is a fascinating flowering houseplant planted in hanging baskets. This plant produces multiple flowers during the blooming period.

The star-shaped flowers have pink or purple centers with creamy white borders and appear in clusters.

The heavy fragrance attracts beneficial insects and produces nectar. It has beautiful deep green and glossy leaves.

This houseplant prefers growing under bright indirect light.

It would be better to provide them with a few hours of the morning sun but keep them away from the direct midday sunlight, which may scorch the leaves.

This wax plant should be planted in a well-draining soil mix. Although they are OK with the root bound, you can transfer them to a bigger pot after a few years.

Hoya Affinis

Hoya affinis is popular because of its red wax flowers. The combination of lush green leaves and these red flowers enhances the overall beauty of this houseplant.

This wax plant is native to the Solomon Islands, well known for its extraordinary biodiversity.

Another fact that increases its popularity is the intense fragrance of its flowers.

This species requires more sunlight compared to the others. We suggest you provide them with a minimum of 6 hours of direct sun (including morning sunlight).

You may also place them under filtered light.

Create a watering schedule depending on the temperature in your region, and always use room temperature water for them.

These plants cannot grow well in soggy soil and may die if they remain for a prolonged period.

Hoya Australis

Hoya australis is another beautiful species of wax plant. This is a vine plant that can be found in the rainforest.

This species is widespread because of its star-shaped flowers and beautiful leaves, which have an ovate shape and grow 2-3 inches (6 cm) long.

Like Hoya acuta, this species’ white and star-shaped flowers produce a strong fragrance and too much nectar. This fast-growing plant has long tendrils.

Like the other Hoya species, you need to provide them with bright indirect light. They can tolerate direct morning or afternoon sun.

Make sure that the potting medium is well-draining and contains drainage holes. This plant has a low water demand, and too much water can kill it.

Therefore, follow a watering schedule. It is happy with any indoor temperature, but extreme temperature can be harmful.

You can propagate them easily by stem cuttings.

Hoya Bella

This pretty and epiphytic plant has impressive white-purple-colored and star-shaped flowers.

It is a favorite plant among the new gardeners because of its fewer demands. The bushy appearance of Hoya bella produces clusters of beautifully scented flowers.

These houseplants look best when grown in hanging pots.

Hoya bella should be planted in well-drained potting soil as it cannot survive in soggy soil. Choose a bright spot that receives abundant indirect sunlight.

Feed this wax plant with a balanced fertilizer during the spring and summer.

You may use phosphorus-rich fertilizers to increase the production of Hoya flowers. Overwatering these wax plants may cause root rot.

Hoya Carnosa

Hoya carnosa comes up with beautiful sub-varieties. These wax plants are well known for their unique variegation pattern.

The colors may range from pink, yellow, white, or green. Hoya carnosa looks great when grown in a hanging basket.

These Hoya plants have long vines that may reach 10 feet.

These varieties mostly prefer bright light, although they can adapt to medium light.

But in that case, the growth may become a bit slower, and they don’t produce flowers.

Remember that Hoya carnosa changes its chlorophyll level and leaf thickness depending on the light level [1].

Before watering, always take a look at the soil condition. If the soil surface seems dry, then you may water it. Also, make sure that the potting mix is well-drained.

Hoya Carnosa var. Krimson Queen and var. Krimson Princess

Krimson Queen and Krimson Princess are the two most beautiful wax plant varieties of Hoya carnosa.

These variegated hoya carnosa plants look nearly similar but don’t worry. We will discuss the ways to differentiate them.

Hoya Krimson Queen and Krimson Princess are evergreen and unique plants, and they are mainly treated as ornamental plants.

Both of them have beautiful star-shaped flowers with a sweet scent, but it becomes pretty hard to identify them.

Hoya Krimson Queen is called Hoya tricolor. You will see creamy white or pink color on the edges and green color at the center.

The new leaves have a bright pink color. This variety has brownish stems and has pink-colored flowers.

Hoya carnosa “Crimson Princess”, also called Krimson Princess, on the other hand, has a creamy white color in the center of the leaves with green color at the edge.

Krimson Princess has pink stems and red-pink-colored flowers. 

The needs of these two varieties are almost similar except for water. Compared to the Krimson Princess, Krimson Queen needs more water to thrive.

Without this, you can keep both of them under similar conditions.

Hoya Chelsea

Hoya chelsea is a popular trailing species in the Hoya genus. The heart-shaped green cascading foliage is thick.

Due to their trailing nature, these plants are ideal for growing in hanging pots. Like most other Hoya plants, this one is also a slow grower.

People plant it as an ornamental variety with other indoor plants.

This plant thrives well under bright indirect light and well-drained soil.

We suggest you place them at a sunny location in your indoor garden, where they will receive abundant sunlight.

Avoid overwatering them as it can kill this flowering houseplant. Allow the first few inches of the potting soil to dry before watering.

Hoya Compacta

Hoya carnosa compacta is another attractive species that has cascading deep green foliage. It is commonly known as Krinkle Kurl or Hindu Rope Plant.

This plant has curly leaves with a waxy or glossy texture and creamy white color. You can also find its variegation, also known as Compacta Variegata. 

This is a sturdy houseplant that can be grown easily under indoor conditions.

Place them under dappled or indirect light, and make sure they are away from the midday sun, which can burn the leaves.

Grow this plant in a well-draining potting mix and use room temperature water for watering them.

Avoid giving them excess water as it can be harmful to this Hoya plant.

Hoya Curtisii

Hoya curtisii is an incredibly easy wax plant to grow. If you have a short space in your indoor garden, this species can be a great choice.

This indoor plant will enhance the overall beauty of the house with its tiny, cascading, and beautiful leaves with silvery variegation.

This wax plant can be propagated by simply following the stem cuttings method.

Never place this plant under the harmful direct sun. Instead, keep them under the dappled or bright light.

Remember that it can live even in low light, but the growth will be prolonged in that case. It is a drought-tolerant wax plant.

Therefore, you don’t have to water them too often. Wait until the top 2 inches of soil is dry. You should choose a bigger pot size once a few years for repotting.

Hoya Imbricata

Hoya imbricata is an epiphytic plant with long and climbing stems native to tropical Asia. These plants have succulent leaves that store water.

Interestingly, Hoya imbricata produces a bunch of roots beneath the leaves.

The foliage has a unique color combination of dark green and white spots. It is better to grow them in hanging baskets.

These Hoyas grow well under a well-draining potting medium.

They bloom many wonderful sweet-scented flowers if the grower can supply phosphorus-rich fertilizer during their blooming period.

Water them when the top 2 inches of soil looks dry. You can follow stem tip cuttings to grow a new plant for propagation.

Like the other Hoyas, it needs enough light to grow.

Hoya Imperialis

Hoya imperialis is one of the best-looking Hoya plants, and that’s why they are the most favorite houseplants among the gardeners.

This wax plant is also known as the Malaysian vine. 

Hoya imperialis has an unmanageable growth rate as it keeps climbing whatever it finds in its way.

If you already have a tropical garden indoors, adding these great houseplants can be good.

This low-maintenance plant blooms a lot of flowers during the spring and summer. However, it grows pretty slowly in the winter months and requires maintenance.

You need to place them in a warm condition.

These plants are not that root bound, but you may transfer them to bigger pots once a few years.

Remember to place them under the indirect sun, or these plants will lose their lovely variegation and discoloration or the green leaves.

Hoya Kentiana

Hoya kentiana is popular because of its beautiful pink flowers.

Many people often confuse it with Hoya wayetii, but remember that the flowers of the Hoya wayetii wax plant are green colored.

Also, Hoya kentiana has light green leaves with a creamy margin compared to the Hoya wayetii. This perennial variety blooms very often. 

This species cannot do well under the direct sun like the other Hoyas. Therefore, you should place them in a sunny location.

While preparing the potting mix, we suggest using peat moss, coco peat, vermiculite, perlite to enhance the drainage system.

If you can mix all these materials properly, you don’t have to worry about watering these plants as these materials have a higher water retention capacity.

Hoya Kerrii

Hoya kerrii is also known as the Sweetheart plant or Hoya heart. This wax plant has catchy heart-shaped leaves with deep green colors.

If you want to buy it, you will see that it is sold as simple leaf cuttings. This tropical houseplant may grow quite long.

Therefore, you need to provide support for their growth. These plants have alkaloids, which are mainly produced by the Hoya flowers.

Sweetheart Hoya plants can survive low or medium-light, but remember that they will not produce flowers in these conditions.

A bright spot that receives indirect light is the best place for keeping them.

These Hoya plants enjoy temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plant Hoya in a well-drained pot with drainage holes to remove excess water.

Hoya Krohniana

Hoya krohniana is also known as the Super Silver plant because of its heart-shaped silver-colored leaves. This wax plant is native to the tropical regions of Asia.

They produce creamy white flowers with sweet fragrance, becoming stronger at night. These plants are perfect for growing in hanging baskets.

If you can provide them with the right conditions, they will bloom more.

Keep this wax plant species under indirect light and in well-draining soil. Water it moderately.

It would be best to remember that these plants are alright with root-bound conditions, which may encourage new flowers.

You may prune them during the winter months. In addition, you can use the stem tip cuttings for propagation.

Hoya Lacunosa

Hoya lacunosa has dark green leaves that look amazing because this wax plant has long vines and keeps blooming new flowers from the same spurs and flower stems throughout the year.

This Hoya plant is pot-bound, but you may repot them after a few years.

This species is an epiphyte, which means that this wax plant absorbs nutrients and water from other plants.

Plant Hoya in a porous media, which has an excellent drainage system. In addition, keep them away from the direct sun as it can damage them.

Provide support for this wax plant’s long vines so that they can climb adequately. They prefer moderate humidity.

If you live in a highly arid region, you can use a spray bottle to mist the waxy leaves.

Hoya Latifolia

Hoya latifolia is one of the most beautiful species of the Hoya genus.

This wax plant is easily recognized because of its large green leaves and white flowers that produce a strong fragrance.

People mostly grow this species in hanging baskets. Hoya latifolia can be found in the rainforest of southeastern Asian countries. 

These epiphytes prefer humid areas, warm temperatures, and dappled sunlight. So, we suggest you maintain a humidity level of at least 60% for them.

Place this wax plant in a sunny location that receives indirect sun. These Hoya plants love around 70 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.

For preparing the potting soil, you can mix organic and other coarse materials to improve the drainage condition.

Hoya Linearis

Hoya linearis is another beautiful variety that has glossy green and cascading nature. These plants will surely give your indoor garden a complete look.

People usually plant Hoya linearis species to enjoy the sweet lemon-like fragrance of the flowers.

You can easily identify Hoya linearis by its 5cm long, thin, soft leaves. Due to its cascading nature, it is ideal for growing in a hanging basket.

Like any other Hoya plant, it doesn’t have too many demands. You have to keep it away from the scorching heat.

Also, make sure that the potting medium has a good drainage system. For this, you can mix organic materials with a cactus mix.

Never water them too frequently as it can damage the root system. You may feed them from spring to summer with a balanced fertilizer.

Hoya Macgillivrayi

Hoya macgillivrayi is a beautiful Hoya plant because of its impressive burgundy colored flowers, light green, thick, and oval-shaped leaves.

These wax plants are mainly grown as ornamental plants. This Hoya plant requires warm temperatures and moderate humidity levels, ranging between 60% and 80%.

If you live in an arid region, misting them using spray bottles will be a great choice. Plant them in a sunny location that receives bright or filtered light but not direct sun.

Also, plant them in a well-drained potting mix. If you can take care of them properly, you will quickly notice the beautiful flower buds.

Hoya Obovata

Hoya obovata is the most popular indoor plant. This porcelain flower plant looks attractive because of its thick and waxy leaves.

You should plant them on your balcony in a hanging basket. This unique Hoya plant can be easily identified by its oval-shaped green foliage with silvery splashes.

This species grows relatively faster than others.

These Hoya plants need bright sunlight to grow. Keep them away from direct and midday sun, which can burn the leaves’ color.

Due to the sensitivity to the direct sun, we suggest you plant them in a semi-shaded area.

The potting medium should have a good drainage system because soggy conditions can severely damage the root systems.

Hoya Odorata

This Hoya plant is native to the Philippines. During the spring, they produce sweet-scented white flowers. 

Hoya odorata is very easy to grow, and its basic needs are not so hard to meet.

Remember that this species produces the most intense fragrances compared to the other Hoya plants. It has a shrub-like appearance and stands upright.

Hoya odorata grows well under indirect or dappled light. However, it can tolerate direct sunlight during the morning.

This Hoya plant prefers growing in well-draining potting soil with a slightly acidic and neutral pH.

You can mix compost, worm castings, potting soil, and perlite to prepare an ideal soil.

You may water this porcelain flower plant once every two days, especially when the topsoil becomes dry.

Hoya Pubicalyx

Hoya pubicalyx is a famous Hoya plant because of its beautiful flowers that produce strong fragrances during the night.

This species is native to Southeast Asian countries, like the Philippines. It doesn’t require too much care.

The most amazing part is that Hoya pubicalyx produces reddish flowers that can help you to distinguish this species easily.

Hoya pubicalyx wax plants have several varieties. Some of the most popular ones are:

Pink Silver:

This variety has green foliage with silvery splashes. The blooms have a pink center with a light red border.

Black Dragon:

This variety has solid lime green leaves, and the flowers are black with a red center.

Red Buttons:

It has green leaves with a purple and red blot and dark purple flowers.

Royal Hawaiian Purple:

This Hoya plant has green leaves with grey or silver patterns. 

Apart from these varieties, there are more varieties like Dapple gray, Bright one, Silver sheen, Jungle garden, etc.

This Hoya plant enjoys indirect and medium sunlight, but we suggest placing it at a sunny location that receives dappled sun.

If you grow it outdoors, you must keep it away from the midday sun or direct sunlight. Always plant Hoya in an airy and light potting mix.

If your soil is clay, you can mix coarse particles and organic materials. Water this plant carefully because excess water can cause root suffocation and death.

Hoya Retusa

Hoya retusa is another beautiful variety native to India and the Himalayan region. Like any other Hoya plant, this one is also an epiphyte.

This Hoya plant has round leaves that retain water and trailing nature. This plant has a unique appearance.

At first sight, you may understand that this Hoya plant doesn’t have any leaves because the leaves are narrow and look similar to the stems.

Place this Hoya plant in a sunny location that receives abundant indirect or filtered light.

Plant Hoya in a well-drained medium that can quickly drain excessive water. You can mix coco peat, sand, and coarse materials to prepare this type of potting soil.

You can apply a balanced fertilizer during the spring and summer to enhance its bloom and growth.

Hoya Wayetii

This Hoya plant is widely distributed in the Philippines. People often confuse this variety with Hoya shepherdii and Hoya kentiana.  

Hoya wayetii is a vining Hoya plant with long light green and lance-like thick leaves with a dark green margin.

This green variegation increases the beauty of this species. This Hoya plant grows relatively slowly, and its tendrils can reach around 36 inches long.

This plant produces beautiful red to pink flowers, and you should be careful not to remove the flower stems because new flowers often appear on those stems.

While growing these Hoya plants, you should properly maintain the light intensity. Intense or direct sun can burn the leaves and turn the margins red.

During the winter months, you don’t have to water or fertilize them, but in the spring, you need to feed them with phosphorus-rich fertilizer, which will accelerate their blooms.

Hoya Plant Care Guide

Hoya plants are pretty easy to grow, and this is why we suggest that beginners start with these species.

This section will discuss their demands to grow happily in your indoor garden.

Light

These tropical plants grow best under bright light. Keeping them under the direct morning sun is OK, but never place them under the direct sunlight during the midday.

Many varieties of the Hoya genus can even grow well in low or medium-light, but in this condition, they grow slowly and produce fewer flowers.

Temperature and Humidity

Hoya plants grow best between the temperatures of 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature falls below 60-degree Fahrenheit, it will slow down their growth.

Since they are tropical plants, moderate to high humidity is mainly preferred, but they are sturdy and withstand lower humidity.

Soil

You have to make sure that the potting medium is well-drained. For this, you can add coarse materials and other minerals, like perlite, pumice, sand, gravels, etc.

In addition, you have to incorporate coco peat, peat moss, vermiculite, and other materials that have a higher water retention capacity.

Mixing all these materials with the soil will improve the drainage system.

Lastly, to facilitate the drainage, you can drill some drainage holes at the bottom of the containers.

Water and Fertilizer

These succulent plants store water in their leaves. Therefore, you don’t have to water them frequently. Water them only when the topsoil looks dry.

Also, make sure that the water doesn’t contain chlorine or fluorine as these substances can ruin the leaf colors.

Overwatering or soggy soil is harmful to Hoya species as it can cause root rot and kill the plants.

You should feed them with phosphorus-enriched fertilizers during their bloom period. Spring and summer are considered their growing time.

So, you should apply a balanced fertilizer during this period.

Pruning and Propagation

Sometimes you may need to prune the plant to maintain a bushy shape. While pruning, you shouldn’t cut off older stems as new flowers appear from them.

You can easily propagate Hoya plants by air layering or stem tip cuttings.

Cut the new stems and keep them in the water. When you notice the new roots, you may transfer them to the soil. 

Common Pests and Diseases

Although these plants are pretty sturdy species, they are susceptible to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids.

If you ever notice these little bugs on your plants, you may spray neem oil, garlic juice, or other insecticides.

We recommend you remove these bugs as soon as possible because it will be harder to destroy them once they are established.

Along with the pests, some diseases are detrimental to the Hoya plant. The most common plant disease for Wax plants is botrytis.

Botrytis is a fungus that thrives in warm, humid conditions.

Obviously, overwatering causes soggy soil and wet leaves, and a poor drainage system can exasperate this disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

People often find it quite hard to identify the Hoya species.

Scientists agree that Hoya plants change their morphological characteristics in different environmental conditions, but their leaves’ venation and pollinarium stay stable [2].

Therefore, if you want to identify a Hoya species perfectly, we suggest you study the arrangement of their leaf veins.

Once you buy the suitable varieties, you can follow the Hoya plant care guide to grow them.

References

• [1] Martin, C. E.; Hsu, R.C. and Lin, T. 2010. Sun & shade adaptations of the photosynthetic apparatus of Hoya carnosa, an epiphytic CAM vine, in a subtropical rain forest in northeastern Taiwan. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 32(3): 575–581.
• [2] Baltazar, A.M.P. and Buot Jr, I.E. 2019. Controversies on Hoya R. Br. Taxonomy. The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal, 13(1): 59-68.
• UF/IFAS Extension: Solutions for Your Life. (2017). Hoya. University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gardening Solutions.
• Smith, M. (2020). Hoyas as Houseplants. Pennsylvania State University Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences.
• Kelt, J. Tri-color Wax Plant, Hoya carnosa. PlantTalk Colorado. Colorado State University Extension, Denver Botanic gardens, and the Green Industries of Colorado.
• About/mentions: Hoya plant, succulents, houseplant