Hoya: Introduction
Hoya R. Br. genus of the family Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae includes mostly tropical plants. These plants are best known for their sweet-smelling flowers rather than their foliage. The flowers mostly have a pleasant fragrance and bloom during the spring or summer season. This genus Hoya includes around 200 species and is a slow-growing woody evergreen vine. The following article is about Hoya plant types and care.
Hoya genus has a wide range of varieties of plants mostly tropical. Their flowers occur in clusters and their leaves are thick glossy therefore also known as wax plants. Some varieties grow as an epiphyte on big trees under natural conditions. All the plants in this genus have fleshy leaves but besides that, not all the varieties are considered succulents.
These plants are generally easy to grow and take care of and are widely recognized because of their beautiful scented flowers. Some of the major types of hoya plants are as follows
Hoya plant types and care
The Hoya genus has different types of plants. Some are succulents and some are normal. These plants are well known for their sweet-scented flowers. The plant care varies from watering and humidity requirements. Some of the hoya plants like Hoya carnosa are easy to care while some like Hoya serpens are a little difficult to take care of. the following are the hoya types and care.
1. Hoya carnosa var. compacta
The other common name of this plant is Krinkle curl hoya, Indian rope plant, Hindu rope, Porcelain flower, and wax plant (1). Although the plant is a very slow-growing plant but gives a great look to the indoor decor. This plant needs little care and water only when the topsoil dries up. During the spring and summer season when the plants are in their flowering stage water only when the soils dry up 40%. The plant needs bright light and is pet-friendly.
2. Hoya carnosa
Commonly known as wax plant, waxflower or porcelain flower is a trailing shrub. The flowers are white with pinkish colour and are star-shaped (2). the plant needs bright light and well-drained soil. Always water adequately and make sure that it has a good drainage system. This is the easiest available plant in the nurseries and looks good in a hanging basket on the balcony. This plant is toxic to pets and other animals.
3. Hoya serpens
This is a very rare type of plant that grows mainly in the Himalayan region. The leaves of this plant are small round and dark green with grey spots. the flowers are greenish with white corona and pinkish tinge.
4. Hoya carnosa X serpens ‘mathilde’
This plant is a hybrid between Hoya carnosa and Hota serpent. This plant is again easy to take care of and needs bright indirect light for its growth and development. Also requires low humidity and low moderate water. This plant is pet-friendly.
5. Hoya multiflora
As the name suggests this plant has flowers in clusters and is in the shape of a shooting star therefore also known as Shooting Star Hoya. Unlike other Hoya plants, this is not succulent in nature. the leaves of this plant are dark green in colour and the flowers bloom more than once a year.
This plant prefers bright light and good irrigation therefore the potting soil should have a good drainage system. The flowers are white in colour with yellowtail.
6. Hoya kerrii
This plant is known for its heart-shaped leaves and is often sold during Valentine’s day as a single leaf cutting therefore also known as sweetheart plant, lucky heart or valentine hoya. The plant needs bright light and moderate water. Along with this, it requires a warm and humid environment. Hoya Kerrii is a climber in nature and is pet-friendly.
