Hoya heuschkeliana

Scientific Name

Hoya heuschkeliana Kloppenb.

Synonym(s)

Hoya heuschkeliana subsp. heuschkeliana

Scientific Classification

Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Hoya

Description

Hoya heuschkeliana is a beautiful plant that can be grown hanging or wrapped on support. The leaves are thick, slightly curved, lighter green underneath than above, and can get quite red when grown in full sun. They vary in size and can measure up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide.

The flowers are pink, urn-shaped, and can reach a diameter of up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm). They appear in umbels of up to 12 in summer and last about a week.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Hoyas don't ask for much beyond the well-draining soil and the warm, humid conditions many tropical flowers crave. They don't like wet feet or heavy soil, and as many grow as epiphytes in nature. Give them at least a half-day of sunshine and bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 50 °F (10 °C).

When your Hoya finishes blooming, leave the flower stalk, as it may produce new flowers. Removing the stalk forces the plant to produce a new stalk, which delays blooming and wastes energy. These plants are light feeders, and a monthly drink of compost tea or dilute fish emulsion provides all the nutrition these tropicals need. Hoyas like the security of a snug pot, and plants that are a bit root-bound will flower more prolifically than those swimming around in a giant pot.

Propagate Hoyas by cuttings of top growth or by leaf cuttings. The average cutting or leaf will produce a blooming plant in 2 years or less. The easiest method of propagation is by layering.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Hoya.

Origin

Hoya heuschkeliana is native to the Philippines.

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