Scientific Name
Hoya heuschkeliana Kloppenb.
Synonyms
Hoya heuschkeliana subsp. heuschkeliana
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Hoya
Description
Hoya heuschkeliana can be grown either hanging or wrapped on support. The leaves are thick, a little curved, lighter green underneath than on the top, and they can get quite red when grown in full sun. They vary in size and can be up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide. The flowers are urn-shaped, pink, up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter, and there can be up to 12 flowers in an umbel. They appear in summer and last about one 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 that 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 the plant's 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 that are 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.
Links
- Back to genus Hoya
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
