Hoya 'Joy' is an attractive plant known for its beautiful foliage and fragrant clusters of flowers. It is a sister seedling to the plant sold as Hoya 'Metallica'.
Scientific Name
Hoya 'Joy'
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Hoya
Origin
Hoya 'Joy' is a hybrid created by Michael Miyashiro in Hawaii. It is a result of a cross between Hoya sp. Laos and Hoya vitellina.
Description
Hoya 'Joy' is a stunning plant with slender stems that bear large, quite shiny green leaves that have dark edges and some flecks. The leaves are elliptical to ovoid in outline, slightly recurved, and can grow up to 6.8 inches (17 cm) long and 4.4 inches (11 cm) wide. They are somewhat bumpy on the upper surface and fuzzy on the underside. When grown in bright light, the leaves take on a lovely red hue, but the veins remain green, enhancing their beauty.
In the summer, Hoya 'Joy' produces reflexed flowers with a greenish-yellow corolla and pink corona. The flowers can reach up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter and appear in umbels of 20 to 30 blooms. They last only a few days and have a pleasant, fresh fragrance.
How to Grow and Care for Hoya 'Joy'
Light: It is best to keep this plant indoors in bright, indirect sunlight. Even though it can tolerate lower light levels, it may become weak and leggy if the light is too low, producing fewer leaves and flowers.
Soil: Well-draining soil that provides excellent aeration and does not hold too much water is most important for growing a healthy plant.
Temperature: Hoya 'Joy' thrives in hot and humid climates, so keep it away from drafty windows and doorways during the colder months. It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 11a to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 °F (4.4 to 10 °C).
Watering: As this plant is sensitive to overwatering, soak the soil thoroughly during the spring and summer, but allow it to dry out before watering again. Otherwise, you will increase the risk of root rot, and your plant will not be happy. It is relatively dormant during the fall and winter and needs only moderate watering.
Fertilizing: While Hoya 'Joy' is not a particularly heavy feeder, it can benefit from half-strength high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
Repotting: As an epiphyte, this plant has shallow root systems and does need a deep container. It also does not require frequent repotting. It prefers to be slightly rootbound, so repot it in spring only if it outgrows its container.
Propagation: Although layering is the easiest way to propagate Hoya 'Joy', using stem cuttings is the most popular method. Using leaf cuttings can be more challenging, while starting it from seeds is the simplest but the most time-consuming method. For best results, take cuttings only when the plant is actively growing and sow the seeds in spring and summer.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Hoya.
Toxicity of Hoya 'Joy'
Hoya 'Joy' is considered non-toxic, so having it around kids and pets is safe.
Links
- Back to genus Hoya
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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