Hoya macgillivrayi

Scientific Name

Hoya macgillivrayi F. M. Bailey

Scientific Classification

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

Origin

Hoya macgillivrayi is native to northeastern Australia.

Description

Hoya macgillivrayi is a fast-growing climber with twining stems that bear oval pointed leaves. It is one of the most spectacular species in the genus. The leaves are light green and set opposite each other on the stems.

The flowers can reach up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter and appear on long stalks in umbels of 6 to 10 flowers radiating from a central axis. They are rich burgundy and consist of five sepals and five waxy petals. The fruits mature into pairs of hanging follicles that can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (+4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Hoyas do not ask for much beyond the well-draining soil and the warm, humid conditions many tropical flowers crave. They do not 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.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Hoya.

Photo Gallery

Click on a photo to see a larger version.