Scientific Name
Hoya 'Rebecca'
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Hoya
Origin
Hoya 'Rebecca' is a hybrid created by Antone Jones and results from a cross between Hoya lacunosa 'Langkawi Island' and Hoya obscura.
Description
Hoya 'Rebecca' is a climbing or trailing plant with wiry stems that bear green oval leaves with pointed ends and lighter veins. Once established, it grows fast and readily blooms. When exposed to intense sunlight, the leaves take on a red hue, but the veins remain a contrasting light green.
The flowers have a fuzzy, pinkish to pale pink corolla and a yellow corona. They have a sweet fragrance and appear in drooping umbels in spring and summer. The umbels typically have between 15 to 25 flowers.
How to Grow and Care for Hoya 'Rebecca'
Light: H. 'Rebecca' grows well indoors in bright indirect light but will tolerate pretty low light levels. However, it becomes weak and leggy, produces fewer leaves, and may not flower without bright light.
Soil: Whatever soil you plant your H. 'Rebecca' in, it should be well-draining, provide excellent aeration, and not hold too much water.
Temperature: As a tropical plant, H. 'Rebecca thrives in warm, moist climates. During the colder months, keep it away from drafty windows and doorways. It can withstand temperatures as low as 40 °F (4.4 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 11a to 11 b are 40 to 50 °F (4.4 to 10 °C).
Watering: Water regularly in spring and summer. Soak the soil thoroughly until the water drains out of the drainage holes. Then, let the soil dry out between waterings. H. 'Rebecca' is relatively dormant and needs only moderate watering in fall and winter.
Fertilizing: This plant is not a particularly heavy feeder. However, it appreciates some extra micronutrients and macronutrients. Therefore, feed with half-strength high-potassium fertilizer every two weeks or so during the growing season.
Repotting: As an epiphytic plant, H. 'Rebecca' has quite shallow root systems and does not require a deep container, nor does it need to be repotted frequently. It prefers growing a bit tight in its container. Therefore, repot in spring if it outgrows its container.
Propagation: You can easily get new plants from your existing H. 'Rebecca' by stem cuttings. Leaf cuttings can be more problematic. The best time to take cuttings is spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. The easiest method of propagation is by layering.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Hoya.
Toxicity of Hoya 'Rebecca'
H. 'Rebecca' is non-toxic to humans and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Hoya
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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