Fastson at English Wikipedia · Public domain
About
Known as the porcelain flower or wax plant, *Hoya carnosa* is a popular houseplant prized for its attractive, waxy foliage and heavily scented, star-shaped flowers. It is a robust species that thrives in cultivation and has been cultivated for over 200 years.
Field notes
Morphology
The perennial leaves are wide oval to longitudinal oval or heart-shaped, slightly succulent, and fleshy with a waxy glossy surface, measuring 3–5 cm wide and 3.5–13 cm long. The inflorescence consists of numerous star-shaped flowers, typically light pink but ranging from near-white to dark pink, with a single corolla diameter of 1.5 to 2 cm. The plant also produces spindle-shaped fruits measuring 6 to 10 × 0.5 to 1.5 cm.
Distribution & habitat
Native to southern China (including Hainan), Taiwan, Laos, and Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands).
Cultivation notes
Prefers indirect bright light, though it tolerates less. Optimal temperatures range from 60–85 °F (16–29 °C). It can be propagated by air layering or stem cuttings and benefits from an open potting medium using drainage materials like perlite or pumice. It should be fed regularly with a fertilizer suitable for epiphytic plants.
History & etymology
The cultivar *Hoya carnosa* ‘Compacta’ was first discovered as a branch mutation sport at Hummel’s Exotic Gardens of Inglewood, California, and later popularized in 1967.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- easy
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