Indoor plants

Hoya

Family Apocynaceae. Native to India, southern China, Australia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean. The most common species is Hoya carnosa — the wax plant — a climbing vine; its stems can reach up to 6 m in length if not pruned, and in spring with the arrival of warm sunny days Hoya's growth is very rapid and shoots can literally grow a meter in length in a week.

Leaves are oppositely arranged on the stems, fleshy, oval in shape, blunt or pointed at the tip, dark green in color, up to 6 cm long. Waxy whitish markings appear on the upper surface of the leaf. Flowers are fragrant, numerous; the inflorescence is an umbel. Flowering occurs in spring and summer. There are several varieties differing in leaf color and shape.

Hoya bella — a small, much-branched shrub. The shoots are pendulous, with lanceolate leaves pointed at the tip, up to 3–3.5 cm long. The pleasantly scented flowers are gathered in umbels. Hoya bella is best grown as an epiphytic plant in hanging or woven baskets. Hoya bella is more warmth-loving than Hoya carnosa; in winter it is kept at about 16°C.

Temperature: Moderate, cool in winter, preferably not above 17°C, minimum 8°C. In too warm a room the leaves yellow and wilt, the plant is easily attacked by pests, and the Hoya may fail to bloom.

Lighting: Bright, diffused light with some direct sun. An east or west window is suitable. On a south window shading is needed during the hottest hours of the day. The best indoor shading is a sheer curtain; on a balcony, the canopy of nearby trees. In winter keep Hoya in the brightest available sunlight.

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