Scientific Name
Hoya pubicalyx Merr.
Common Name(s)
Wax Plant, Porcelain Flower
Scientific Classification
Family: Apocynaceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Hoya
Flower
Color: Pink
Bloom Time: Mid-spring to early summer
Description
Hoya pubicalyx is a fast-growing perennial with vining stems and large green leaves with more or less silver flecks. The stems grow up to 10 feet (3 m) long. Leaves are narrow, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) wide.
Flowers are up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) across and appear in clusters up to 4 inches (10 cm) across. They are dusty pink with a pale pink star in the center of each.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Hoya plants don't ask for much beyond the well-draining soil and the warm, humid conditions that many tropical flowers crave. They don't like wet feet or heavy soil, and as many grow as epiphytes in nature (similar to bromeliads and orchids). Give them at least a half-day of sunshine, and bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).
When your Hoyas 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 the plant's energy. They 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.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Hoya.
Origin
This species is native to the Philippines.
Cultivars
- Hoya pubicalyx 'Black Dragon'
- Hoya pubicalyx 'Pink Silver'
- Hoya pubicalyx 'Red Buttons'
- Hoya pubicalyx 'Royal Hawaiian Purple'
Links
- Back to genus Hoya
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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