Hoyas as Houseplants
One can traverse down a rabbit hole of opinions to discover which species is the most fragrant; however, all you need to do is look at the name—Hoya odorata. This hoya is a white-flowered species that has a shrub-like form and boasts the top fragrance. While it appears jasmine-like in habit, its scent is reminiscent of citrus with a touch of sweetness.
All of these species, found throughout Southeast Asia and Australia, do share similar requirements in care. Medium to bright, indirect light and preferably placed adjacent to a window—south, east, or west facing will do. Hoyas do not mind being a little bit rootbound. Take your time and do not rush out to purchase a new pot or size up the pot when you bring one home. Choose a well-drained soil and keep it moist, not wet. The thick, waxy leaves retain more water than you might think. Experienced hoya collectors will even wait until the leaves slightly pucker before watering.
Just as most hoya species are slow growing, so is their rate of bloom. However, once a flower begins to form just let your hoya be. There is no need to move, adjust, rotate, or pamper. Simply sit back and enjoy the beauty unfolding before you.
Bringing a hoya into your home will provide you with a lesson on patience, perseverance, and persistence. You may find yourself forgetting the fact that a hoya is a plant and that it can grow, and then be completely elated when you see a new leaf unfurl. Blooms will seem like miraculous events. Tendrils will all of the sudden become vines that need trellised years into the future. Hoyas are faithful and resilient and you will develop a long and lasting relationship with each plant that enters your household.
- Master Gardeners
- Consumer Horticulture
- Native Plants
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| Hoya macgillivrayi from our Cooktown garden. Very large flowers. |
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