Everybody loves Hoyas!
These succulent-like flowering plants are easy to grow, and look absolutely stunning with their thick foliage and clusters of white and pinkish flowers. These flowers also have sweet fragrances, which makes them even more alluring!
There are over 500 different Hoya varieties out there, but today we are going to present our top picks. These Hoyas are unique, mesmerizing, and beautiful. They are also beginner-friendly since it is relatively easy to take care of them.
We’ll look one by one at their primary growing requirements and how they look.
1. Hoya Lacunosa
Popular names: Hoya lacunosa, Wax plant
Plant size: Vines can grow up to 5 feet long
Plant description: The Hoya Lacunosa cultivar has green, oval-shaped leaves and tiny white flowers. The name comes from the leaves’ distinctive lacunose surface (sunken veins).
Ideal settings: Because they produce long, green vines covered in leaves and blossoms, these houseplants are typically cultivated in hanging baskets.
Plant care: Requires well-draining soil and moderate watering. Thrives in temperatures between 59-86°F and bright indirect light. Avoid placing this plant close to heat sources such as radiators.
2. Hoya Bilobata
Popular names: Hoya bilobata, Wax plant
Plant size: Vines can grow up to 2 feet tall
Plant description: Produces elliptical leaves that have a matte appearance. The color of the leaves is somewhere between gray and green. During spring and summer, tiny pink flowers with yellow centers start growing in clusters.
Ideal settings: A place with plenty of bright indirect sunlight and warm temperatures.
Plant care: Thrives in temperatures between 60-95°F, and well-draining soil with pH levels from 6.1 to 7.5. Water moderately.
3. Hoya Retusa
Popular names: Hoya retusa, Grass leafed Hoya
Plant size: 15-20 inches
Plant description: Called the Grass leafed hoya due to their long, thin leaves that resemble grass. The retusa produces clusters of star-shaped blooms, just like all other Hoya plants do. They are white with a center that is pinkish-red.
Ideal settings: When you cultivate the plant in a hanging basket, its many stems provide a stunning appearance.
Plant care: This Hoya cultivar requires well-aerated and well-draining soil. Thrives in humidity between 40-60%. All-purpose fertilizer can be used to encourage its growth.
4. Hoya Wayetii
Popular names: Hoya wayetii, Wax plant
Plant size: Trailing vines up to 3 feet long
Plant description: The Hoya wayetii produces narrow green leaves that are shaped like a canoe. The edges of the leaves can turn red when exposed to plenty of sunlight. Sweet-scented flowers start growing during spring and summer.
Ideal settings: Long vines hanging from a basket in bright indirect sunlight.
Plant care: Should be exposed to at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Moderate watering and well-draining soil is recommended.
5. Hoya Kerrii
Popular name: Sweetheart Hoya, Lucky Hoya
Plant size: Vines can grow up to 13 feet long
Plant description: The Hoya kerrii produces succulent-like leaves that are shaped like a heart, making it perfect for a Valentine’s day gift. The leaves have a beautiful emerald green color, and the plant is often sold as a single heart-shaped leaf. Small clusters of soft pink flowers appear in spring and summer.
Ideal settings: The Sweetheart Hoya enjoys a lot of sunshine, but it shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight for too long. West- or east-facing windows are perfect for a Hoya kerrii.
Plant care: Thrives in temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Requires humidity of around 60% but can tolerate as low as 40%. It is a slow-growing plant that doesn’t require much fertilization.
6. Hoya Memoria
Popular names: Hoya memoria, Hoya gracilis
Plant size: Up to 4 inches long
Plant description: Epiphytic plant that produces green leaves with silverish speckles. As well as its unique-looking leaves, this variety produces fuzzy raspberry flowers with a mesmerizing fragrance.
Ideal settings: Ideal for hanging pots placed in bright indirect sunlight.
Plant care: The Hoya gracilis needs well-draining soil, moderate temperatures, high humidity, bright indirect light, monthly feedings, and to be repotted roughly every two years.
7. Hoya Burtoniae
Popular names: Hoya Burtoniae, Hindu Ropet, Porcelain plant, Honey plant
Plant size: Vines up to 4 inches long
Plant description: This variety produces fuzzy and compact leaves that have an olive-green color. Leaf margins might turn red when exposed to plenty of bright light. The plant also produces raspberry colored flowers that grow in clusters.
Ideal settings: Hanging baskets next to an east-facing window.
Plant care: Requires well-aerated and well-draining soil. Avoid frequent watering as the plant is drought-tolerant. The temperature should be kept between 60-95°F.
8. Hoya Imperialis
Popular names: Imperial Hoya, Hoya imperialis, Wax plant
Plant size: Between 8-15 feet
Plant description: This is one of the largest Hoya varieties. Young plants produce elliptical green leaves that are a few inches long, but a mature specimen can have foliage about one foot long. This variety also produces large pink or red flowers with creamy-white centers.
Ideal settings: Best placed next to a southeast or southwest facing window.
Plant care: Grows well in neutral soil. Thrives in temperatures between 60-90°F. Let the soil dry out before watering. Keep humidity levels around 50%.
9. Hoya Macrophylla
Popular names: Hoya macrophylla, Wax plant, Honey plant
Plant size: Up to 5 feet
Plant description: This rare variety produces characteristic waxy green leaves with prominent veins. These leaves can grow up to 5 inches long, which makes the plant even more alluring. Small, delicate flowers with soft pink colors appear in late spring and early summer.
Ideal settings: Requires climbing support for proper growth. Best to keep near an east-facing window.
Plant care: Prefers growing in temperatures between 65-80°F and humidity levels of 60%. Water thoroughly once the soil has dried out. Fertilization required monthly during the growing season.
10. Hoya Fungii
Popular names: Hoya Fungii Merr, Wax plant, Hoya fungii
Plant size: Up to 6 feet
Plant description: The velvety-soft leaves of this variety have a deep green color and an oval shape. The flowers are very small, yet when they are grouped together, they resemble enormous, semi-spherical blossoms (umbells). They have a pinkish-white color and crimson centers.
Ideal settings: Best grown from a hanging basket or with a support like a trellis or moss stick.
Plant care: Bright indirect light, high humidity, and moderate temperatures are ideal for the hoya fungii. Moreover, it enjoys soil that drains well. It is not a heavy feeder so it doesn’t require as much fertilization.
11. Hoya Australis
Popular names: Hoya australis, Waxvine, Waxflower
Plant size: 13-33 feet in length
Plant description: The Australis variety produces oval-shaped glossy leaves that have a bright-green color. The leaves usually stay medium-sized as the plant grows. Tiny white, star-shaped flowers with mesmerizing fragrances bloom three times a year.
Ideal settings: A location with plenty of bright indirect sunlight and some direct morning sunlight.
Plant care: Requires watering once the top few inches of the soil have dried out. Prefers warm temperatures between 65-80°F, as well as humidity levels of around 50%.
12. Hoya Shepherdii
Popular names: Stringbean Hoya, Hoya shepherdii
Plant size: Around 12 inches in height
Plant description: A hardy variety that produces ribbon-like leaves that can grow to about 10 inches long. Their large, fragrant flowers have a star-like bloom in the center and are white with a crimson middle.
Ideal settings: Can tolerate low light settings but thrives in bright indirect light.
Plant care: Prefers growing in temperatures between 50-77°F. Can adapt to various humidity levels. Requires well-draining soil and moderate watering.
13. Hoya Fitchii
Popular names: Hoya fitchii, Wax plant
Plant size: 12-24 inches
Plant description: The slow-growing Hoya fitchii produces emerald green leaves with a finely webbed vein pattern. During spring, summer, and even fall, the Hoya fitchii also bears flowers that can be orange, pink, or yellow (depending on the growing conditions).
Ideal settings: A location with humidity higher than 50% and plenty of bright sunshine.
Plant care: Use balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season to boost the plant’s growth. Water once the soil feels dry. Keep the plant in warm temperatures.
14. Hoya Callistophylla
Popular names: Hoya callistophylla, Waxvine plant
Plant size: It can grow up to 15 feet long
Plant description: This rare variety exhibits artistic dark patterns against a lime-green background that visually separate the surface of each leaf into rectangles. Besides these unique-looking leaves, sweet-scented white clusters of flowers appear in summer. However, only mature plants that are at least 5 years old produce flowers.
Ideal settings: East- or west-facing window with high humidity levels.
Plant care: This is a rather sensitive Hoya variety that has to be grown in temperatures between 65-80°F. Requires a well-draining potting mixture, humidity between 50-70%, and watering when the top few inches of the soil have dried out.
15. Hoya Linearis
Popular names: Hoya linearis, Porcelain flower, Porcelain plant
Plant size: Up to 6 feet long
Plant description: This brand new Hoya variety differs from the rest of the Hoya genus. Instead of the common oval-shaped leaves, the Hoya linearis produces thin, fuzzy leaves that resemble beans. Citrusy-scented white flowers with yellow or pinkish centers are produced in clusters in late summer.
Ideal settings: Hanging baskets next to a window with some morning sun and bright indirect light for the rest of the day.
Plant care: This Hoya variety can tolerate somewhat lower temperatures during the nighttime, but still thrives in temperatures between 60-85°F. The preferred humidity levels are around 50-70%. Watering should be handled carefully as this plant is prone to overwatering. Water thoroughly once the topsoil dries out.
16. Hoya Diversifolia
Popular names: Hoya diversifolia, Mangrove Wax plant
Plant size: 6-8 feet tall
Plant description: This epiphytic trailing Hoya exhibits oval-shaped green leaves and characteristic Hoya flowers that grow in clusters. The sweet-scented flowers have a white or yellow color with pink centers. It begins blooming early in life compared to other Hoyas that bloom only when mature.
Ideal settings: Needs something to climb on (moss pole or a trellis). Can be grown in hanging baskets as well.
Plant care: The plant should be watered only when the topsoil feels dry. Grows best in well-aerated and well-draining soil. Requires strong, indirect sunlight to bloom and thrive. Keep an eye on pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips.
17. Hoya Mindorensis
Popular names: Mindoro Hoya, Hoya mindorensis
Plant size: Vines up to 4 feet long
Plant description: The Hoya mindorensis is naturally found on Mindoro island, hence the nickname, “Mindoro Hoya”. This trailing plant has lance-shaped, green foliage and red or white flowers that grow in bell-shaped clusters.
Ideal settings: Hanging baskets in bright indirect light.
Plant care: Prefers temperatures between 59-82°F and humidity levels of around 60%. Fast-draining soil is a must (combine equal parts cactus soil and orchid mix). Try to avoid overwatering and root rot.
18. Hoya Bella
Popular names: Hoya bella, Miniature Wax plant
Plant size: 2-3 feet
Plant description: The Miniature Wax plant is one of the most demanding Hoya varieties. However, it is also one of the most beautiful, hence the name “bella”, which means “beautiful”. The Hoya bella produces glossy, elliptical leaves that have a deep green color and a deeply indented vein in the center. Star-shaped, white flowers with red or pink centers are produced in May to August.
Ideal settings: East- or west-facing window. Avoid too much direct sunlight exposure.
Plant care: Can’t grow adequately in low light settings. Requires high-quality potting soil mixed with sand. Thrives in temperatures between 71-75°F. Use water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season.
19. Hoya Obovata
Popular names: Hoya obovata, Wax plant
Plant size: 12-20 feet long
Plant description: The Obovata exhibits dark green, oval-shaped leaves and silvery splashes contrasting a dark background. Vines can get entangled and create a bushy appearance with overlapping foliage. During spring and summer, soft purple and white flowers with bright-pink centers appear (only on mature plants).
Ideal settings: South- or east-facing window. Can grow in filtered, direct sunlight. Best grown in hanging baskets or in a pot with a climbing support.
Plant care: This beginner-friendly Hoya needs thorough watering once the top few inches of the soil dry out. Well-draining soil with additives such as peat moss or perlite is preferred.
20. Hoya Publicalyx
Popular names: Hoya publicalyx, Pink Silver
Plant size: 8-10 feet long
Plant description: Native to the Philippines, the Hoya publicalyx produces long and narrow green leaves that can turn silver-pink if the plant is exposed to some direct sunlight. Fragrant, pale-red flowers appear in clusters from late spring to late summer.
Ideal settings: A location where the plant can receive at least 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight daily.
Plant care: Temperatures should be above 50°F as this plant is not frost-tolerant. Use filtered or rainwater when watering, or leave tap water out overnight. The plant doesn’t mind being rootbound so repotting is rarely necessary.
21. Hoya Caudata
Popular names: Hoya caudata, Porcelain flower
Plant size: 12 inches
Plant description: The Hoya caudata produces long, oval leaves that are variegated with light-colored splotches on its captivating green and semi-succulent foliage. Bright patterns of silvery spots and specks randomly cover the leaves. Clusters of white, fuzzy, star-shaped flowers with red centers appear during spring and summer.
Ideal settings: Very bright space with humidity levels above 50%.
Plant care: Thrives in well-draining and nutrient-rich soil. Keep the soil moist by watering it once the top few inches have dried out. Fertilize once a month during the growing season.
22. Hoya Neocaledonica
Popular names: Hoya neocaledonica, Wax plant
Plant size: 4-6 feet
Plant description: This endemic species produces unique-looking flowers that have no fragrance. Creamy-white flowers fit perfectly with round-shaped green leaves. Flowers grow in compact clusters.
Ideal settings: West- or east-facing window with warm temperatures.
Plant care: This hardy variety can grow in different soil types, but it prefers fertile, well-draining soil. Requires medium watering. If not grown in a hanging basket, provide climbing support.
23. Hoya Coronaria
Popular names: Wax flower, Hoya coronaria
Plant size: 5 feet
Plant description: Evergreen plant that produces fuzzy, paddle-shaped green leaves and compact flowers. These flowers have a reddish-pink color, but the color might change due to the lighting conditions. The lovely blooms look like ocean starfish.
Ideal settings: Thrives in bright, dappled light. An east-facing window works best for the Hoya coronaria.
Plant care: Keep the soil dry, particularly during the cooler months when development is slower. When the warmer summer weather returns, a cooler location during the winter seems to enhance flowering. If the air is dry, mist often to keep the humidity levels high. Moreover, this plant prefers a more alkaline soil.
24. Hoya Finlaysonii
Popular names: Ripple Leaf, Porcelain flower, Hoya finlaysonii
Plant size: 2 feet
Plant description: This exotic hybrid produces big leaves that can grow up to 7 inches long. These green, oval-shaped leaves have unique vein patterns. The plant produces gummy-bear-shaped white blooms with crimson centers that are developed in globular clusters.
Ideal settings: Climbing or hanging from a basket in bright light. Can grow in low light as well.
Plant care: Low-maintenance plant that can tolerate temperatures as low as 40°F. Requires moderate watering. Keep an eye out for pests like mealybugs and scales.
25. Hoya Pachyclada
Popular names: Hoya pachyclada, Wax plant
Plant size: 6 inches tall
Plant description: The Pachyclada is a succulent-like plant that produces thick stems and foliage. The leaves are small and rounded, with light-green veins all over their surfaces. Tiny white flowers start growing densely during the blooming period.
Ideal settings: Warm temperatures and lots of bright indirect light.
Plant care: This plant should be treated as a succulent. Let the soil dry before watering again. It thrives in temperatures above 80°F, but it can adapt to somewhat lower temperatures. This plant is prone to overwatering and root rot.
26. Hoya Multiflora
Popular names: Shooting star, Hoya multiflora
Plant size: Up to 8 feet tall
Plant description: The Hoya multiflora has characteristic wooden stems and elongated, deep-green leaves. The Shooting Star Hoya got its name because of the plant’s profusion of clusters of slender, swept-back white blossoms that gradually become yellow at the ends. The flowers have a sweet fragrance that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Ideal settings: Location with average humidity and moderate light conditions.
Plant care: Requires more watering than other Hoya varieties. Water thoroughly and let the liquid drain through the drainage holes. It will tolerate temperatures between 59-95°F. Use phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage flowering.
27. Hoya Acuta
Popular names: Hoya acuta, Waxvine plant
Plant size: 4 inches
Plant description: This bamboo-like Hoya variety has thick stems with clusters of leaves at each node. The foliage has pointed ends and is long and slender, resembling a ribbon. Instead of growing in clusters, this Hoya produces a single white flower with a red and pink center. This unique flower rarely grows (cool night temperatures trigger flowering).
Ideal settings: Moderate lighting is necessary for the plant to thrive. If the lighting is too strong, the plant’s leaves might look pale.
Plant care: Well-draining and well-aerated soil must be provided. During the growing season, water the plant once the topsoil has dried out. When winter arrives, water your plant less and let the soil completely dry out.
28. Hoya Odorata
Popular names: Fragrant Wax plant, Hoya odorata, Philippine Hoya
Plant size: 8-12 inches
Plant description: This unique Hoya is part bush and part vine. The plant is really not a climber like other Hoyas. Still, it produces waxy white flowers that grow in clusters and have a sweet fragrance. The leaves are small and pointy. New leaves have a pinkish color but turn green as they mature.
Ideal settings: It can tolerate some direct sunlight, but thrives in bright indirect light and warm temperatures.
Plant care: The soil should have good drainage as this is an epiphytic plant. Temperatures between 70-90°F are preferred. It should be watered occasionally during the growing season. Less watering is required during colder months.
29. Hoya Brevialata
Popular names: Wax plant, Porcelain flower, Hoya brevialata
Plant size: 10-12 feet tall
Plant description: An epiphytic perennial succulent that has the smallest leaves. These cupped green leaves grow densely on long vines. Besides tiny leaves, the Hoya brevialata also produces caramel-scented flowers that grow in clusters. The flowers have a typical creamy-white color and red-pinkish centers.
Ideal settings: Hanging baskets or a windowsill with plenty of bright indirect light.
Plant care: It enjoys frequent watering and well-draining, peat-based soils that are slightly acidic to neutral. Because it is a tropical species, it should be kept in humid conditions with a humidity level of at least 60%. Fertilization required monthly during the growing season.
30. Hoya Globulosa
Popular names: Hoya globulosa, Waxvine plant
Plant size: Up to 12 inches
Plant description: The Globulosa produces pointy, paddle-shaped leaves that have captivating green veins all over their surfaces. The plant produces vibrant globes of vivid, plump white blooms with red centers, despite its tendency to be a finicky bloomer.
Ideal settings: Bright light required. The plant grows best near an east-facing window, though some say that it can also grow fine near a north-facing window.
Plant care: It is drought-tolerant, so the plant should be watered only when the soil completely dries out. Humidity should be above 60%. The temperature should be above 50°F. Use liquid, all-purpose fertilizer during the growing season to encourage new leaves and blooming.
Wrapping Up
Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of our Hoya varieties list!
I’m sure that some of these magnificent Hoyas caught your attention. Trust me, you won’t go wrong by picking any of them. Most of them require higher humidity and warmer temperatures in order to grow and thrive.
You can even prune some of the taller ones to maintain a certain shape and size, though most Hoyas look absolutely stunning in hanging baskets with their long vines swaying around.
That’s all, folks. I hope this article was helpful.
Until next time!