Hoya pubicalyx

Looking for a first foray into rare plants? After a show-stopping gift for a planty pal? Or just wanting to add gorgeous foliage to your space? Whichever you are, this could be the plant for you! This rare Hoya's mid-green leaves are speckled with silver variegation for just a dash of shining star quality, and you can nurture and watch it grow. This plant grows leaves in pairs along a vining stem, and with patience you can train it to grow up a structure, or let it all hang free. If it's really happy, it might even treat you to a show of burgundy, star-shaped flowers with a pleasant musky smell. So make sure you give it plenty of light, and not too much water, and it might even give you this showiest of planty spectacles.

Scientific Name
Hoya pubicalyx (Hoy's plant with a downy calyx)

Common Name
Wax Plant, Porcelain Flower, Wax Flower, Wax Vine

Origin
This Hoya is native to the Philippines

Light
Thrives in bright, indirect light, and will benefit from a splash of morning or evening sun. Make sure it gets 1-2 hours of direct sunlight in autumn and winter, throughout its dormant period.

Water
Allow the top third of the soil to dry out between waters, and reduce watering in winter and in dimmer spots. Make sure you don't leave any water sitting in the foliage (or flowers) as this can cause damage.

Humidity
Used to a rainforest environment, this plant likes it humid; introduce a humidity tray if possible, and hose down the leaves regularly to keep them free of dust. If the leaves start to brown and curl, this is a sign that the air is too dry.

Soil
Use an anthurium mix and repot every three years in spring as the plant grows. If it's flowering, keep it pot-bound a little longer to prevent it getting shocked by the move and losing flowers.

Food
Feed every four waters throughout the year. To tailor your feeding even more, look for a Nitrogen-heavy fertiliser when the foliage needs to develop more, and to encourage flowers once it's mature look for one with higher Potassium (K) content, like tomato feed.

Temperature
Ideal temperature is between 15-35°C; make sure it does not get colder than 15°C in winter or for longer periods.

Pet-safe
Hoya are not toxic but can have bad reactions for your pets, including vomiting/ diarrhoea.

Sprouts Top Tips
While this plant likes it humid, it does not like soggy soil- make sure not to over-water it. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, especially those closer to the soil, to spot this early and reduce the frequency of your waters before the roots are damaged.