This Hoya's foliage is distinctive thanks to its fresh pale green colouring and the deeper forest green which stands out along its veins. Slight damage to the leaves can also cause it to discolour red, but if you do notice this, don't worry as it won't impact the plant's health. As with many other Hoyas, this one grows pairs of leaves along a vine, with the leaves starting tiny and growing bigger as they mature. With patience, you can train this vining plant to climb, or allow it to trail as it grows. Hoya can be slow growing as houseplants, but if you give them plenty of light and humidity, they can grow long vines a few feet long. This variety may even give you clusters of bright white, star-shaped, fragrant flowers if it's really happy! Choose this unusual variety and enjoy its foliage, flowers and vining growth.
Scientific Name
Hoya x hybrida 'Sabah'
This plant is a hybrid variety of Hoya
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An undescribed species, marketed under names like Hoya ‘Sabah’ or RP‑013.
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Features oval green leaves with distinct dark veins.
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Resembles Hoya callistophylla, but growers say it is not that species
Common Name
Hoya Sabah, Wax Plant, Porcelain Flower, Wax Flower, Wax Vine
Origin
This plant is a hybrid, but its plant ancestors were native to the Malaysian rainforest.
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 15-27°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.
