Hoya bella
An epiphytic climber with glossy oval leaves that can bloom year-round in bright indirect light, producing fragrant clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers.
Common Names
Miniature Wax Plant, Wax Plant, Beautiful Hoya, Porcelain Flower, Wax Vine, Honey Plant, Waxflower, Miniature Wax Flower, Pretty Waxflower
Summary
A tropical epiphytic trailing climber with glossy, waxy leaves native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, India, and Australia. It forms cascading vines and clusters of fragrant star-shaped flowers with white petals and pink centers.
Cultivation requires bright indirect light and well-draining soil. Water when the top inch dries, ensuring thorough drainage and reduced watering in winter. Maintain temperatures of 60–80°F and humidity of 40–60%. It is a light feeder; fertilize lightly during the growing season. Repot every 2–3 years. Propagate easily from stem cuttings. It is ideal for hanging baskets or pots and can be trained on a trellis. Monitor for pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and scale, and prune lightly to maintain shape.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3 feet
Spread
1-3 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 10-12
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally partial sun.
Soil Type
Well-draining, airy potting mix with orchid bark and perlite
Soil Drainage
Very well-draining, airy soil
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Bloom Color
White blooms with pink to purple centers.
Bloom Time
Spring and Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Growth Rate
Moderate to fast-growing
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Cuttings, Layering, Seeds, Division
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Hook.
- Publication
- Bot. Mag. 74: t. 4402 (1848)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Gentianales
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Genus
- Hoya