Hoya carnosa

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wax plant RHS
wax plant Dorling Kindersley 2003

Other common names

fleshy-leaved wax flower, porcelain flower

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A vigorous evergreen stem-rooting climber to 5m, with rigid, fleshy dark green leaves and umbels of night-scented, waxy, red-centred, white or pale pink flowers 15mm across

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Climbing
Genus
Hoya are evergreen perennials, often twining climbers, with simple, leathery leaves and often fragrant flowers with 5 spreading waxy petals, followed by slender, spindle-shaped pods contained small seeds in copious silky floss
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C China to Australia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered, frost-free area with protection from drying winds. Grow under glass in peat-free, loam-based compost in bright filtered light. Maintain moderate humidity. Provide support. See hoya cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Climber and wall shrubs

Pruning

Pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free