The hoya, a tropical plant known as the "porcelain flower," is easy to grow and can produce blooms for several years when properly cared for.
Native to tropical Asia and the Pacific islands, the hoya stands out for its star-shaped, almost artificial-looking flowers. Its long stems can be left to trail from a hanging planter or trained up a support to climb.
Camille Georges, a florist and stage designer at the Kupalami studio, said on Instagram that there are more than 500 species of hoya, with flowers that can be white, pink, yellow or red.
The plant's petals are its most distinctive feature. Grouped in clusters called umbels, they are thick, glossy and almost waxy, which is how the hoya earned its nickname "porcelain flower." Georges said some flowers hold so much nectar that large sweet droplets can be seen falling beneath the blooms.
How to care for a hoya
The hoya above all needs light, according to gardening magazine Veïr. It can be placed near an east- or west-facing window, where it gets plenty of brightness without harsh direct sun. A south-facing spot works too, particularly for varieties with thicker leaves, as long as the plant sits behind a sheer curtain to avoid scorching.
Watering and repotting
The plant should be watered sparingly, as it is sensitive to standing water around its roots. It is best to wait until the soil is nearly dry before watering again, which generally means once or twice a week in summer and every ten to fifteen days in winter, depending on temperature and pot size. The leaves can offer a clue when the plant needs water.
The hoya does not need frequent repotting, but it should be kept in light, well-drained soil so its roots do not stay damp.
A flower that returns to the same spot
One of the hoya's main advantages is its flowering. The plant needs to reach maturity before it blooms for the first time, but after that it can flower for years if properly cared for.
Georges said it can rebloom several times in exactly the same spot, so stems that have already flowered should not be cut. Once the flowers fade, only the wilted blooms should be removed, while the stalk that held them should be left in place.
Propagating and growing hoya in France
The hoya is also easy to propagate. According to Veïr, a cutting of about ten centimetres with at least one pair of leaves can be taken and placed either in water or directly into suitable soil.
Although the plant comes from tropical regions, it can still be grown in France. Georges said it simply needs to be kept indoors during winter, since the tropical plant cannot tolerate frost at all.
