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Hoya carnosa (Wax plant)
3 hours care
per year
per year
6m
Max height
Max height
1.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Hoya carnosa
Other names
Wax plant, Fleshy-leaved wax flower, Porcelain flower, Honey plant, Asclepias carnosa
Genus
Hoya Hoya
Species
H. carnosa - H. carnosa is a vigorous, succulent, stem-rooting, evergreen climber with rigid, ovate, fleshy, dark green leaves and dense clusters of night-fragrant, waxy, white or pink flowers with red centres blooming from late spring to autumn.
Hoya carnosa is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant at night.
Habit
Climbing
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
White, Pink in Spring; Pink, White in Summer; White, Pink in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Mealybugs Mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Provide a support for the twining stems. Pruning group 11.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
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Where to grow
Hoya carnosa (Wax plant) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 1.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. Requires moderate to high humidity. Water freely and feed monthly in growth, keep moist in winter. Outdoors, grow in moist, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered site with midday shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Hoya carnosa
Other names
Wax plant, Fleshy-leaved wax flower, Porcelain flower, Honey plant, Asclepias carnosa
Genus
Hoya Hoya
Species
H. carnosa - H. carnosa is a vigorous, succulent, stem-rooting, evergreen climber with rigid, ovate, fleshy, dark green leaves and dense clusters of night-fragrant, waxy, white or pink flowers with red centres blooming from late spring to autumn.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant at night.
Habit
Climbing
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
White, Pink in Spring; Pink, White in Summer; White, Pink in Autumn
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease free
General care
Pruning
Provide a support for the twining stems. Pruning group 11.
Propagation methods
Layering, Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Hoya carnosa (Wax plant) will reach a height of 6m and a spread of 1.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Greenhouse, Indoor, Wallside and trellises
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. Requires moderate to high humidity. Water freely and feed monthly in growth, keep moist in winter. Outdoors, grow in moist, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered site with midday shade.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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