Discover 15 beautiful hoya varieties with unique foliage and fragrant blooms. Learn how to grow these tropical plants in your home.
I’ve collected hoyas for years, and these tropical plants never cease to amaze me with their waxy flowers and diverse foliage. Hoyas, also called wax plants, offer something for every plant lover – from thick succulent leaves to delicate vines covered in blooms. What makes them truly special is their resilience and the way they transform any space into a tropical oasis.
If you’re looking for plants that deliver stunning visual appeal with relatively easy care, these fifteen hoya varieties will bring exceptional beauty to your indoor garden.
1. Hoya carnosa (Classic Wax Plant)
This is the hoya most people recognize. Hoya carnosa features thick, dark green leaves and produces clusters of star-shaped pink flowers with red centers. The blooms have a sweet fragrance that becomes stronger in the evening. It’s one of the most reliable blooming hoyas and can thrive for decades with proper care. The vines can reach several feet long, making it perfect for hanging baskets.
2. Hoya pubicalyx
Known for its long, narrow leaves with silver speckles, this vigorous grower produces large clusters of dark pink to burgundy flowers. The blooms have a sweet, chocolate-like fragrance that fills the room. It’s particularly adaptable to different light conditions and grows well in hanging baskets or trained up a trellis. I’ve found it to be one of the fastest-growing hoya varieties in my collection.
3. Hoya kerrii (Sweetheart Hoya)
Famous for its heart-shaped leaves, this hoya is often sold as single-leaf cuttings. The thick, succulent leaves can grow quite large on mature plants. It produces typical hoya flower clusters in pale pink to yellow, though it may take several years to bloom. It’s a slow grower but very drought-tolerant due to its thick leaves.
4. Hoya lacunosa (Cinnamon Hoya)
This smaller-leaved hoya features green leaves that fold inward slightly, creating a unique boat shape. The real highlight is the abundant clusters of white flowers that emit a strong cinnamon scent. It blooms frequently once established and works beautifully in small hanging baskets. The leaves have a textured appearance that catches the light beautifully.
5. Hoya australis
With its round, glossy green leaves and vigorous growth habit, this hoya makes an excellent beginner plant. The flowers are white with red centers and have a sweet, spicy fragrance. It’s more tolerant of direct light than many other hoyas and can handle slightly cooler temperatures. The vines can grow several feet long in a single season under ideal conditions.
6. Hoya obovata
The nearly circular, dark green leaves with silver speckles make this hoya instantly recognizable. The leaves are thick and succulent, helping the plant withstand occasional dry spells. It produces pretty pink flower clusters with a subtle fragrance. It’s a moderate grower that looks stunning in both hanging baskets and pots.
7. Hoya linearis
This unusual hoya features thin, gray-green leaves that hang down like pine needles. The delicate appearance belies its tough nature – it’s quite easy to grow once established. It produces small white flowers with a sweet, lemony fragrance. The trailing growth habit makes it perfect for hanging planters where the vines can cascade freely.
8. Hoya wayetii
Similar to Hoya kentiana but with more pronounced leaf edges, this variety features long, narrow leaves that develop red edges in bright light. The clusters of dark pink flowers have a subtle sweet scent. It’s a graceful plant that looks beautiful trained around a small trellis or allowed to trail from a shelf.
9. Hoya mathilde
This compact hybrid has become incredibly popular for its small, oval leaves covered in silver flecks. The leaves have a slightly puckered texture that adds to their charm. It produces white flowers with pink centers that have a mild, pleasant fragrance. It’s an ideal choice for small spaces and blooms readily once mature.
10. Hoya retusa
Unlike typical hoyas, this species has flat, needle-like leaves that grow in opposite pairs. The unique foliage gives it a grass-like appearance, and it produces single white flowers rather than clusters. It’s an epiphytic hoya that looks stunning mounted on bark or grown in a hanging basket. The unusual growth habit makes it a conversation piece.
11. Hoya shepherdii
Often called the “string bean hoya” for its long, thin leaves, this variety has a graceful, trailing habit. The leaves are dark green with a prominent midrib, and the plant produces clusters of white flowers with pink centers. The blooms have a sweet fragrance similar to chocolate. It grows steadily and can create a beautiful curtain of foliage.
12. Hoya curtisii
This miniature hoya features tiny, silver-patterned leaves on trailing stems that root along their length. It’s perfect for terrariums or small hanging baskets where the delicate foliage can be appreciated up close. The small white flowers have a mild fragrance and appear reliably on established plants.
13. Hoya bella (Miniature Wax Plant)
With its small, pointed leaves and compact growth habit, this hoya is ideal for smaller spaces. The flowers are white with purple centers and appear in perfect, symmetrical clusters. It has a more shrub-like growth habit than many vining hoyas and blooms readily during summer months. It’s particularly sensitive to overwatering, so well-draining soil is essential.
14. Hoya polyneura (Fishtail Hoya)
The deeply veined leaves of this hoya resemble fish tails, giving it a distinctive appearance. The leaves are thin compared to many hoyas and have beautiful silver markings. It’s a moderate grower that produces clusters of yellow flowers with a light fragrance. The unique leaf shape makes it highly sought after by collectors.
15. Hoya serpens
This delicate hoya features small, round leaves on thin, trailing stems. The leaves have a slightly fuzzy texture and bright green color. It produces fuzzy white flowers with a sweet fragrance. While it grows slowly, its charming appearance makes it worth the wait. It does best in high humidity, making it an excellent choice for terrariums.
How to Grow and Care for Hoya Plants
Getting the best growth and blooms from your hoyas requires understanding their basic needs. These tips will help you keep your plants healthy and flowering.
Light and Temperature
Most hoyas prefer bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is ideal, though they can adapt to west or south exposure with some protection from direct sun. They thrive in normal household temperatures between 60-85°F and should be protected from temperatures below 50°F. According to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, many tropical plants like hoyas need consistent warmth to flourish.
Watering and Soil
As epiphytic plants, hoyas need excellent drainage and air circulation around their roots. Water thoroughly when the soil is mostly dry, then allow it to dry out before watering again. Use a well-draining mix containing orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss. Always plant in containers with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
Encouraging Blooms
Mature hoyas need adequate light to produce their beautiful flowers. Don’t remove the old flower stalks (peduncles) as new blooms will form from these same points. Many hoyas benefit from slightly pot-bound conditions to encourage flowering. A small amount of bloom-boosting fertilizer with higher phosphorus content can help stimulate flowering in mature plants.
Fertilizing and Maintenance
Feed your hoyas monthly during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce feeding during winter months when growth slows. Wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust and help the plant breathe. Prune only to control size or remove dead growth.
Bringing Hoya Beauty Home
Hoya varieties offer an incredible range of foliage forms and flowering habits that can enhance any plant collection. Their relatively easy care and stunning blooms make them perfect for both new and experienced plant growers. Whether you choose the classic Hoya carnosa or the unusual Hoya retusa, these plants will reward you with years of beauty.
For more information on growing tropical plants and other flowering varieties, explore our guides on houseplants and container gardening. The Missouri Botanical Garden also provides excellent growing advice for these versatile plants.
Have you grown any of these hoya varieties? Which one’s unique characteristics appeal to you most? Share your experience in the comments below.
