Overview
Hoya odorata is a climbing, trailing climber wall shrub in the genus Hoya, part of the Apocynaceae family, with evergreen, semi-succulent foliage. Hoya odorata grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H2. Suggested uses include houseplants, conservatories and greenhouses.
About
Hoya odorata is a cultivar of the Hoya genus, which comprises evergreen perennials often growing as twining climbers. This cultivar features simple, leathery, semi-succulent foliage and produces fragrant flowers with five waxy, spreading petals during spring and summer. It is suited to sheltered, south- or west-facing positions with full sun and thrives in well-drained, neutral loam soil. Hoya odorata is commonly grown as a houseplant or in conservatories and greenhouses, requiring fertile soil with roots kept in shade for optimal growth.
About the genus
Hoya is a genus of over 500 species of plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae, commonly known as waxflowers. Plants in the genus Hoya are mostly epiphytic or lithophytic vines, rarely subshrubs, with leathery, fleshy or succulent leaves, shortly tube-shaped or bell-shaped flowers with five horizontally spreading lobes, the flowers in umbels or racemes, and spindle-shaped or cylindrical to oval follicles containing flattened egg-shaped to oblong seeds.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hoya (plant)", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hoya (plant)
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Hoya
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H2
Plant details
Hoya odorata size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Climber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Climbing, Trailing
- Foliage
- Evergreen, Semi-succulent
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Conservatories, Greenhouses
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hoya odorata
- Propagation
- Semi-hardwood cuttings, Layering
- Pest resistance
- Mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Hoya odorata?
Hoya odorata prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Hoya odorata need?
Hoya odorata grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Hoya odorata hardy in the UK?
Hoya odorata has an RHS hardiness rating of H2, meaning it is tender, tolerating 1–5°C, and needs frost-free protection over winter.
How do I propagate Hoya odorata?
Semi-hardwood cuttings, Layering.
