Hoya carnosa (Wax Plant)

Hoya carnosa is a slow-growing, woody, evergreen vine that is commonly known as the Wax Plant or the Wax Flower.  It is one of the 100 species of Hoya that are native to Eastern Asia and Australia. Its name, Hoya carnosa, came from Thomas Hoym, a gardener to the Duke of Northumberland during the 18th century.  Hoya has fleshy green or variegated leaves.  Common H. carnosa houseplants can be seen with thick white-green leaves with green border that are usually 2 to 4 inches long. During late spring, early or mid or late summer, and early fall H. carnosa produces clusters of white or near-white fragrant porcelain-like flowers each with a five-point pink star in the center.

The attractive appearance and fragrance of H. carnosa makes it prone to nematodes and geckoes, thus it is often grown in containers and one of the many well-loved indoor house plants.  As one of the most beautiful vines or climbers, they are also grown indoors in a cascading manner down a wall.

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