Which is the Best Hoya for a Beginner?
Whenever I get asked which is the best Hoya for a beginner, the same 2 Hoyas immediately springing to mind. Without doubt, Hoya carnosa is a strong contender, being so simple to grow, and producing umbels of porcelain pink flower umbels that fill rooms with their sweet, heady aroma. My other choice is Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ which is another very good Hoya for the beginner. It has a similar habit to Hoya carnosa, but generally longer, more elongate leaves with more striking flecking. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ also produces sensational blooms, but with a deeper purple hue and a slightly mustier fragrance.
Now I’ve made my suggestions, it is time for you to decide….
Hoya carnosa
Hoya carnosa is by far the most common Hoya. Hoya carnosa is always the plant that people refer to when they talk about their ‘Grandmother’s Hoya’ that has been passed down the generations. There are several varieties of Hoya carnosa, but here we will consider the classic, original plant.
What’s so special about Hoya carnosa?
Hoya carnosa is very easy to grow. It is a tough plant that will grow on in all but the most unsuitable conditions. In 2011, I had one in my UK garden in a tropical area along with a Ficus elastica. I also have some dotted around my house in various positions, some bright, some rather dull.
Tough Tropical Plants
Perhaps the harshest place I currently have my Hoya carnosa is in my slightly heated greenhouse, where temperatures have been as low as 2°C at night time. The specimen in there is doing rather well, and does not look affected by the cool weather at all.
Hoya pubicalyx
Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ is, in my opinion, more vigorous and rewarding than its sister, Hoya pubicalyx ‘Red Button’. Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ grows similarly to Hoya carnosa, but the vines tend to be more rigid, meaning it needs training earlier, when the vines are nice and supple, to avoid any damage.
Easy Tropical Vine
Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ really is an easy tropical vine. It will quickly send out adventitious vines that will attach themselves to pretty much anything they can wrap themselves around. After the vines have settled, leaves will form and the vines will become more rigid.
Contrasting Hoya
Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’ provides a beautiful contrast when partnered with Hoya carnosa. Both can be trained through a trellis, or entwined through a larger ‘host’ plant, enabling you to benefit from the both of their foliage and flowers.
Read More about Hoya pubicalyx ‘Silver Pink’.