Hoyas pages 1, Asclepiad Asclepiadceae Hoya Tropical Plants, Hoya's, Hoyas

The Hoyas are a group of plants belonging to the Asclepidaceae family, a huge family spreading across Africa to Asia. Hoyas are found in Asia region from Northern Australia to China. Hundreds of species exist but only a few exist in cultivation. New forms of Hoyas are still being discovered today in the Jungles of Asia.

Hoyas are predominantly creepers or vines growing up tree trunks or rock faces. Most Hoyas grow at a rapid rate and develop flower buds as they grow. The flower buds are quite unique as they develop into a cone that may or may not produce flowers when mature. This cone has the ability to produce multiple sets of flowers in a season and reflower for several years from the same cone.

Hoyas are easily grown in a wide range of climates ranging from tropical to very cold. Some varieties can survive in frosty areas if they are under cover. Ideal growing environments are under shady trees or under covered areas like patios, ferneries and other partially enclosed spaces. Light requirements are from 40% shade to 75% shade. Excessive sunlight will not harm most Hoyas but will make the plant very yellow and may damage some leaves. H australis can flower far better in full sun than shade but it will have very poor looking leaves. If its gets too dark Hoyas will grow very well but may not flower.

Many species of Hoyas will grow well as indoor plants but only a few are able to flower under low light condition, the species H bella and H lacunosa are the best indoor species and both are very fragrant. Many of the hoyas have very good fragrance and some like H lacunosa can scent out an entire house.

The following pages list most of the Hoyas grown by Paradisia,
all items listed are available by mail order or from our retail nursery.

	Hoya serpens A miniature species with leaves on 1cm across. Flowers come in bunches of 10 to 15 hanging from ends of stems and at up to 1.5cm across.
Hoya Red Buttons A fast growing creeping hoya suited for baskets and trellises. Produces 10cm balls of 1cm red to brown flowers from late spring to early autumn.
	Hoya bella A miniature species suited for baskets. Flowers 1cm across come in bunches of 10 to 15 hanging from along the stems. Bella has been in cultivation for many years and is well known to collectors.

For the avid collectors of hoyas, details of the Hoya Society International are as follows

Christine M Burton, Editor, The Hoyan
P.O. Box 80156
Conyers, GA 30013-8156, USA
Dues are $US20 for the first year