Hoya 'Minibelle' (shepherdii x carnosa) - fragrant

Hoya marketed as Hoya 'Minibelle' is a horticultural hybrid with the commercial parentage shepherdii x carnosa, not a botanical species. It has a vining habit, with narrow, dark green foliage that may display irregular silver splashes. The leaves are elongated and wider than those of a typical shepherdii, but remain visibly narrow. The flowers are star-shaped, generally pink, with a pink corona and red center, and are fragrant. The vines can be trained onto a support or left to trail.

Foliage and growth. The hybrid combines the long leaves of Hoya shepherdii with the texture and silver splashes of Hoya carnosa. In cultivation, the leaf blade is usually 10–12 cm long and about 2 cm wide; on some specimens, it may be longer. The silver markings are splash, not variegation, and do not appear identically on every leaf. The growth habit is vining, making it suitable for a support or hanging basket.

Flowers and fragrance. The flowers are almost flat, mostly light pink, with areas of darker pink. The corona is pink, with a red center. They last for approximately one week. The fragrance is pleasant; in the commercial description, it was compared to that of Hoya shepherdii, but described as less intense. The intensity may vary between blooms.

Horticultural identity. 'Minibelle' is a hybrid cultivar. The commercial parentage in the title remains Hoya shepherdii x Hoya carnosa. The hybrid was obtained by Ed Hummel and named after his wife, Minibelle Hummel. Hoya shepherdii Short ex Hook. and Hoya carnosa (L.f.) R.Br. are accepted species, but 'Minibelle' is not a synonym of either.

Substrate: use an airy, well-draining mix suitable for epiphytic species. We recommend the professional substrate for Hoya and Anthurium - SG Mix.

For complete recommendations on light, watering, substrate, fertilization, propagation, and flowering, read the complete Hoya care guide.