Hoya 'Chouke' (carnosa x serpens) - mature specimens

Hoya 'Chouke' is an accepted hybrid cultivar, appreciated for its compact foliage, with elliptical, slightly fleshy leaves, and its pendent, sometimes climbing habit. It originated from the same seed capsule as Hoya 'Mathilde', but has larger, lighter leaves with fewer silver splashes. The creamy white, softly pinkish, densely fuzzy flowers are grouped in fragrant umbels, with a delicate pink-orange center.

Origin and parentage

Hoya 'Chouke' was bred by Emilio Begine in Belgium. Uncontrolled pollination took place in his garden in the summer of 1994, and the capsule opened in January 1995. The international register of Hoya cultivars treats it as an inferred hybrid between Hoya carnosa, the seed parent, and Hoya serpens, the pollen parent. Of the two seedlings retained, the cultivars 'Chouke' and 'Mathilde' were selected. The name 'Chouke' was chosen in memory of the hybridizer's wife.

Foliage and habit

Mature leaves are elliptical, usually around 5 cm long and 3 cm wide, smaller than those of typical forms of Hoya carnosa, but larger and more robust than those of Hoya serpens. The foliage is olive green, with entire margins that are sometimes slightly curled inward, and may occasionally display white-silver splashes. These markings are splash-type, not variegation, and their presence and distribution vary naturally.

The vines are delicate at first and become woody as they mature. The plant is primarily pendent or trailing, similar to Hoya serpens, although some stems may twine around a support.

Flowers and fragrance

The umbels contain approximately 15–20 flowers. The corollas are creamy white, usually with a pale pink tint, and have dense pubescence that gives them a fuzzy appearance. The center is medium pink to orange and lighter than that of the related cultivar 'Mathilde'. The flowers are fragrant; the scent is unusual and may be perceived differently from one person to another. Under favorable conditions, a mature plant can bloom repeatedly and abundantly during the warm season.

Note: vine length may vary depending on the season, natural growth rate, and production batch. Plants are shipped with vines of varying lengths that continue to develop and adapt.

Substrate and care guide

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.