Hoya serpens

Hoya serpens is a climbing and trailing species with miniature, rounded, subtly pubescent foliage. The name refers to the serpentine growth habit of its vines, which makes it well suited to hanging displays. The species is native to the central and eastern Himalayas, Nepal, and the Andaman Islands. The star-shaped flowers, covered in fine hairs, have a pale green corolla and a white corona with pink accents. They are fragrant, with a sweet scent that is more noticeable when several flowers open at once. It is also known as the Wax Flower.

Foliage and growth. The foliage consists of small, nearly round or slightly oval leaves, dark green in colour, with fine hairs and sometimes subtle silver markings. In cultivation, the leaves are usually approximately 1.5–2 cm long and 1–1.5 cm wide. The vines are thin and flexible, making them suitable for a hanging basket or for trailing freely. Unlike many lowland tropical Hoya species, this species comes from moist mountainous regions and has a rather moderate growth rate.

Flowers and fragrance. The flowers are star-shaped, flat, and densely pubescent, measuring approximately 1.5 cm. The corolla is pale green or lime green, while the corona is white, with pink towards the centre and a yellow spot. They appear in pendant umbels bearing up to approximately 15 flowers. The fragrance is sweet, subtle when only a few flowers are open and more pronounced when the umbel is full. The flowers last for approximately one week and produce little nectar, unlike many other Hoya.

Botanical identity and origin. The accepted name is Hoya serpens Hook.f., published in 1883 in Flora of British India. It is not a cultivar. The cultivated material follows this species profile, with rounded leaves and pale green, pubescent flowers.

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, fertilisation, propagation, and flowering, read the complete Hoya care guide.