Hoya caudata

Hoya caudata is an epiphytic vine native from southern Thailand to western Malaysia. The foliage has silver splash on a green background and can darken to burgundy, almost black, under bright light. It is shipped with green leaves. The flowers are star-shaped and fuzzy, white or pale pink, with a red corona. Persistent peduncles may bloom again. Flowering depends on the plant’s maturity and growing conditions.

Foliage and growth. The leaves are ovate or elliptically elongated, becoming thick at maturity, often with slightly wavy margins. The background is green and covered with silver splash. Batch photos show green blades with silver mottling, in a growing pot. The batch gallery shows the foliage, not the umbels. The shoots are vining. Cuttings or plants with green leaves are shipped. The burgundy or almost black coloration develops after exposure to intense light and is not guaranteed at delivery. The size and number of leaves vary from one specimen to another.

Flowers and fragrance. The species’ flowers are star-shaped, covered with hairs, usually white, beige, or pale pink, with a red corona. The epithet caudata refers to the long anther appendages in the center of the flower. The gallery combines fuzzy umbels from flowering plants with the green foliage of the batch. Persistent peduncles may produce repeated blooms; buds can drop easily if the plant is moved or exposed to significant temperature fluctuations. Plants may flower at a relatively small size, on new vines. In the Secret Garden greenhouse, flowering may continue throughout the year. The plant is sold as a fragrant plant. A duration of up to one week is a growing observation; in the literature, the flowers may remain open for only a few days. Flowering depends on the plant’s maturity and growing conditions.

Identity. The accepted botanical name is Hoya caudata Hook.f., published in 1883. Its native range includes Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Borneo. The plant grows as an epiphyte in the humid tropical biome. This is not the batch labeled (black leaves), not the Sumatra label, and not the form sold as big and green leaves.

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.