Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa): Fragrant Star Clusters on a Vining Succulent

Wax plant (Hoya carnosa), also called porcelain flower, is a classic, long-lived houseplant with thick, waxy, succulent leaves and vining stems that produce umbels of sweetly fragrant, star-shaped pink and white flowers. The blooms look like they are made of porcelain or wax, hence the common names.

Growth

Stems can trail or climb to 10–15 feet. The plant prefers to be slightly root-bound and often blooms better when crowded. Flowers appear on perennial spurs (peduncles) that should not be removed after flowering, as they rebloom from the same spurs year after year.

Care

Bright, indirect light; well-draining soil (orchid or cactus mix). Allow soil to dry between waterings. High humidity encourages blooming. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer in spring/summer. Easy to propagate from stem cuttings.

Taxonomy

• Family: Asclepiadaceae (Apocynaceae)
• Genus: Hoya
• Species: carnosa
• Synonym: Asclepias carnosa