Students for Stewardship The Cork Board
← Back to the library

Honey Plant

Hoya carnosa (HOY-ah kar-NO-suh)

Family: Asclepiadaceae Non-native Vine (vertical)

Wax plant is a broadleaf evergreen, epiphytic, vining, herbaceous perennial in the dogbane family (Asclepiadaceae). It is native to Southeast Asia, Japan, and Taiwan. The species epithet means “fleshy,” referring to the thick, succulent leaves. Bright indirect light year-round is ideal. As this plant is an epiphyte, use a loose, fast-draining potting mix high in organic matter and a container with good drainage. Allow the soil to dry out between watering. Too wet or too dry soil can cause the leaves to drop. This plant loves high humidity, and you may consider using a humidifier or placing the plant container on a tray of wet pebbles. Propagate the wax plant by stem cutting. Repot the wax plant when it outgrows its current container and is not in bud or flower. It doesn’t mind being pot-bound. The new pot should not be more than 2 inches larger than the existing container. If pruning is necessary, it is best done in early spring before its rapid growth begins. Resist pruning the peduncle (“spur”) where flowers have been produced, as this will repeatedly produce flowers over several years. Cutting off these stems is cutting off future flowers. Most plants will not produce flowers until they are 2 or 3 years old. Blooming can occur in the spring, summer, or fall. Given its climbing habit and rapid growth, the wax plant is a great choice for hanging baskets. Like many houseplants, it can spend the summer outdoors on a patio in partial shade. Bring it back inside when nighttime temperatures fall below 50 degrees F. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Mealybugs can be a problem, and fungus gnats, which are attracted to potting mixes that are too wet. Occasionally, spider mites can be an issue and can appear when the air is too dry. Cold water can shock this plant. Always use water at room temperature. More information on Hoya .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 51 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 6 - Vine (vertical) Optimal soil pH Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Hoya australis

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Epiphyte; Houseplant; Vine
Life cycle
Perennial
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Leathery; Waxy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The thick green leaves have a leathery, waxy feel. They can be flecked with a silvery or cream-white color.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Umbel
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The shiny flowers are white to pink and hairy, with five-point centers, in clusters of up to 30. They may produce a sticky sap.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem color
Cream/Tan; Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southeast Asia, Japan, and Taiwan
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Easy to Grow; Fragrance; Shade
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants; Patio
Landscape theme
Shade Garden
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#houseplant #interiorscape #waxy #sweet fragrance #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #tropical #humidity tolerant #trailing #fragrant flowers #vine #epiphytic #climber
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Fungus Gnats Indoors; Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage; Banded Greenhouse Thrips
Resistant to
Drought; Humidity
Propagation
Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.