Wax plant

Wax Plant (Hoya) is a genus of tropical plants in the Apocynaceae family. The genus includes about 200 to 300 species that are native to Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Wax plants are known for their waxy leaves and fragrant, star-shaped flowers.

Description

Wax plants are evergreen perennial plants that can grow as climbing or trailing vines. They have simple, opposite leaves that are typically thick and waxy. The flowers are star-shaped, often fragrant, and are borne in clusters known as umbels. The flowers are usually white, pink, or yellow, and are often marked with a contrasting color.

Cultivation

Wax plants are popular as houseplants due to their attractive foliage and flowers, and their ability to tolerate a range of indoor conditions. They prefer bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Wax plants are typically propagated by stem cuttings, although they can also be grown from seeds.

Species

There are about 200 to 300 species in the Hoya genus. Some of the most popular species for cultivation include Hoya carnosa, the common wax plant, and Hoya kerrii, the sweetheart hoya.

Uses

In addition to their use as ornamental plants, some species of wax plants have been used in traditional medicine. For example, Hoya carnosa has been used in Chinese medicine to treat coughs and colds.

See also

• List of Hoya species
• Apocynaceae
• Houseplant