Hoya elliptica 'Oval 6337'

Meet Hoya elliptica, commonly known as the Oval Hoya or Wax Plant, a member of the Apocynaceae family that hails from the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. 🌿 This climbing epiphyte naturally grows on tree branches in its native habitat, where it thrives in dappled light and warm, humid conditions. Considered an intermediate-level houseplant, it rewards patient growers with glossy foliage and fragrant blooms. Here's a fun fact: Hoya elliptica produces nectar that can actually drip from its flowers, so you might want to place a saucer underneath when it's blooming.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This climbing Hoya grows long vines that can be trained up a trellis or allowed to cascade from a hanging basket. The leaves are broadly oval to elliptical in shape, thick and succulent-like with a waxy coating that gives them their common name. They're deep green with a glossy finish that catches the light beautifully, and the texture is smooth and almost rubbery to the touch. New growth emerges with a slightly lighter tone before maturing to the rich green colour.
FLOWER DETAILS
The star-shaped flowers appear in rounded clusters called umbels, with each individual bloom featuring creamy white to pale pink petals and a darker pink centre. They emit a sweet, honey-like fragrance that intensifies in the evening hours, making them a delightful addition to any indoor space. The blooms are waxy in appearance, matching the foliage texture, and they create an eye-catching contrast against the dark green leaves. Hoya elliptica typically flowers once or twice a year when mature, usually in spring through summer. To encourage blooming, provide bright indirect light, allow the plant to become slightly rootbound, and avoid cutting off the peduncles (flower stalks) after blooms fade, as new flowers will emerge from the same spot.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light works best, though it tolerates partial shade. Aim for 6-8 hours of filtered sunlight daily near an east or west-facing window.
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when the top half of soil feels dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer and every 14-21 days in winter. Bottom watering works well to prevent water sitting on leaves.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-70% humidity but adapts to average home conditions around 40-50%.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining chunky mix with orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss or coco coir for aeration and moisture retention.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, 4-6 inches deep depending on plant size. Terracotta or plastic both work. Repot every 2-3 years or when severely rootbound.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate grower, adding 6-12 inches in 6 months under good conditions, 12-24 inches yearly. Can reach 6-10 feet in length at maturity.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with diluted balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or similar). Reduce to every 6-8 weeks in fall and skip winter feeding.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Hoya elliptica contains compounds that can cause mild stomach upset, drooling, or vomiting if ingested by cats or dogs.
WHERE TO PUT IT
This Hoya shines when placed on a high shelf, in a hanging basket near a bright window, or trained up a small trellis in a living room or bedroom. It works beautifully in bathrooms with windows due to the natural humidity boost. The vining habit makes it perfect for adding vertical interest to empty corners or brightening up office spaces with indirect light. Avoid placing it in dimly lit hallways, rooms without windows, or directly next to heating vents and air conditioners that create temperature fluctuations and dry air.