Hoya griffithii 'Silver' Form 1 6484

🌿 The Hoya griffithii 'Silver' Form 1 (sometimes called Silver Hoya or Griffith's Hoya) is a stunning member of the Apocynaceae family, native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Thailand. This intermediate-level plant rewards patient growers with silvery-green foliage that catches light beautifully. In its natural habitat, it climbs tree trunks and branches, seeking filtered sunlight beneath the canopy. Fun fact: Like many hoyas, this plant can live for decades and often blooms more prolifically as it matures, making it a true investment piece for collectors.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This hoya displays a vining growth habit that can be trained to climb a trellis or allowed to trail gracefully from a hanging basket. The leaves are thick and succulent-like, oval to lanceolate in shape, with a distinctive silvery overlay that gives the plant its common name. Each leaf has a smooth, almost waxy texture that feels substantial to the touch. The silvery-green colouration intensifies with proper light exposure, creating an eye-catching display that shifts in appearance throughout the day.
FLOWER DETAILS
Hoya griffithii produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers that emerge from peduncles along the vines. The blooms are typically creamy white to pale pink with burgundy or maroon centres, creating a striking contrast. These flowers carry a sweet, subtle fragrance that becomes more noticeable in the evening hours, adding sensory appeal beyond their visual beauty. Flowering typically occurs once or twice a year during warmer months when the plant receives adequate light and has reached maturity. To encourage blooming, maintain consistent care, avoid moving the plant frequently, allow it to become slightly root-bound, and ensure it receives bright indirect light with some direct morning sun.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light with some direct morning sun is ideal. This hoya can tolerate partial shade but silver colouration and flowering are best with 4-6 hours of bright light daily. Avoid harsh afternoon sun which can scorch leaves.
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when the top half of soil feels dry, roughly every 10-14 days in growing season and every 3-4 weeks in winter. Allow soil to dry between waterings as thick leaves store moisture. Bottom watering works well to prevent stem rot.
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in 50-70% humidity but adapts to average home conditions around 40%. Higher humidity encourages faster growth and more reliable flowering.
🪴 Soil: Use a chunky, well-draining mix with orchid bark, perlite, and peat or coco coir. Soil should feel airy and never stay soggy.
🏺 Potting: Choose a pot with drainage holes, slightly snug rather than oversized. Terracotta or plastic both work well. Repot every 2-3 years or when severely root-bound, as hoyas bloom better when roots are established.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate to slow. Expect 10-15 cm of new growth over 6 months under good conditions. In one year, a young plant may produce 30-45 cm of vine length. Mature plants can reach several metres in length over many years.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with diluted balanced liquid fertilizer or specialized hoya formula. Reduce to every 6-8 weeks in autumn and pause in winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: Generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, though ingestion of large amounts may cause mild digestive upset. The milky sap can occasionally cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
WHERE TO PUT IT
This hoya shines in bright living rooms, sunrooms, or near east or west-facing windows where it can receive gentle morning or late afternoon sun. It works beautifully in hanging planters where the trailing vines can cascade, or trained up a small trellis on a shelf or plant stand. Bathrooms with windows can provide the humidity boost it appreciates. Avoid placing it in dark corners, near heating vents that dry the air excessively, or in high-traffic areas where vines might be damaged. Keep away from cold drafts or windows that drop below 15°C in winter.