Hoya Icensis 'Patcharawalai' (ICE 023)

🌿 Hoya icensis 'Patcharawalai', commonly known as Patcharawalai Hoya, is a member of the Apocynaceae family and a rare climbing species native to Thailand. This beginner-friendly hoya features small, succulent leaves and produces clusters of fragrant, waxy flowers that smell like caramel or butterscotch. Unlike many hoyas that can take years to bloom, this variety flowers relatively quickly once established, making it a rewarding choice for new collectors. Fun fact: the cultivar name honours a Thai plant enthusiast who helped popularize rare hoyas in Southeast Asia.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This hoya has a climbing growth habit with slender vines that can be trained on a trellis or allowed to cascade from a hanging basket. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, and slightly cupped with a smooth, waxy texture. They display a rich green colour with subtle silver flecking that catches the light beautifully.
FLOWER DETAILS
The flowers are creamy white to pale yellow with maroon centres, forming tight, rounded clusters that resemble tiny stars. They emit a strong, sweet fragrance that intensifies in the evening, filling the room with a delightful caramel-like scent. This hoya blooms multiple times per year, especially during warmer months, and flowers emerge from the same peduncles season after season. To encourage blooming, provide bright indirect light, avoid moving the plant once buds form, and let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily; can tolerate some morning sun but avoid harsh afternoon rays
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when the top half of soil feels dry; reduce frequency in winter. Water at the base to avoid wetting leaves. Hoyas prefer to dry out slightly between waterings
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in 40-60% humidity; tolerates average home conditions but benefits from occasional misting
🪴 Soil: Well-draining chunky mix with perlite, orchid bark, and peat or coco coir for aeration
🏺 Potting: Use a plastic or terracotta pot with drainage holes, sized snugly around roots. Repot every 2-3 years in spring when roots fill the pot
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate; vines grow 15-30 cm in the first year and can reach 1-2 metres at maturity with proper support
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with diluted balanced liquid fertilizer; reduce to every 6-8 weeks in fall and winter
🐾 Pet friendly: No, mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested; may cause vomiting or drooling. Keep out of reach of curious pets
WHERE TO PUT IT
Place this hoya near an east or west-facing window in the living room, bedroom, or home office where it can receive bright, filtered light throughout the day. It works beautifully on a shelf with a small trellis or in a hanging planter where the vines can cascade. Avoid placing it in dimly lit corners, bathrooms without windows, or near cold drafts from air conditioners or exterior doors during winter months.