Hoya Lyi long leaves ( round leaf tips) 6479

🌿 Hoya lyi is a delightful vining tropical houseplant from the Apocynaceae family, native to the mountainous regions of Southeast Asia. This charming species produces clusters of small, rounded leaves that grow densely along trailing stems, creating a lush curtain effect perfect for hanging baskets. It's an intermediate-care plant that rewards patience with stunning displays of fragrant flowers. Here's something neat: Hoya lyi was only formally described and named in recent decades, making it a relatively new addition to the Hoya collector's world, though it's been growing in the wild for millennia.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This Hoya grows as a trailing or climbing vine with stems that cascade gracefully from containers or climb supports when provided. The small leaves are nearly circular to oval-shaped, typically measuring one to two centimetres across, with a thick, succulent texture. Leaf colour ranges from deep green to slightly greyish-green with a matte to semi-glossy finish. New growth emerges lighter and firms up as it matures, and the compact leaf arrangement along the stems gives the plant a tidy, organized appearance that looks intentional rather than wild.
FLOWER DETAILS
The flowers appear in rounded clusters called umbels, with each tiny star-shaped bloom measuring about half a centimetre across. They're creamy white to pale yellow with burgundy or pink centres, creating a lovely contrast. The fragrance is sweet and slightly citrusy, most noticeable in the evening and early morning hours. These blooms have a waxy, almost porcelain-like quality that makes them look artificial at first glance. Hoya lyi typically flowers once or twice yearly during warmer months when mature, though younger plants may take two to three years to bloom. To encourage flowering, provide bright indirect light, avoid moving the plant once buds form, and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings during spring and summer.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light works best, though it tolerates some morning sun. Aim for 6-8 hours of filtered light daily through a sheer curtain or near an east-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 or soaking the pot in a basin works well since Hoyas prefer even moisture without sitting in water.
🌡️ Humidity: Average home humidity of 40-60% is sufficient, though 50-70% encourages faster growth and more reliable flowering.
🪴 Soil: Use a chunky, well-draining mix with orchid bark, perlite, and peat or coco coir in roughly equal parts to prevent root rot.
🏺 Potting: Choose a pot 10-15 cm wide with drainage holes, preferably terracotta or plastic. Hoyas like being slightly rootbound, so repot only every 2-3 years when roots emerge from drainage holes.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate grower, adding 15-30 cm of new vine length over six months in good conditions, reaching 1-2 metres in a year with support. Maximum length can extend to 2-3 metres indoors if allowed to trail or climb.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.
🐾 Pet friendly: Yes, Hoya lyi is non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it safe for homes with curious pets.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Hoya lyi thrives in bright rooms with filtered sunlight, making it ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices near east or west-facing windows. It looks stunning in hanging planters where its trailing vines can cascade freely, or trained up a small trellis on a shelf or plant stand. Bathrooms with windows provide excellent humidity, though ensure adequate light reaches the plant. Avoid placing it in dark corners, near cold drafts from doors or air conditioning vents, or in rooms that drop below 15°C regularly during winter. Keep it away from heating vents that create overly dry air.