Hoya scortechinii 'Red'

🌿 The Hoya scortechinii 'Red', commonly known as Red Hoya or Scortechini's Wax Plant, is a vining tropical species from the Apocynaceae family. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Malaysia, this hoya thrives as an epiphyte in warm, humid environments where it climbs tree trunks and branches. It's considered an intermediate-level plant, requiring some attention to watering and humidity but rewarding growers with spectacular displays. Here's something interesting: the deep red tones in its leaves intensify dramatically when the plant receives bright light, making it one of the few hoyas that actively changes colour based on light exposure.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This hoya grows as a climbing or trailing vine, developing long stems that can reach several feet when mature. The leaves are elongated and narrow, measuring about 3 to 5 inches in length with a slightly curved shape. What makes this variety special is the deep burgundy to reddish-purple colouration that develops along the leaf edges and undersides, contrasting beautifully with the darker green centres. The foliage has a thick, semi-succulent texture with a smooth, waxy surface that reflects light and helps the plant retain moisture during dry periods.
FLOWER DETAILS
The blooms appear in rounded clusters called umbels, each containing 10 to 20 individual flowers. The star-shaped flowers are creamy white to pale pink with burgundy red centres, creating a striking contrast against the dark foliage. They produce a sweet, honeyed fragrance that becomes more pronounced in the evening hours. The flowers are incredibly appealing with their porcelain-like appearance and fuzzy texture. Mature plants typically bloom once or twice per year, usually in spring and summer. To encourage flowering, provide bright indirect light, allow the plant to become slightly rootbound, and avoid moving it once flower buds form. Maintaining consistent watering without overwatering also helps trigger bloom cycles.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS

🌞 Light: Bright indirect light works best, though it tolerates some direct morning sun. Needs 4-6 hours of good light daily to develop deep red colouration. Avoid harsh afternoon sun which can scorch leaves.
💧 Water: Water thoroughly when the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry. In summer, this means every 7-10 days; in winter, every 14-21 days. Bottom watering or soak-and-drain method prevents water from sitting on leaves and encourages root development.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-70% humidity but adapts to average home conditions around 40%. Higher humidity promotes faster growth and healthier leaves.
🪴 Soil: Requires a chunky, well-draining mix. Combine orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir or peat moss in equal parts. Good aeration prevents root rot.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, preferably terracotta or plastic, sized just slightly larger than the root ball. Hoyas prefer being slightly rootbound. Repot every 2-3 years only when roots are completely filling the container.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate grower. New vines extend 6-12 inches in 6 months under good conditions, reaching 12-24 inches per year. Can eventually grow 3-6 feet long when mature.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Some growers use orchid fertilizer for better blooms. Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when growth naturally slows.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. While not highly toxic, hoyas can cause mild digestive upset if ingested by cats or dogs. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

WHERE TO PUT IT
This hoya works beautifully in bright bathrooms where humidity is naturally higher, or in living rooms and bedrooms near east or west-facing windows. It looks stunning in hanging baskets or trained up a small trellis on a shelf. Place it on plant stands or tall furniture where the vines can cascade down for visual impact. Avoid dark corners, cold drafty areas near exterior doors, and spots directly above heating vents. Keep it away from spaces where pets or children might be tempted to touch or chew the leaves.
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