Hoya soidaoensis

🌿 Hoya soidaoensis is a vining tropical plant from the Apocynaceae family, originally discovered in Thailand. This climbing species grows naturally in warm, humid forests where it attaches to trees and rocks. It's considered an intermediate-level plant, requiring some attention to humidity and watering but rewarding growers with unique foliage and occasional blooms. Fun fact: this species was only recently described botanically in the early 2000s, making it one of the newer additions to the Hoya genus.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
Hoya soidaoensis is a vining plant that climbs or trails depending on how you support it. The leaves are narrow and elongated with a slightly pointed tip, measuring around 8-12 cm in length. They're deep green with a matte to semi-glossy finish and feature prominent veining that adds subtle texture. The leaves are firm and slightly succulent, helping the plant store moisture between waterings.
FLOWER DETAILS
The flowers of Hoya soidaoensis are small, star-shaped blooms that appear in clusters called umbels. They're typically pale pink to cream-coloured with a darker pink centre, creating a soft contrast. The flowers have a light, sweet fragrance that's most noticeable in the evening. While not the showiest Hoya bloom, they're charming and delicate. Flowering usually happens once or twice a year when the plant is mature and conditions are right. To encourage blooms, provide bright indirect light, avoid moving the plant once buds form, and don't remove the peduncles (flower stalks) after blooming since they'll produce flowers again.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light is ideal. A few hours of gentle morning sun is beneficial. Needs around 6-8 hours of good light daily to thrive and bloom.
💧 Water: Water when the top half of soil feels dry, usually every 7-10 days in summer and every 2-3 weeks in winter. Water thoroughly until it drains out the bottom. Reduce watering during cooler months.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 50-70% humidity but can adapt to average home levels around 40-50% with occasional misting.
🪴 Soil: Well-draining, chunky mix. Combine potting soil with perlite, orchid bark, and a bit of coco coir for aeration and drainage.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, terracotta or plastic both work. Keep it slightly snug—Hoyas like being a bit rootbound. Repot every 2-3 years or when roots fill the pot completely.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate to slow. Expect 15-30 cm of new growth in the first year under good conditions. Mature vines can reach 1-2 metres indoors over several years.
👩‍🌾 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: No. Hoya soidaoensis is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, potentially causing vomiting, drooling, and digestive upset due to compounds in the sap.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Hoya soidaoensis works well in living rooms, bedrooms, or home offices where it can receive bright filtered light near a window. It's beautiful displayed on a shelf where its vines can trail down, or trained up a small trellis or moss pole. Avoid placing it in low-light corners, bathrooms without windows, or directly in front of heating vents or air conditioners, as temperature fluctuations and poor light will stress the plant and prevent flowering.