Aren't hoyas from georgetown? Okay, that was bad.
Hoyas have long been one of our very favorite houseplants. We have them everywhere, all in natural light. Most reside in our glasshouse, but many others hang in windows with eastern, western, or partly shaded southern exposures. They're easy to grow almost anywhere, and are almost indestructible!
Hoya is a genus of more than 200 species and is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family, They are tropical and subtropical plants native to Australia, islands of the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, and China.
Commonly known as the "wax plant", "wax vine", or "porcelain flower", they are climbing, twining, vines with very thick, fleshy, leathery leaves. Their waxy, often heavily fragrant blooms are borne in rounded clusters like upside-down umbrellas.
Shown at left: Hoya obscura v. longipedunculata
Hoyas are highly recommended for the novice or "black thumb", since they can be virtually neglect-proof once mature. Because of their thick, almost succulent, stems and leaves, they are very tolerant of dryness. If anything, too much, rather than too little, water can be a problem. Though regular repotting in fresh soil is beneficial, they can be happy for very long periods in pots that are too small and soil that is too old. They will survive as a nice foliage plant even in low-light conditions, but good, bright, light is needed if you want them to thrive and bloom regularly. They are very tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and humidity.
To propagate, simply root tip cuttings. Avoid using old growth that has become "woody", don't over-water cuttings and very young plants, and provide them some warmth. Also, be warned that Hoyas produce a thick, milky, sap that can make pruning and propagation a sticky, messy, chore!
A final note. Once mature, most of the hoyas listed here will bloom regularly, if not almost constantly. Do not remove flower bracts after blooms fade and drop! Subsequent blooms will be produced from the same bract!
Hoya site