Hoya 'Mathilde'

Porcelain pink to white, fuzzy flowers with a sweet perfume. It is quite a free flowering variety that is more compact than the species. It is a cross of H. carnosa and H. serpens, it has a strong constitution, is very forgiving and a good bloomer. It is an excellent choice for beginners.

Glossy dark green, silver sprinkled, leathery leaves. Each leaf grows to around 2cm, on moderate, to slow growing, long stems.

Hoyas are ideal indoor pot or patio plants. The foliage will need a support to climb up or you could choose a hanging basket and let the leafy stems fall. Hoyas are low maintenance and require no pruning. They grow best in a bright light position such as by a sunny window.

They may take a year or two to really flower and they are at their best when they are pot bound. It is best to avoid touching the new stems as they are sensitive and it may delay flowering.

SIZE (HxW): 60-120cm x 20-60cm

I SEE THE LIGHT: Bright, indirect light is ideal. You should be able to read during the day in their position in the room without turning on a light. Keep out of the hot afternoon sun lest their leaves be sunburned or roots damaged.

I NEED A DRINK: Water deeply, then allow the top 3cm of the soil to dry out between waterings. You are more likely to kill them with kindness, they will quickly rot if left to sit in water so you are better to under than over do it.

This Hoya likes humidity and will thrive with it, but will do just fine without it. If your leaftips turn brown add a pebble dish filled with water below and give them a spritz.

I WILL SURVIVE: These plants are so easy, they pretty much look after themselves. In pots ensure you choose good quality orchid mix, for best results as it offers the sharp drainage they need. Choose a pot with drainage holes to ensure they don’t end up sitting in water.

Use a diluted, liquid fertiliser in spring and summer to keep them happy and healthy. Using a fertiliser high in Potash is ideal, you can spray some on the leaves to promote flowering. Don’t cut the tendrils, both the leaves and the flowers will grow from these. In fact, the flower will usually grow at the same spot as the previous year’s bloom.

They are happiest pot bound, you will only need to upgrade them after three or four years. When they are moved they are unlikely to flower for a year as they adjust to their new surroundings.

Regularly cleaning the leaves will keep them looking and feeling good.