Hoya carnosa AH-074 ‘Silver Moon’

Origin of Hoya carnosa AH-074 ‘Silver Moon’

AH-074 ‘Silver Moon’ is a cultivation designation used with Hoya carnosa. The history attached to this cultivated line is still uncertain.

The species has a natural range from southern China to Laos and southern Japan to Taiwan.

Care for Hoya carnosa AH-074 ‘Silver Moon’

Keep ‘Silver Moon’ in bright indirect light, protected from hot direct sun. Give the stems room to hang or a hoop to climb.

Aim for 16–24 °C and 50–60% humidity with gentle airflow. Avoid temperatures below 10 °C.

Water after the chunky mix becomes nearly dry throughout and the pot feels light. Check moisture deeper in the mix with a skewer where needed, then soak the whole root ball and drain. The mix dries more slowly when light decreases or growth slows.

Apply a light balanced orchid feed about every two weeks during new growth.

When roots fill the pot, move the plant into the next pot size. If the mix degrades while the roots still fit the container, refresh it in a pot that remains close to the root-ball size.

Choose a vigorous stem section with a node for propagation. Root the lower, leafless node in lightly moist propagation mix, keeping the other leaves above it. Keep it warm in bright indirect light while it roots; humid air can help during rooting. Once roots develop, pot it into an airy mix.

What to do when Hoya carnosa AH-074 ‘Silver Moon’ has problems

• New fine speckling (stippling) with webbing: Silver markings are normal on these leaves. Use magnification to inspect the undersides of leaves with new damage; tapping a leaf over white paper can help locate mites. Confirm spider mites before treatment. Isolate the plant, gently rinse both leaf surfaces and let water drain. Recheck every few days and repeat rinsing while live mites remain.
• Leaves lose firmness while the pot is dry: Check whether the mix around the roots is dry. If the root ball is dry, water thoroughly and drain. If the leaves still wilt after watering, inspect the roots. Avoid repeated watering while the roots are still wet.
• New dry, bleached patches facing the light: Hot sun or a sudden increase in light can scorch leaves. Move the plant into bright, filtered light. If you later move it to a brighter position, introduce the stronger light gradually. Existing dry patches will not recover; retain healthy foliage.

Hoya carnosa AH-074 ‘Silver Moon’ is non-toxic to people and pets

• This plant is non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
• Chewing a large amount can still cause an upset stomach.
• If a large amount is eaten and symptoms continue, contact a veterinarian or medical professional.

What does Hoya carnosa mean, and who first published it?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. The Latin epithet carnosa means fleshy and refers to the thick leaves.

Robert Brown established the genus Hoya in 1810 in Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, page 459.

Carl Linnaeus the Younger first described it as Asclepias carnosa in 1782 in Supplementum Plantarum, page 170. Robert Brown later placed it in Hoya as Hoya carnosa in 1810 in Asclepiadeae, page 16.