Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' (albomarginata)

Caring for Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' at home

Keep ‘Krimson Queen’ in a bright position with indirect light, protected from hot sun. Give the stems a trellis or hoop, or room to hang. Growing conditions around 18–27°C and 40–60% relative humidity are suitable, with ventilation and temperatures above about 13°C.

Use chunky mix in a pot with drainage holes. Once the pot is light and the mix is nearly dry throughout, water the whole root ball and drain it. A skewer can help check for moisture deeper in the pot. The mix will dry more slowly when light levels fall or growth slows.

Feed lightly with balanced orchid fertiliser, preferably urea-free, about every two weeks during growth, following the label. Pause when growth stops; flush with plain water every few months. Increase pot size only for roots that need space. Refresh degraded mix in the same-sized pot if the roots still fit. Check the new compost’s label for added fertiliser and feeding instructions.

Root a one- or two-node cutting in lightly moist propagation mix, with the lower leaves removed. Wear gloves and cut with a clean blade; the sap can irritate skin. Keep warm in indirect light with humid air and ventilation, holding any cover off the leaves. Move to a small pot once rooted.

Common signs that Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' is unhealthy

• New bleached or crisp patches facing the light: The leaves’ cream margins are normal; dry, crisp patches are damage. 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.
• Fleshy leaves soften while the mix 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.
• Wilting with persistently wet mix: Persistent wetness can damage roots. Drain trapped water and inspect roots if decline continues. If you find a small amount of root rot, use a clean, disinfected tool to cut the soft roots back to firm, healthy tissue. Throw away the rotten roots and old mix. Repot in fresh, airy mix, using a clean pot just large enough for the roots that remain. The pot must have drainage holes. If decay is widespread, save only healthy stem cuttings. Discard the plant if no healthy stems remain, and disinfect your tools afterwards.
• Fine speckling (stippling) and webbing under the leaves: Inspect damaged leaf undersides with magnification; 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.
• Cottony insects at the nodes: Confirm mealybugs beneath the wax and isolate the plant. Remove visible insects with a damp swab or tweezers. Inspect sheltered leaf joints, stems, the pot and any support weekly, removing any mealybugs you find until none remain. If mealybugs persist, use a product approved for home use against mealybugs on indoor ornamental plants in your country. Follow the label for how much to use, where to apply it, when to repeat treatment and all safety precautions.

Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’ (albomarginata) 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.

Why is it called Hoya carnosa?

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.