Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' (albomarginata)

Origin of Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' (albomarginata)

Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' (albomarginata) is grown as a form of Hoya carnosa. The selection and introduction history of this line remains unclear.

The species occurs naturally from southern China to Laos and southern Japan to Taiwan.

Caring for Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen' (albomarginata)

• Light and placement: Keep ‘Krimson Queen’ in bright indirect light, protected from hot direct sun. Let the stems trail or guide them around a hoop or trellis.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant around 16–24 °C and avoid prolonged temperatures below 10 °C. Aim for 50–60% humidity with gentle airflow.
• Watering: Use the pot’s weight and moisture deeper in the chunky mix as cues. Water once the mix is nearly dry throughout, soak the full root ball and let all excess drain; allow more time between waterings when growth slows.
• Feeding: Use balanced orchid fertiliser, preferably urea-free, about every two weeks during growth, at a modest dose.
• Repotting: Increase pot size only when the roots need more room. If the mix has broken down first, replace it without automatically moving to a larger pot.
• Propagation: Root a one- or two-node cutting in lightly moist propagation mix, with the lower leaves removed. Cut with a clean cutting tool. Keep warm in indirect light with humid air and airflow, 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.