Hoya carnosa ‘Flamingo Dream’

Origin and background of Hoya carnosa ‘Flamingo Dream’

‘Flamingo Dream’ is a variegated selection whose pale new leaves can flush pink. Hoya carnosa is native from southern China and Laos through southern Japan and Taiwan.

Care for waxy-leaved epiphytes

• Feeding: During extension of a variegated runner, apply a dilute complete feed after watering. Pause if the tip rests or the root zone remains damp.
• Light and colour: Keep the growing tip in bright filtered light. The cream margins mark easily against hot glass, while the green centre needs enough light to support the pale tissue.
• Water and roots: Allow the upper mix to dry before soaking and draining the root zone. Let the upper mix dry normally; constant moisture does not accelerate pale growth.

Common issues with Hoya carnosa ‘Flamingo Dream’

• The next leaves become too pale to support strong growth: Variegation can shift from node to node and will remain fixed on an established leaf. Do not remove a single unusual leaf. Wait for the next node, then prune only a runner that continues without a workable balance of green tissue.
• Pink new growth fades into bleached patches: A sudden increase in direct light exceeded the leaf’s current tolerance. Move it away from the heated window surface while retaining the damaged leaf. Add direct morning light in small increments after the next leaf firms up.
• The support leaves a permanent crease in an expanding centre-variegated leaf: The soft runner was turned through too tight a curve. Adjust the support before the following leaf begins to open. Keep firm cosmetic damage in place. A crease does not require pruning. Cut back only a split, soft or blackened stem.
• Cream margins turn crisp beside a radiator or hot vent: Dry heated air is dehydrating the thin pale tissue before the green centre begins to wilt or brown. Remove the vine from the warm draught. Once the upper mix has dried, soak the root ball evenly and let excess water drain. Keep firm leaves attached and protect the next soft leaf from direct warm airflow.

Hoya carnosa ‘Flamingo Dream’ 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.