Hoya caudata ‘Gold’

Origin of Hoya caudata ‘Gold’

Hoya caudata ‘Gold’ is a cultivated form of Hoya caudata, although its exact horticultural origin is still unclear.

Hoya caudata occurs naturally from southern Thailand to western Malesia.

A simple care guide for Hoya caudata ‘Gold’

Give ‘Gold’ a trellis or hoop for its vines, or let them hang. Choose bright indirect light at about 16–24 °C, with 60–80% humidity and gentle airflow. Protect it from hot sun and temperatures below 10 °C.

Root a one- or two-node cutting in lightly moist propagation mix, removing the lower leaves and keeping the remaining leaves above the mix. Use a clean blade when taking cuttings. Give warmth, indirect light and humid air with airflow; keep any cover off the foliage. Move to a small pot of airy mix once rooted.

Feed with balanced orchid fertiliser about every two weeks during new growth, at moderate strength, and pause when growth stops. Choose the next pot size when the root ball has filled its present pot. Replace potting mix that has broken down in a container that fits the roots.

Keep the chunky mix lightly moist. Water when the pot feels lighter and the deeper mix is only slightly damp, then wet the whole root ball and let excess water drain through the pot’s holes. When growth slows, the mix stays moist for longer; keep checking it so the roots do not dry out completely.

Understanding common problems with Hoya caudata ‘Gold’

• Mature leaves lose firmness or begin to shrivel: Young leaves are naturally soft and become firm as they mature. Rough surfaces and wavy edges are normal. 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 fine speckling (stippling) with webbing: Silver patches are part of the normal leaf pattern. 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 nodes or beneath leaves: 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 caudata ‘Gold’ 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.

Hoya caudata: where the name comes from

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Caudata is Latin for tailed and describes the drawn-out leaf point.

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

Joseph Dalton Hooker first described Hoya caudata in 1883 in The Flora of British India, volume 4, page 60.