Hoya curtisii

Botanical identity and natural origin of Hoya curtisii

Hoya curtisii comes from Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and the Philippines.

A simple care guide for Hoya curtisii

Let Hoya curtisii spread over a surface or trail from its pot. Choose a warm position at about 18–24°C with bright indirect light, sheltered from hot sun. Aim for 40–60% relative humidity with gentle air movement.

Use chunky mix in a pot with drainage holes. Water when the pot is lighter and the deeper mix is lightly moist, soaking the roots before draining it. When growth slows, allow the mix to become fairly dry between waterings without leaving the root ball completely dry.

Give a light balanced orchid feed about every two weeks during new growth, according to the label. Pause when growth stops and occasionally flush with plain water. When roots fill the pot, move the plant into the next size. Before feeding again, check whether the fresh mix contains fertiliser and follow its guidance.

For propagation, take a healthy one- or two-node stem cutting with a clean blade, wearing gloves because the sap can irritate skin. Remove lower leaves and root a node in lightly moist, loosely packed sphagnum in a pot with drainage holes. Keep the remaining leaves above the moss. Place the cutting somewhere warm with indirect light and humid air. Ventilate any cover and hold it off the leaves; pot into airy mix once rooted.

Understanding common problems with Hoya curtisii

• Cottony insects among the closely spaced stems: Inspect between the tiny leaves before choosing treatment. Check beneath the wax for mealybugs. If you find them, isolate the plant and remove visible insects with a damp swab or tweezers. Inspect leaf undersides, stems, pot and support weekly, removing any mealybugs you find until no insects remain. If mealybugs persist, choose a product labelled for them on indoor ornamental plants. Where the label allows, test it on a small area first. Follow its directions for how much to use, how to apply it and when to repeat treatment, including all safety precautions.
• Small 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.
• Yellowing or soft growth in 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.

Hoya curtisii 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 curtisii: name and meaning

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Hoya curtisii honours plant collector Charles Curtis.

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

George King and James Sykes Gamble first described Hoya curtisii in 1908 in Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, Part 2, Natural History, volume 74, page 563.