Hoya curtisii ‘Silver’

Origin of Hoya curtisii ‘Silver’

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

Hoya curtisii occurs naturally from Thailand to the Philippines.

Caring for Hoya curtisii ‘Silver’ at home

• Temperature: Provide about 16–24 °C during routine growth and avoid keeping the plant below 10 °C for long.
• Give the spreading stems room at the pot’s edge or over a surface. Bright indirect light suits indoor growth; protect the small leaves from hot sun. Aim for 60–80% humidity or higher, with gentle air movement around the foliage.
• Use an airy, chunky mix. Check the pot’s weight and moisture deeper in the mix. Water when the pot is lighter and the mix remains lightly moist, then drain thoroughly. When growth slows, let the mix become fairly dry between waterings while retaining some moisture in the root ball.
• Use balanced orchid fertiliser about every two weeks during new growth, at a modest dose. Move up one pot size when roots fill the container.
• Propagate from a healthy one- or two-node stem cutting in a lightly moist, airy medium. Keep it warm in indirect light until it is established.

Common signs that Hoya curtisii ‘Silver’ is unhealthy

• Soft, yellowing growth while the mix stays wet: 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.
• Small leaves become limp in a dry pot: 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 bleached or crisp patches: Healthy leaves have silver markings and feel firm. 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.
• Cottony insects among the small leaf joints: 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.

Hoya curtisii ‘Silver’ 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.

When was Hoya curtisii first published, and what does it mean?

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.