Hoya finlaysonii (Sukhirin)

Caring for the silver-speckled climber

Place the plant in bright indirect light at about 18–24°C, with 40–60% relative humidity and gentle airflow. Shelter the leaves from hot sun and guide the stems onto a trellis.

Use chunky mix in a pot with drainage holes. During growth, water when the pot is lighter and the deeper mix is only lightly moist, then soak and drain fully. As growth slows, allow it to become fairly dry before watering, without drying the whole root ball.

Feed lightly with balanced orchid fertiliser about every two weeks during new growth, following the label. Pause when growth stops and occasionally flush with plain water. When roots fill the container, move up just one pot size. Before adding feed, check whether the fresh mix contains fertiliser and follow its guidance.

Root a healthy one- or two-node stem cutting in lightly moist sphagnum. Wear gloves because the sap can irritate skin. With a clean blade, remove lower leaves and place a node in loosely packed moss in a pot with drainage holes. Keep the remaining leaves above the moss. Place the cutting somewhere warm with indirect light and humid air. Any cover should stay ventilated and off the foliage. Pot into airy mix once rooted.

Changes in the veined and silver-marked foliage

• Leaves lose firmness 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.
• New crisp or bleached patches facing the light: Silver markings and dark veins are normal; look for new dry or bleached 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.
• Soft, yellowing growth 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.
• Cottony insects at the leaf joints: 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 finlaysonii (Sukhirin) 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 finlaysonii?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Hoya finlaysonii honours Scottish naturalist George Finlayson.

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

Robert Wight first described Hoya finlaysonii in 1834 in Contributions to the Botany of India, page 38.