Hoya lacunosa ‘Mint’

Cultivated form and natural range of Hoya lacunosa ‘Mint’

‘Mint’ is a cultivated pale-foliage form of Hoya lacunosa. The species is a fine-stemmed epiphyte native from southern Myanmar through western and central Malesia.

Care for Hoya lacunosa ‘Mint’

• Support: The closely branching stems suit a hanging pot; allow roughly 100 cm of clear trailing space as they lengthen.
• Placement: Keep the trailing plant close to a bright window with the strongest midday rays filtered. Leave space between the soft leaves and warm glass.
• Temperature: The plant grows comfortably at 16–24 °C and should not remain below 10 °C for long. Keep both the pot and foliage in consistently warm indoor conditions. A small wet root ball chills quickly and may stop producing new tips.
• Humidity: Aim for 60–80% humidity with gentle airflow around the leaves.
• Watering and potting mix: When the upper part of the mix has dried somewhat and the pot feels lighter, water slowly until water drains from the pot so the fine roots in the centre also receive water. Wet the whole root ball thoroughly and avoid frequent small amounts.
• Feeding: While new growth is developing, apply houseplant fertiliser at a light rate; feed less once growth pauses.
• Growth rhythm: When cooler or lower-light conditions slow stem growth, water less often as the same drying cue takes longer to reach, and reduce feeding.
• Repotting: Move up one pot size once the root ball is crowded, securing the support again as the plant is repotted.
• Propagation: For propagation, use a healthy stem section from the plant with at least one node and provide warmth while it roots.

Common issues with Hoya lacunosa ‘Mint’

• One side wilts while the opposite side stays wet: The mix has compacted unevenly, with a dense centre and loose outer edge. Repot into an evenly textured open blend in a container close to the root mass. At repotting, remove black, hollow or decayed roots from the fine root system until only firm tissue remains.
• A dark rub mark appears on the pale mint surface: The expanding leaf scraped against a support or neighbouring container. Leave a dry, firm scuff in place. Move clips and nearby pots away from the growing tip, and remove the leaf only if the mark turns soft or wet.
• Black specks collect around distorted tips: Thrips are hidden in the soft new blade. Quarantine the plant and wash both leaf surfaces before cutting away severely damaged tips. After testing one leaf, cover the foliage with insecticidal soap according to its label and add a blue sticky card.
• Mint leaves bleach to a papery white: The pale surface has received too much direct sun. Move it farther back from hot glass while keeping the foliage in bright indirect light. The papery area is permanent. A firm leaf can remain; remove it only if the damage becomes soft or spreads.

Hoya lacunosa ‘Mint’ 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 lacunosa mean, and who first published it?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Lacunosa means pitted or furrowed and refers to the flower structure.

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

Carl Ludwig Blume first described Hoya lacunosa in 1827 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 1063.