Hoya verticillata 'Red leaf' aka 'Spoon leaf' close-up of leaf on white background.

Hoya verticillata 'Red leaf' aka 'Spoon leaf' potted plant in nursery pot on white background.

Apocynaceae

Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

Wax Plant

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Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form) has thick rounded blades with a distinct spoon-like shape. The foliage may develop a red flush.

Read full guide to Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

€36,50

VAT included · plus

Plant size: Pot Ø 6 cmapprox. 15 cm tall

Sizes are approximate. Height is measured from the bottom of the pot to the top of the plant; diameter at the widest point.

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Care at a glance

Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

Light

Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux

Watering

Water when ~60–80% dry

Substrate

Airy + fast-draining • Light moisture buffer • Bark-based • Medium-chunky

Temperature

Ideal: 16–24 °C • Avoid below: 10 °C

Humidity

Elevated 50–60%

Growth habit

Climbing epiphytic perennial vine.

Support

recommended

Growth speed

Average

Cultivated size guide

Trail length: 100 cm • Spread: 50 cm

Toxicity & safety

Non-toxic

Origin & habitat

Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form of Hoya verticillata; species native from the Indian subcontinent to southern China and western and central Malesia

Outdoor growing

Outside from 15 °C · sheltered from wind and rain

How to read these values

These care values give practical guidance for growing the plant. Adjust care for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.

For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.

Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.

Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
Growth speed: expected pace under suitable growing conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.

Cultivated size guide: approximate dimensions for an established plant in the stated growing context. Height is measured upwards from the growing surface; foliage height excludes flower stems. Trailing length follows a stem, while foliage drop is the vertical distance from the crown to the lowest leaf tips. Spread is the width of the leafy plant or crown, not an individual leaf. Flowering height includes the flower stems. A container guide applies to pot-grown plants; an in-ground guide applies to plants rooted in the ground. Size also depends on age, conditions, pot space and training.

These figures do not describe the size supplied and are not fixed upper limits.

Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.

Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

Rounded spoon-shaped leaves form close-set foliage on Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form). The thick green blades can take on red tones as they mature. Flexible stems twine as they lengthen, and greener and redder leaves can appear together on the same plant.

Spoon-shaped leaves that develop red tones

Leaf detail: Rounded, thick, spoon-shaped foliage can develop red tones.
Habit: Low woody branches gradually form a broad plant.

Origin & background

Cultivated form and natural range of Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form) is a cultivated form of Hoya verticillata. The species ranges from the Indian subcontinent through southern China to western and central Malesia.

Plant care

Care for Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

Wind the pliable tips around a firm support before the vine becomes woody. Keep the broad leaves clear of tight ties and sharp hoop bends.

Bright filtered light can deepen the red tones in these spoon-shaped leaves. Increase exposure gradually so the thick rounded leaves colour without scorching.

As stem growth slows in cooler or dimmer conditions, allow a little more drying before watering again and reduce feeding.

Keep the plant near 16–24 °C and away from locations that remain below 10 °C. Keep humidity close to the 50–60% range. Aim for even indoor temperatures on the warm side without abrupt heat or cold around the thick spoon-shaped leaves. Household humidity is usually adequate when air can circulate through the woody growth.

Let a substantial part of the root ball dry before soaking it thoroughly. The spoon-shaped leaves store moisture, making the root ball and pot weight the reliable watering guides.

Coarse bark and mineral particles provide fast drainage, with a little finer material for even wetting. Feed moderately while stems and roots are active, and keep established flower spurs.

If the potting mix becomes compacted or drains more slowly, replace it with fresh airy mix. Move Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form) to a slightly larger pot when its roots have filled the container.

For propagation, take a healthy node-bearing cutting from the plant and keep it warm until roots are established.

Issues & solutions

Fading red leaves, corky marks and stem cracks in Hoya verticillata Red Leaf

Several successive new leaves lose their usual red margins: First let each leaf mature, because some colour change with age is normal. If the newest leaves consistently emerge less coloured, check the current light level and introduce brighter filtered light gradually. Keep the foliage away from hot direct sun.
Corky marks appear on thick rounded blades: A cool, wet root ball followed by rapid water uptake may contribute to corky marks consistent with oedema, but the appearance alone does not confirm the cause. Steadier temperature and watering should allow the next leaf to open firm and evenly shaped.
A woody stem cracks around the hoop: Older growth loses the flexibility needed for a tight turn. Brace the damaged section and train only the next soft tip around a wider support.

Safety

Safety information for Hoya verticillata (Red Leaf / Spoon Leaf form)

ASPCA lists Hoya carnosa as non-toxic to cats and dogs; it has not separately tested this Hoya species or trade form. Sap from cut or damaged stems may irritate skin or eyes. Avoid direct contact and rinse off any sap.
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.

Names & etymology

What does Hoya verticillata mean, and who first published it?

Hoya honours the English gardener Thomas Hoy. Verticillata means whorled.

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

Martin Vahl first described it as Sperlingia verticillata in 1810 in Skrifter af Naturhistorie-Selskabet, volume 6, page 113. George Don later placed it in Hoya as Hoya verticillata in 1837 in A General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants, volume 4, page 128.

Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.