The Story
Common name: Hoya ‘Tricolour’ (Wax Plant)
Latin name: Hoya carnosa ‘Tricolour’ (also sold as ‘Krimson Queen’)
Best position in the home: Prefers bright, indirect light, with some gentle direct sun helping to enhance its variegation and encourage flowering. A bright windowsill or shelf is ideal. Avoid low light, as this can reduce colour and slow growth.
Water requirements: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Hoyas are semi-succulent and store water in their leaves, so they prefer to be slightly underwatered rather than overwatered. Water less frequently in winter. Happy in average humidity but will benefit from slightly higher levels.
Home impact: With its pink, cream, and green variegated leaves, this plant adds soft colour and interest to shelves or hanging displays. Mature plants may produce clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Generally considered mildly toxic, so best kept out of reach of pets.
Potential height at full growth: Trailing stems can reach 1–2 metres indoors over time, depending on conditions.
How to look after it: Place in bright light and use a well-draining compost, such as a mix with added perlite or bark. Water only when the soil has dried out. Feed monthly during spring and summer. Hoyas prefer to be slightly rootbound, so repot infrequently. Avoid removing old flower spurs, as new blooms often grow from the same spot.
Beginner friendliness 4/5
Easy Going! A low-maintenance and rewarding plant that’s quite forgiving, especially for those who tend to underwater rather than overwater. With good light, it will thrive and may even flower.
Hoyas are slow to establish but can become long-lived and impressive trailing plants. Leaf colour may vary depending on light levels, with stronger pink tones appearing in brighter conditions.
Description
Common name: Hoya ‘Tricolour’ (Wax Plant)
Latin name: Hoya carnosa ‘Tricolour’ (also sold as ‘Krimson Queen’)
Best position in the home: Prefers bright, indirect light, with some gentle direct sun helping to enhance its variegation and encourage flowering. A bright windowsill or shelf is ideal. Avoid low light, as this can reduce colour and slow growth.
Water requirements: Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Hoyas are semi-succulent and store water in their leaves, so they prefer to be slightly underwatered rather than overwatered. Water less frequently in winter. Happy in average humidity but will benefit from slightly higher levels.
Home impact: With its pink, cream, and green variegated leaves, this plant adds soft colour and interest to shelves or hanging displays. Mature plants may produce clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Generally considered mildly toxic, so best kept out of reach of pets.
Potential height at full growth: Trailing stems can reach 1–2 metres indoors over time, depending on conditions.
How to look after it: Place in bright light and use a well-draining compost, such as a mix with added perlite or bark. Water only when the soil has dried out. Feed monthly during spring and summer. Hoyas prefer to be slightly rootbound, so repot infrequently. Avoid removing old flower spurs, as new blooms often grow from the same spot.
Beginner friendliness 4/5
Easy Going! A low-maintenance and rewarding plant that’s quite forgiving, especially for those who tend to underwater rather than overwater. With good light, it will thrive and may even flower.
Hoyas are slow to establish but can become long-lived and impressive trailing plants. Leaf colour may vary depending on light levels, with stronger pink tones appearing in brighter conditions.
