Hoya carnosa Krimson Queen

Krimson Queen Hoya (Hoya carnosa 'Krimson Queen') is the wax plant grown for its leaves as much as its flowers. Thick waxy leaves are edged in cream, new growth flushes pink, and the twining stems trail or train to about 2m. Mature plants carry clusters of star shaped pink and white flowers with a strong evening scent, and it is not toxic to cats or dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Variegation you cannot fake. Cream margins and pink new growth give three colours on one stem, without any flowering required.
• It forgives neglect. The succulent leaves store water, so a missed fortnight does no harm. Overwatering is the only real way to kill it.
• Scented flowers. Clusters of waxy pink and white stars appear on established plants, scented strongest in the evening.
• Safe around pets. Hoyas are not toxic to cats or dogs, which is unusual among trailing indoor plants.

Where it works best

Indoors. A bright spot near a window, out of direct midday sun. Trailing from a shelf or hanging pot suits it, and indoors your climate stops mattering.

Pots and containers. It flowers better slightly root bound, so keep it in a snug pot and repot only every three or four years. Drainage holes are not optional.

Balconies and courtyards. Outdoors it needs a sheltered frost free position, and cooler gardens should bring it under cover for winter.

Growing Krimson Queen Hoya in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light gives the strongest variegation and the best chance of flowering. Deep shade turns growth leggy and green. Outdoors it suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens only, since it is frost tender.

Soil. A chunky, free draining mix of orchid bark, perlite and a little potting mix. Hoyas are epiphytes, so their roots want air as much as moisture.

Water and feed. Soak thoroughly, tip out the saucer, then let the mix dry most of the way through before the next drink: roughly every one to two weeks in warm months, less in winter. Half strength liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer is plenty.

Pruning. Trim only to shape or control length. Never cut off the bare flower spurs left after blooming, because next season's flowers come from those same spurs.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in 125mm pots in packs of ten and 180mm pots in packs of six. The 125mm plants are young, with a few trailing stems, and fill a hanging pot within a season or two. The 180mm size is ready to train onto a hoop straight away.

Hoyas travel better than almost any indoor plant because the leaves hold their own moisture. Give yours a week in bright indirect light before the first water. Growth is slower than a plain green hoya, and flowering usually starts at two or three years old. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive covers the light and watering mistakes behind most failures.
• Browse the wider indoor plant range.
• See more pet friendly indoor plants.
• How to repot a plant properly.

Common questions

Why is mine not flowering?

Usually age, light or repotting. Give it bright indirect light, leave it slightly root bound, and check you have not cut off the old flower spurs, the most common reason a healthy hoya stops blooming.

How often should I water it?

Every one to two weeks in the warm months, less in winter, and only once the mix has dried most of the way through. Yellowing lower leaves mean too much water.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes, hoyas are not toxic to either. That makes this one of the few trailing plants you can hang low in a room with a curious pet.

Can I grow it outside?

Only in a frost free spot with shelter and bright indirect light: tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. Anywhere colder, treat it as an indoor plant.