Known as the wax flower, Hoya is a genus of plants native to Asia, Australia and the Pacific islands. Hoya lanceolata ssp. bella (syn. Hoya bella) is a bushy perennial, bearing clusters of sweetly scented white flowers with purple centres. It's ideal for growing in a hanging basket in the greenhouse or conservatory, and needs a minimum temperature of 10°C to thrive.
For best results, grow Hoya bella in containers of compost with added bark, and spray with water regularly to increase humidity. Water freely and feed monthly when in growth. Reduce watering in winter but keep the compost moist.
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Hoya and wildlife
Hoya has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
