Hoya New Guinea Ghost
Hoya nicholsoniae 'New Guinea Ghost'

A cultivar of Hoya nicholsoniae native to New Guinea and nearby regions, grown for its elongated, lanceolate, slightly waxy leaves carrying a pale silvery-blue to silver-grey coloration that gives the plant an ethereal, frosted quality. Under stronger light the leaves sun-stress into pastel pink, lavender, and maroon tones with green venation contrasting against the stressed surface. A fast-growing climbing and trailing Hoya that produces small umbels of fragrant flowers when mature. Never remove the peduncles after flowering — new blooms develop from the same spurs.

• Light: Bright indirect light is the sweet spot — sufficient for the silvery foliage and to encourage pink and lavender sun-stress without scorching the pale leaves. Gentle morning sun acceptable.

• Soil: Very open, well-draining epiphytic mix of orchid bark and perlite; drainage is paramount. Never dense or waterlogged.

• Temperature/Humidity: Warm temperatures between 60-80°F; tolerates average household humidity well, though moderate humidity benefits growth.

• Watering: Allow the substrate to nearly dry out between waterings; never allow roots to sit in standing water. The waxy leaves store moisture well.

• Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every 4-6 weeks during active growth; reduce in winter.