The sheer choice of Hoyas can be a little overwhelming at first, especially if you have not grown Hoya plants before, but you need to start somewhere.
Some Hoya plants are more demanding than others, and will stage a protest when the growing conditions are even slightly off balance, so it’s worth being choosy while you get to grips with the requirements of these plants!
While the majority of Hoyas aren’t complicated, there are a few you should make a beeline for, as they are more forgiving when it comes to less-than-ideal conditions.
Each one on this list has some positives and drawbacks, which we will go through.
Interested in growing your own Hoya plants, but you’re not sure what species to start with? Here are ten different options for you to choose from.
The Best Hoya Plants For Beginners
What You Should Know About Hoyas
First off, it’s worth knowing that Hoyas come from the Apocynaceae plant family, also known as the Dogbane or milkweed plant family.
Hoya plants are non-toxic to pets and humans, which is unusual for plants from this family, as dogbane refers to how some plants were historically used to poison dogs.
Hoyas are also called Wax plants, which tend to be a common name used for all Hoya species.
The majority of Hoya plants come from the balmy tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, and most are epiphytes, growing on trees and other plants rather than in the soil (which would be called a terrestrial plant).
It’s worth knowing that some plants on this list are easier to source than others, depending on where you live.
If you’re desperate for a certain variety, it may be worth doing a cuttings swap with someone in the mail, and this is a cheaper way of getting your dream variety without breaking the bank!
Hoya Australis ‘Lisa’
Hoya australis ‘Lisa’ is a great variegated Hoya. For Hoya plants (especially a variegated Hoya), it grows rapidly, and the flowers are incredibly perfumed, with some people picking out notes of chocolate, vanilla, and other delicious things!
Hoya Carnosa
Some Hoya plants are so resilient that they can become heirloom plants, where they outlive their original owner and are passed down to the next generation!
Hoya carnosa, if given the right care, is one such plant. There are several types of Hoya carnosa to choose from: the classic solid green variety is widely sold, and so are the variegated cultivars.
Hoya carnosa is one of the most forgiving types of Hoya, which is perfect for avoiding a steep learning curve when it comes to caring for these plants (see also Hoya Carnosa Care Guide).
Hoya Compacta ‘Hindu Rope Plant’
Technically a cultivar of Hoya carnosa, Hoya compacta is gorgeous (see also How To Grow Hoya Compacta). It features curled and twisted leaves with an interesting sheen and is bound to make an impression in any room.
There is a drawback to this beautiful plant. As the leaves have a gnarled look, this can make it very difficult to spot pests when they move in, making it difficult to shift infestations, especially the likes of mealybugs.
You can also get Hoya compacta in a variegated form if you prefer. Just remember that variegated Hoya plants need higher light than solid green forms, and because they have less chlorophyll, they do grow slower.
This can be somewhat frustrating, as Hoya plants are pretty slow-growing, to begin with, so if your Hoya plant is taking ages to do anything, but it still looks healthy, there is nothing wrong with it!
Hoya Curtisii
If you prefer smaller trailing plants, and you don’t want a plant that you’ll have to keep trimming to keep it off the floor, Hoya curtisii might be for you.
It features dainty, spade-shaped foliage in a silvery green, and the vines are much more compact than on other Hoyas.
Hoya curtisii has a dense growth habit, which is perfect if you want waterfalls of leaves tumbling over the pot, but it will take a while to get there.
Hoya Kerii ‘Sweetheart Hoya’
You might be familiar with at least part of this plant, as it’s often sold as single heart-shaped leaves. But the entire plant is something to see, with heart-shaped leaves among trailing vines.
When the plant is sold as a single leaf, it’s worth noting that it is unlikely to turn into a full plant, unless there is a node attached to the leaf, which can be rare!
The Sweetheart Hoya is available both in a solid green form and variegated varieties. It’s worth knowing that this plant is one of the slowest-growing Hoyas out there, so it’s worth buying a plant that’s already established.
Hoya Linearis
Hoya linearis produces some of the longest vines on a Hoya, so make sure that you have plenty of space if you choose this species!
This plant features very narrow leaves, covered in a silvery sheen thanks to the tiny white hairs on the foliage.
It grows fairly quickly and will make a great statement in any room.
Hoya Multiflora ‘Shooting Star Hoya’
The Shooting Star Hoya, also known as Hoya multiflora, stands out among the rest. It is a more delicate variety than some on this list, as the leaves are not as succulent, and cannot store water in the same way as other Hoyas.
Ideally, it needs water when the top inch or even half inch of compost dries out. This is a drastically different watering regime to most Hoyas, where you can safely let most if not all the soil dry out in between watering.
What it lacks in drought tolerance it makes up for in looks. This plant is absolutely beautiful! The flowers are the star of the show with this plant, and as the name suggests, resemble shooting stars.
It also blooms profusely. Unlike other Hoyas where you may have to wait a year or two for the plant to mature before it will flower, this plant can even flower when it is a cutting!
But like every plant, it does have a drawback. If you cannot give consistent conditions that do not have dramatic changes, you’ll notice that the buds will fall from the plant before they can open.
Hoya Obovata
By contrast, Hoya obovata will withstand some watering neglect (see also How To Grow Hoya Obovata), thanks to its very succulent leaves that can act as water storage.
But it also has a similar advantage to Hoya multiflora, in that it will bloom much quicker than most Hoyas.
It grows fairly quickly and will flower even as a young plant, so you won’t have to wait a couple of years to see the fantastic blooms!
The disc-shaped leaves often feature pink or white speckles, adding another layer of interest to this plant, especially when it is not in flower.
Hoya Shepherdii ‘String Bean Hoya’
The String Bean Hoya or Hoya shepherdii has much narrower leaves, which make for an interesting focal point in any room (see also How To Care For Hoya Shepherdii).
This plant is perfect for compact spaces, as the vines tumble straight down the outside of the pot, rather than growing in different directions.
The flowers are notably smaller than those produced on other Hoya species, but what they lack in size, they make up for in how often they appear on the plant.
The contrast between the narrow leaves and the soft flowers looks amazing.
Hoya Wayetii
One of the most unusual Hoya species is Hoya wayetii, featuring very thick and pointed leaves. The foliage is bright green and has bordered, darker edges, making a great contrast against the purplish flowers.
Final Thoughts
Hoya plants are absolutely beautiful, and it’s worth taking the time to see which species would be right for you.
It’s worth thinking about exactly what you want from a Hoya plant. Some flower profusely, with much smaller flowers but in greater numbers, and some feature candelabras of flowers that take longer to form.
Some Hoyas dry out faster than others, so if you’re very busy, or you don’t want to spend a lot of time checking the moisture levels in the soil, it’s worth going for a more drought-tolerant species.
If you can, try to match your growing conditions to a Hoya species. This makes it much easier to take care of the plant, as you don’t need to constantly battle to get the plant to adapt to the individual conditions in your home.
