Hoya carnosa

The sweetest nectar

Native to East Asia, Hoya carnosa is also called the porcelain flower, or wax plant due to its thick, succulent flowers and waxy leaves. The plant is most prized for its fragrant flower balls, made up of the tiny flower clusters it produces, even indoors. The plant’s flowers are edible and as I did my research I learned that licking the flowers to taste the nectar is apparently a common thing for Hoya owners. The plant itself produces latex, so don’t eat the plant. Additionally, not all species are edible so make sure you know what you have.

Hoya nectar from various species is often an ingredient in perfumes and is reported to smell like anything from vanilla or chocolate to cinnamon or berries. Research has determined that at midnight the flowers produce more nectar, and that extra nectar is more fragrant. This is likely because moths are the most common pollinators of Hoyas. And of course, moths are nocturnal.

Studies have also shown that Hoya carnosa extracts are good for the skin and have antiseptic and analgesic properties.

The interwebs seem split on whether or not Hoya carnosa is semi-parasitic, or just an epiphyte. An epiphyte is a plant that lives on another plant, but doesn’t take any nutrients or water from that plant, many orchids fit this category, as well as bromeliads like air plants and Spanish moss. A parasitic plant does tap into its host plant’s resources. It gets these resources either from the host plant’s roots, or from its limbs. A few resources said that Hoya carnosa taps into its host if necessary, others said not at all. So I don’t know, but I do have two Hoyas in pots that seem to be fine without feeding on other plants.

Speaking of my Hoyas, I love them, they are two of the most beautiful and easy to care for plants in my collection. I have two Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queens,’ both grown from cuttings. Neither one has flowered yet, but I keep my fingers crossed every spring.

Don’t worry, I’ll let you know how they taste.

Hoya Carnosa 'Krimson Queen'

---

So that’s it! This month’s plant will serve as inspiration for the paid posts in my 100% Plant-Based Horror sections. Here’s the breakdown, in case you’re new and/or curious.

First week of the month - The Lab (that’s this post!) - Free for everyone

Second week of the month - The Witch Lab (a short, spooky piece from a plant witch’s journal detailing one of her experiences helping (I use the term loosely) a client with the featured plant of the month) - Paid subscribers only, here’s a freebie you can read to check it out!

Third week of the month - The Spell Book (an entry from The Witch’s spell book detailing how she uses this plant for her dark magic including spells, chants, recipes, instructions, and more). Paid subscribers only, here’s a freebie you can read to check it out!

Fourth week of the month - 100% Plant-Based Horror story featuring the month’s plant. These are longer stories that include everything from ghosts, to parasites, aliens, experimental supplements, and more! - Paid subscribers only, here’s a freebie you can read to check it out!