Hoya imbricata

Hoya imbricata

A truly unusual and fascinating climbing Hoya, Hoya imbricata is best known for its remarkable leaves, which naturally grow pressed tightly against tree trunks and other surfaces.

As the plant climbs, its broad rounded leaves can flatten against the surface beneath them, creating sheltered spaces between the leaf and bark. In the wild these spaces are often associated with ants, making this one of the more unusual Hoyas both botanically and visually.

Given a rough piece of cork, wood or a moss-covered support to climb, the plant can develop its characteristic overlapping, shingled growth and become an incredible living display.

Care

Light: Bright filtered light. Avoid harsh direct midday sun.

Temperature: Warm growing. Ideally around 18–28°C. This is a tropical species and should be protected from prolonged cool conditions.

Water: Water regularly during active growth, allowing the roots and mounting surface to begin drying between waterings. Avoid keeping the roots constantly saturated.

Humidity: Appreciates high humidity, ideally around 70–90%, particularly when grown mounted.

Airflow: Good gentle airflow is important when maintaining high humidity.

Feeding: Feed lightly and regularly during active growth with a dilute balanced fertiliser.

Growing: Best given a vertical cork, bark or natural wood surface to climb. The stems naturally seek out surfaces and the leaves can eventually flatten against them, creating the distinctive imbricate or “shingling” habit.

🌿 One of the most unusual Hoyas — a tropical climbing species whose leaves hug the surface beneath them, creating a beautifully wild, almost architectural living display