Something happens to plant people around this time of year. The light stays long, growth kicks into high gear, and suddenly one more plant feels like the start of a real collection. If you have been curious about hoyas and wondering where to begin, this is the guide you have been looking for. We have put together a wish list of seven varieties, organized from the easiest to own and grow to the ones serious collectors seek out and save for. Pick one, start at the top, or go all in. Either way, summer is when hoyas reward you most.
Why Hoyas Are Worth Collecting
The hoya genus has more than 500 known species, but the ones that end up on collector lists share a few things in common. Thick, waxy leaves that store water and handle mild neglect. Bright indirect light preferences that match most home interiors. And the ability to produce famously fragrant star-shaped flower clusters that smell like vanilla or honey. These are also long-lived plants. A well-grown hoya can thrive in the same pot for years and produce cuttings that become gifts for friends.
Summer accelerates everything. Hoyas push their fastest growth in warm conditions with long days, which means plants you order now will arrive ready to grow immediately. You will see new vines extending, fresh leaves unfurling, and in some cases, peduncles forming on mature plants. Peduncles are the small spurs that hold flower clusters, and once they appear you never cut them because the same spur blooms again the following season.
If you are newer to the genus, our complete Hoya Rope Plant care guide covers the fundamentals that apply across most hoya varieties: light requirements, watering cadence, humidity preferences, and what potting mix works best. Worth reading before your first order arrives.
Your Hoya Wish List: Seven Varieties from Easiest to Rarest
Every plant below is available to ship now from our full hoya collection. The list runs from the most beginner-friendly choice at the top to the most sought-after at the bottom. Build your order from any point on the list, or work through all seven over time.
1. Hoya Carnosa
The original wax plant, and the one that started the modern hoya obsession. Thick, glossy leaves, a tolerance for lower light conditions that most hoyas cannot match, and clusters of waxy white flowers that smell like vanilla on mature plants. If you own zero hoyas, this is where you start.
Starts at $19.99. Shop Hoya Carnosa →
2. Hoya Australis
An Australian native with larger, rounder leaves and a faster growth rate than most of its relatives. It tolerates lower light better than almost anything else in the genus and blooms on younger plants. A great second hoya if you want variety without adding any complexity to your care routine.
Starts at $21.99. Shop Hoya Australis →
3. Hoya Publicalyx
Ask experienced hoya growers which variety they recommend most to new collectors, and the Publicalyx comes up consistently. It grows fast, trails long, and is generous with its blooms. The deep pink to purple flower clusters are among the most striking in the genus, and it earns them without much fuss.
Starts at $19.99. Shop Hoya Publicalyx →
4. Hoya Carnosa Krimson Queen
The variegated version of the classic, with cream, pink, and green leaves that look painted rather than grown. It grows a little more slowly than the solid green carnosa, which makes each new leaf feel like a genuine event. Our single best-selling hoya variety, available in three sizes.
From $14.99 in 3", 4", and 6" sizes. Shop Hoya Carnosa Krimson Queen →
5. Hoya Rope Plant
Also called Hindu Rope, this hoya grows tightly curled and twisted leaves that cascade down in dense sculptural columns. It is slow by hoya standards, which means every inch of new growth feels earned. Hang it in a bright window and give it years to develop. One of the most visually distinctive plants you can own.
From $12.99. Shop Hoya Rope Plant →
6. Hoya Sweetheart
A single heart-shaped leaf rooted in its own small pot. Yes, it is exactly what it looks like. Over time it puts out long trailing vines and eventually blooms. A genuinely charming gift, and as it matures over the years, a real statement plant. One of the few hoyas that works as an entry point for people who have never kept a plant before.
From $11.99. Shop Hoya Sweetheart →
7. Hoya Rope Plant Variegated Rare
The rare version of the Hindu Rope, with cream variegation woven through the already twisted and curling leaves. Slower growing and harder to find than the standard Rope, it earns its place at the top of any serious wish list. If you are building toward a standout collection, this one is the finish line.
$27.99. Shop Hoya Rope Plant Variegated Rare →
How to Order and What to Expect
Every hoya we ship travels greenhouse-direct to your door. There is no warehouse stop, no prolonged cold storage, and no weeks sitting in a truck. Plants arrive well-hydrated and in active growth. When your box arrives, open it within 24 hours, give your plants a good look, and find them a spot with bright indirect light for the first week while they adjust to your home's specific conditions.
A few notes for the first month. Water thoroughly once the top inch of soil feels dry, not on a fixed schedule. Hoyas prefer to dry out a bit between waterings, and they are considerably more forgiving of underwatering than overwatering. Keep them away from heating and air conditioning vents, which strip moisture from the air faster than hoyas like. If you already have a spot that receives four or more hours of bright indirect light daily, that is exactly where your new plant wants to live.
Every order is backed by our 30-Day Guarantee. If anything arrives damaged or declines within the first month, reach out and we will make it right. No forms to fill out, no hoops to jump through.
Free shipping applies to orders of $149 or more. Ordering three or four varieties from this list to fill multiple spots in your home, or to give as gifts, gets you there comfortably. Not sure how to build your order? Use this wish list as your guide: start at number one and work down toward the rarer end as your confidence grows.
New to buying plants online? Our guide to ordering plants online walks through the full process from checkout to unboxing. And if you want help matching a plant to your specific home environment before you commit, our guide to choosing the right plant for your home covers light, space, experience level, and pets all in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hoyas safe for cats and dogs?
Most hoyas, including Hoya Carnosa, Hoya Australis, and Hoya Publicalyx, are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. If pet safety is your first priority, our pet-safe plant collection covers every species we carry that has been confirmed non-toxic. All 122 plants in that collection have been individually verified.
How long does shipping take?
Most orders ship within one to two business days and arrive within three to five business days depending on your location. You will receive a tracking number as soon as your order leaves our facility. We recommend ordering early in the week so your plant does not sit in a carrier facility over the weekend.
Which hoya should I get first if I am brand new to them?
Start with Hoya Carnosa or Hoya Publicalyx. Both grow quickly, tolerate imperfect care, and give you a clear picture of what the genus is about before you move further down the wish list. Once you see how easy hoyas are in a real home environment, the rest of the list makes a lot more sense.
Ready to start building? Browse all hoyas at plantswagshop.com →
