Hoya 'Christine' is a rare and highly sought-after hybrid wax plant created by renowned Hawaiian hybridizer Michael Miyashiro in 1998. This cultivar is a cross between Hoya subquintuplinervis (formerly known as H. pachyclada) and Hoya pottsii, combining the thick, robust foliage of the former with the vigorous flowering tendency of the latter. Named after Christine Burton, one of the most respected figures in the Hoya collecting community, this cultivar lives up to its distinguished namesake with exceptional ornamental quality and an intoxicating fragrance.

The leaves are thick, fleshy, and slightly pubescent (softly fuzzy) on both surfaces, measuring 8-10 cm long and 6-8 cm wide, with prominently visible veining that creates an attractive quilted texture. The growth habit is upright and compact – more structured than many trailing Hoya species – making 'Christine' an excellent choice for tabletop display or a small trellis. When given sufficient bright light, the foliage can develop subtle sun-stress coloring along the margins.

The real showstopper is the bloom. Hoya 'Christine' produces clusters of reflexed, star-shaped flowers with white corollas tipped in pale yellow-brown, and a white corona adorned with a pink circle surrounding a yellow center. Each flower produces large drops of glistening nectar, and the fragrance is exceptionally strong and sweet – most potent in the early morning and evening hours. Individual flower clusters last nearly two weeks, providing a prolonged and deeply satisfying blooming experience.

Care Requirements:

• Light: Bright, indirect light. Tolerates a few hours of gentle morning direct sunlight. An east or south-facing window with filtered light is ideal. Insufficient light delays flowering.
• Water: Allow the top half of the soil to dry between waterings. Water thoroughly and let excess drain completely. Reduce watering in autumn and winter. Never let the plant sit in standing water.
• Soil: Well-draining, airy mix. Combine potting soil with perlite and orchid bark (equal parts) for excellent drainage. Hoyas are epiphytes and cannot tolerate heavy, waterlogged soil.
• Temperature: 16-29°C (60-85°F). Avoid temperatures below 10°C (50°F). Does not tolerate cold drafts or sudden temperature fluctuations.
• Humidity: Average to high household humidity (50-70%). Tolerates moderate humidity but benefits from occasional misting or a pebble tray, especially in winter when indoor air is dry.
• Feeding: Balanced liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) at half strength, once monthly during spring and summer. No fertilizer needed in winter dormancy. Always apply to moist soil.

Botanical Info: Family: Apocynaceae | Genus: Hoya | Hybrid: H. subquintuplinervis × H. pottsii (Miyashiro, 1998) | Common Name: Christine Wax Plant | Type: Epiphytic Vine (compact/upright) | Zone: 10-12 | Flowering: Star-shaped, reflexed, intensely fragrant