Hoya meliflua 'Island' is a Philippine endemic with some of the cleanest, most architectural foliage in the genus – stiff, glossy, succulent leaves with no visible veining whatsoever – paired with flowers that produce so much dark nectar that it literally drips. The species name tells the story: from Latin mellis (honeydew) and fluo (to flow), referring to the abundant nectar that stains the flowers. When it blooms, the fragrance evolves from an initial glue-like note into rich, sweet chocolate. This is a species that delivers both visual minimalism and sensory drama.

The Species

Hoya meliflua was first described in 1837 by Francisco Manuel Blanco, who initially misidentified it as a Stapelia. The species was correctly placed in the genus Hoya by Elmer Drew Merrill in 1918 (Species Blancoanae, p. 318). It is endemic to the Philippines – recorded from Apayao, La Union, Rizal, Bataan, Laguna, Mindoro, Palawan, Negros, Panay, and Leyte. In its natural habitat, it grows as an epiphyte in montane forests at elevations of 1,000–1,200 metres above sea level. The 'Island' designation indicates a locality form selected from one of the Philippine islands, prized for consistent characteristics.

The Foliage

The leaves are the first thing collectors notice. Hoya meliflua produces stiff, succulent-like leaves that are remarkably clean in appearance – dark green, glossy, with no evident venation on the upper surface. Wikipedia describes them as having "a very clean look to them with no venation." World of Succulents records leaf dimensions of up to 13 cm long and 6 cm wide, attached to the stem by a petiole up to 2 cm long. The leaves are elongate-ovate, leathery to fleshy, with a glossy cuticle that gives the plant a polished, almost artificial appearance. Under bright light, the leaves may develop subtle reddish edges – Jordan's Jungle notes "subtle reddish edges, particularly when exposed to bright light." The foliage has a hearty, lush quality that makes the plant visually substantial even when not in bloom.

Growth Habit

This is a large-growing Hoya with thick, branched stems that can reach 3–4 metres in length. However, H. meliflua has an unusual characteristic: it does not twine well. Multiple sources note that the branches quickly turn hard and stiff, making them difficult to guide once mature. Tropics@Home specifically warns: "It is necessary to guide new shoots before the stem hardens. A mature stem will be impossible to bend without breaking it." The species is sometimes called "little fraterna" due to its similarity to Hoya fraterna, though it remains distinctly smaller. Llifle notes that the plant "isn't much of a climber, but looks really nice hanging in a basket" and "needs a sturdy support as it grows heavy with time." Best displayed as a hanging basket specimen or trained early on a robust trellis.

The Flowers

The flowers are pink to reddish-orange (sometimes nearly white), appearing in umbels of 10–30 blooms. Each flower measures approximately 1.5 cm in diameter with a revolute (reflexed) corolla. At the base of the central column are five prominent nectaries that produce copious dark-coloured nectar – this nectar drips readily and stains the flowers, giving mature blooms a characteristic chestnut-coloured mottling. The fragrance is distinctive and evolves over time: Llifle notes that "at first the flowers have a strange scent, similar to glue but not so strong, but as the flowers mature the scent turns more sweet – they smell like chocolate." Gabbar Farms and multiple other sources confirm the chocolate fragrance. The flowers are long-lasting and appear primarily in spring and summer, with occasional autumn blooms. Flowering is promoted by temperature differentials between day and night.

Care Requirements

• Light: Bright indirect light to partial shade. Tolerates full sun in mild climates but may develop reddish leaf edges. Avoid deep shade – the plant becomes leggy and less likely to flower.
• Water: Allow substrate to dry substantially between waterings. Water thoroughly when dry, then wait. The succulent leaves store moisture well. Overwatering leads to root rot. Reduce watering significantly in winter.
• Soil: Well-draining epiphytic mix – orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir. The roots need excellent aeration. Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.1–7.5).
• Temperature: 20–25°C (68–77°F) is ideal. World of Succulents notes tolerance down to 4°C for brief periods, making this more cold-tolerant than many tropical Hoyas. USDA zones 11a–11b. Protect from frost.
• Humidity: Above 60% is recommended for optimal growth. Tolerates lower humidity but benefits from misting during dry periods.
• Feeding: Balanced fertilizer at half strength monthly during the growing season. Stop in winter.
• Training: Guide new shoots early, before stems harden. Once mature, stems are stiff and inflexible.

Botanical Summary

Family: Apocynaceae | Genus: Hoya | Species: Hoya meliflua (Blanco) Merr. (1918) | Form: 'Island' (Philippine locality form) | Synonyms: Stapelia meliflua Blanco (1837), Hoya luzonica Schltr. | Common Names: Wax Plant, Little Fraterna, Porcelain Flower | Type: Epiphytic Climbing/Trailing Vine | Origin: Philippines (endemic) – Luzon, Mindoro, Palawan, Visayas, Leyte | Habitat: Montane forest, 1,000–1,200 m elevation | Flowering: Umbels of 10–30 pink to reddish-orange flowers, 1.5 cm, chocolate fragrance (evolving from glue-like when fresh), dark dripping nectar, spring–summer–autumn, long-lasting | Growth Rate: Moderate | Stems: Up to 3–4 m, thick, stiff when mature