🌿 Hoya 'Water Drop' (Irina) – Drop-Shaped Leaves with Silver Splashes

Hoya 'Water Drop', also known as Hoya 'Irina' or EPC964, is a rare species or hybrid from the Hoya genus, prized for its distinctive water drop-shaped leaves and the silver spots that decorate their surface. This epiphytic plant from the Apocynaceae family is a remarkable collector's piece that brings elegance and refinement to any green space.

🌍 Origins and Botanical History

Hoya 'Water Drop' (EPC964) is a species collected and introduced into cultivation by specialized collectors. The EPC964 code represents a provenance identifier ensuring plant traceability. The exact origin is likely Southeast Asia, a region of exceptional biodiversity for the Hoya genus. The names "Water Drop" and "Irina" are cultivar names under which it is marketed.

🌿 Leaves – Water Drops with Silver Splashes

The leaves are the main decorative feature. Distinctively shaped like a water drop, with a semi-fleshy texture and glossy surface. The coloring is medium to deep green with silver splashes scattered across the surface, creating a particularly attractive visual effect. The unique leaf shape and silver pattern make this plant easily recognizable and highly decorative.

🌸 Flowers – Delicate and Fragrant Stars

The flowers are grouped in umbels, composed of small star-shaped blooms with fleshy petals. The coloring is delicate, in shades of white, cream, or pink. The fragrance is pleasant and subtle. Floral peduncles should be kept intact for repeated blooming in subsequent seasons.

🌱 Growth Habit and Care

Hoya 'Water Drop' is a climbing plant with moderate growth, suitable for hanging pots or climbing supports. It prefers medium to bright indirect light, a well-drained substrate based on bark, perlite, and sphagnum, and moderate watering – the substrate should partially dry between waterings. Ideal temperatures: 18-28°C (64-82°F). Medium to high humidity (50-70%). An accessible plant in cultivation, suitable for collectors of all levels.