Hoya krohniana
Hoya krohniana Care Guide
Featured photohoya-krohniana.jpgHoya krohniana is a miniature Philippine hoya prized by collectors for its tiny, heart-shaped leaves decorated with distinctive silver splashing on a dark-green background and contrasting burgundy-purple leaf undersides. The small, dense umbels of white star flowers have a rich purple corona, creating a vivid colour contrast. Its compact scale makes it ideal for small pot displays, terrariums, and tabletop arrangements — a much-sought-after collector's hoya.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water every 10 to 14 days, allowing the medium to dry significantly between waterings.
- Humidity
- 50–75 %
- Temperature
- 16–30 °C
- Soil
- Very well-draining hoya mix: orchid bark, perlite, and a minimal amount of potting mix.
- Origin
- Humid forests of the Philippines.
- Mature size
- Trailing stems to 60–90 cm; tiny leaves 1–2 cm long.
Overview
Hoya krohniana Kloppenburg & Siar was described in 2005 from the Philippines. The species name honours the hoya collector and nurseryman Ruben Krohn. H. krohniana is closely related to and sometimes confused with H. lacunosa, but differs in its silver leaf splashing and smaller leaf size. The 'Eskimo' trade name is widely used in the hobby, particularly for the splashed-silver form. The purple corona of the flowers produces a nectar drop that is among the sweetest of all hoyas.
Care Priorities
- Due to its miniature scale, use a very small pot (7–9 cm); the shallow root system dries quickly, allowing for adequate drying between waterings.
- Bright, indirect light maintains the most vivid silver splashing; in low light the silver fades and the leaf background becomes darker.
- The small size makes it very well suited to terrariums, provided temperature and humidity are appropriate.
- Leave all peduncles intact for repeat flowering.
Common Problems
Silver pattern fading to plain dark-green indicates insufficient light; move closer to a bright window. Root rot is particularly fast with miniature hoyas because the small pot volume has less buffering; ensure the medium is extremely open and free-draining. Mealybugs are difficult to spot against the silver-splashed leaves; examine carefully with a hand lens. Spider mites produce fine webbing along the stems in dry conditions; increase humidity and treat early with neem oil.
Sources & further reading (2)
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-05-27
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-27
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as 'Hoya sp. Eskimo'?
Yes — 'Eskimo' is a widely used trade name for H. krohniana (or sometimes the closely related H. lacunosa). The silver-splashed leaf form is the most commonly sold form. The formal species name H. krohniana applies to Philippine collections with the purple-corona flowers and silver leaves.
Why are the leaves purple underneath?
The dark purple-red underside of the leaves is anthocyanin pigmentation — a sun-protective response. It is characteristic of this species and is most vivid when the plant receives good indirect light. The upper surface shows the silver splashing; the lower surface the purple anthocyanin base.
How do I get it to flower?
Bright indirect light, a slightly cooler winter rest (15–18 °C), consistent fertilising with a phosphorus-rich formula, and patience. First blooms typically appear 2–3 years after a cutting is established. The tiny umbels of white flowers with purple coronas are exceptionally sweet-smelling.
