Okay......after reading other posts i realize that there are many different kinds. So i found one in a post of "Diane" that looks just like mine, except mine doesn't look as big or healthy as Diane's. So i am trying to put a pic in this post, hopefully it will work.
Thanks.
Tonia

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:939909}}

Sounds like you have a Carnosa.

They do like a lot of light... mine gets a few hours of afternoon sun. I let it dry out between thorough waterings, and it seems to be growing quite fast.

If the leaves are shriveled, my guess is you're not watering it enough.

Hi Artzypants (funny name),

Yes, it's a type of H. carnosa, I believe it's called Krimson Queen. Looks fine, it may be that its growth slowed down for the winter. I'd suspect as Spring comes, yours will start to grow more again, many of mine have started or are starting to now.

It's said that in nature, dappled light is what Hoyas get. They're said to grow up through the trees, so maybe that's why yours enjoy being outside (I've read here many folks find that).

I envy the outdoors you can put it in (I grow indoors only).

If you read around this Forum (maybe do a search on Hoya carnosa), you'll see lots of info about mixes (what kind of soil), light, etc. Mixes are something there are many opinions about; diff. things seem to work for diff. people.

What's that plant in the pot on the right please? It looks rather like my H. imperialis, does anyone else think that? Pretty leaves whatever it is.

Ohhhh, sorry, that's Diane's plant -- Hey Diane, what is that please?

Karen the Curious

Tonia,

Your east window should be perfect for your Hoya, assuming the plant sits IN the window and not several feet back from the window. I grow almost all of my Hoyas in an east exposure in the winter months because that's where most of my windows are. They do well, but I find that carnosas do tend to go semi-dormant in winter, so no growth is not anything to worry about. However, they shouldn't shrivel, so I suspect underwatering might be a problem, too. With the exception of a few, I don't let mine get too terribly dry - I'd call it only slightly dry. And I wouldn't do any fertilizing in the winter months - maybe some SuperThrive, but no fertilizer. The rest does them good and fertilizer tends to "push" them.

When it gets warm enough, I would put it back outside and I'll bet it grows a bunch for you this summer. Just don't let it get too dry when it's actively growing.

Denise in Omaha

Nice Hoya you have there!

I too have a krimson queen. They are one of the most beautiful hoyas in my opinion.

It will not do well in low light. I have mine in a south window, it gets some afternoon sun and loves it. In summer I'll have to close the blinds so it doesnt get scorched. I treat it like a succulent and water every 3 weeks maybe a tad more in summer. But in lower light you'll want to water less. If you put it outdoors, watch for pests...aphids ,mealies, whiteflies. I also grow roses so I'm not hanging mine ouside. Really it is an easy care plant. Enjoy!

Jen

Well I'm glad everyone likes my little Krimson Queen:-) I bought her last year at a florists.... I told them that it's a hoya and that it will bloom but they didn't believe me. LOL I can spot a Hoya a mile away. How can a florist not know a bloomer when they are selling them? Oh well.... I win as I got it for 2 bucks!

Karen,

The little plant beside the KQ is a Hoya Australis cutting I recieved in trade last year. Lots of growth on that one as it only had 1 leaf and a bit of stem when I got it.(bout 15 now)

Diane

Hi. I first want to say thanks to diane for her pic & i hope she doesn't mind me borrowing it to get an ID on my plant.
Second, thank you all for so much information. My hoya should start to thrive now that i know what it is and needs.
Enjoy your day all!
Tonia

No problem about the photo Tonia. Thrilled that someone thought it was nice/good enough to repost:-)

One other tip for you and your Hoya(especially when they are a small plant): Remove ALL white/pink leaves and stems that grow without any green on them! Those leaves will rob green from the rest of the plant(basicly suck the life right out of it) and it won't grow or grow really slowly. This usually is not a problem for a large heathy plant but a small 4" pot....off with the white!!

You will find alot of pros and cons to doing this but my own experience is as stated. I have 2 KQ's and one I left the white on and on I didn't.... well lets just say I didn't even take a photo of the one that I left the white on! She's 1/2 the size of the one that I removed the white!

Good luck:-)
Diane

Thats weird. I really liked the fact it had white on it instead of being all green, but will do.
Thats a tip you don't see everyday.
You have really nice plants! I enjoy looking at them & dreaming mine will look like that one day! :)
Thanks Diane!
Enjoy your day!
Tonia

Tonia

I thought I should show you the other hoya. She doesn't look as nice as the other one! (But she's coming around now that I have taken the pretty white/pink leaves off:-)

Diane

Here is a link that might be useful: Ok... I took the other Hoya's photo!

Hi Diane
That one also is much healthier and nicer than mine! LOL!
I was thinking, should i take the white & pink leaves and use them to start new plants?
Gee they are just so pretty......when they showed up on my plant i was so happy & proud to have really pretty pink / white leaves on my plant! LOL!
I started this one from a leaf cutting...but i don't remember if i stuck it right in the dirt or in a jar of water to root it! Can i root it in water? (I seem to have plant-himers of the brain this year)
Have you done this with your white/pink leaves?
Thanks!
Enjoy your day!
Tonia

Sorry Tonia,

but they won't grow without the main plant to steal green(chlorophyll) from. It will just die! It would be like trying to grow a plant in the dark. It needs the light to produce chlorophyll and in turn, needs chlorophyll to grow.

On a large, say 10" full basket of KQ, the pink/white leaves are fine to leave on the plant but mine are just 4" pots and they just slow healthy growth too much!

You could try to root them it you want....experiment if you like....but the odds are that you'll be wasting your time!

Diane

I'm with Diane-the hoya cuttings that have only white/pink flowers will rob the plant of food, and will not grow apart from the mother plant. I tried the experiment and it takes them less than 2 weeks to whither up and die. Usually, the stem these "albino" leaves come from is very pink too. So, I nip them off, even though my plant is nearly 10 years old. Correct watering and light is crucial for the hoya. Putting it outside gives it a wonderful benefit provided it has its dappled sunlight, but as Diane says, be careful of the little bugglies that love hoyas so much when you bring it in the house again. I'd also guess its being under watered. I use the "one inch deep dry" rule on my carnosas - if you can push your finger into the soil more than an inch and not feet wet, then it needs to be watered. Never, ever let it dry out completely.
Christine

re-reading my post, the second last line should say "FEEL" not "feet"...lol...sorry.
C

These leaves, one 1/2 pink & white, & one 1/2 green & white
have been on the plant since i brought them in last august/september. Its done nothing since it was outside last summer, except get worse. i am sure i repotted this in cactus mix cause it had gnats & thats the only soil i had & couldn't find any at the stores. I am sure your right, not enough water has been a big problem. Hope it makes it! I think i had better repot her in regular potting soil, better go get some tomarrow, i'm sure i've seen them putting it out on the shelves again.
Thanks again.....its so nice just to know what she is & how to take care of her!
Enjoy your evening!
Tonia

Hi ArtzyP,

If you're gonna go out & get houseplant mix for these Hoyas, pls. also get some perlite & add abt 1/3 as much of that as houseplant soil. The Hoyas need this to keep the mix fast draining, otherwise, it's likely your mix will hold too much water too long (esp. if the soil has a lot of peat in it).

So its okay to keep it in its current cactus mix, which is pretty free draining?
Thanks!
Tonia

Cactus mix should be just fine Tonia!

Just be sure to water well then let almost dry completely. I water mine once a week as the furnace is still running full time. They like to be misted too....If in doubt that it needs to be watered... then just mist that day, water the next day.

Diane