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by jeannette
(San Francisco, CA)

my mystery plant

I found this at my local grocery store, and i love it, but I don’t know what it is, so I don’t know how to care for it. Do you know what it is?

Comments for My Mystery plant

Jun 27, 2010
 Not a mystery any more!
by: Jacki

Hi Jeanette,
Your plant is Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle Kurl’, sometimes also seen as Hoya carnosa ‘Compacta’, with the common name of Hindu Rope Plant. With luck, and enough neglect it will flower with pink or white wax like clusters of blooms, with a strong scent which will fill a room.

For best results, benign neglect will be the kindest thing you can do;
Watering thoroughly once or twice a month in the summer, then allowing to dry for the winter will encourage it to bloom. Don’t prune off the little woody nubs as these are where the flowers come from, and they only bloom on old wood.

If you have a partly shaded area (under a tree, or a pergola or porch) then summer outdoors will suit the Hoyas fine. Make sure to check for mealy bugs before bringing it back in, as they are a common pest of Hoya.

Send me a picture when it blooms!
Jun 27, 2010
 Mystery solved!
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much! It will be perfect for me! I do well with plants that can be neglected.