Hoya Carnosa 'Chelsea'

Chelsea (Hoya carnosa), commonly known as the Porcelain Flower or Wax Plant, is native to the subtropical forests of East and Southeast Asia, where it climbs among tree limbs and rocky ledges in warm, humid air. Light filters softly through the canopy, and long dry spells alternate with brief, heavy rains.

Its vines are slender and enduring, sheathed in thick, leathery leaves of deep green often flecked with silver or pale cream. These waxy leaves conserve moisture and give the plant its familiar sheen. When mature, the stems coil and climb, wrapping naturally around support in search of light.

In late spring and summer, Hoya carnosa produces clusters of small, star-shaped flowers arranged in perfect symmetry. Their pale pink corollas glisten as if coated in porcelain and release a rich, honeyed fragrance strongest at dusk. The blooms may weep a trace of clear nectar, a sign of the plant’s health and vigor.

In cultivation, it prefers bright, indirect light, warm temperatures, and soil that dries lightly between waterings. Elevated humidity enhances leaf luster and encourages flowering.

Resilient, fragrant, and time-honored, Chelsea endures as one of the most beloved Hoyas—an emblem of quiet persistence and refined beauty.