Hoya chewiorum is a relatively recent and very appealing addition to the Hoya genus, particularly celebrated for its unusual and beautiful flowers.
Hoya chewiorum is native to Borneo, specifically found only in Sabah, a state in Malaysian Borneo. It grows as a liana (a woody vine) primarily in the wet tropical biome, particularly in the hill forests of the Crocker Range.
This species was named in honor of brothers Philip and Dr. Steven Bosuang (formerly known as Chew), who were instrumental in establishing Kipandi Park in the Crocker Range, which includes a significant collection of native Hoyas.
The species was formally published by Anthony Lamb (A. Lamb) in April 2014.
The publication details are:
Lamb, A., Gavrus, A., Emoi, B., & Gokusing, J. (2014). Hoya chewiorum, a new species of Hoya R.Br. (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) from Borneo. Sandakania, Vol. 19, pp. 109-114.
While a direct link to the Sandakania journal might be harder to find freely online, botanical databases like Plants of the World Online (POWO) by Kew Gardens reference it: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77146275-1
Key Characteristics
Leaves: Hoya chewiorum typically has dark green, thin, elliptic to ovate leaves, often with prominent venation. They are generally not heavily succulent.
Growth Habit: It exhibits a trailing or twining growth habit, acting as a liana in its natural environment. Indoors, it can be grown in hanging baskets or trained on a trellis.
Flowers: The flowers are the star attraction. They are star-shaped, often with a pale-yellow, peach, or salmon-colored corolla and a contrasting creamy-white or mauve corona. What makes them particularly striking is their fuzzy, almost velvety texture, often described as looking "fleecy" or "woolly," similar to Hoya lasiantha but with distinct coloration. Flowers typically measure around 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) in diameter and are borne in umbels of up to 35 flowers. They often have a mild, sweet fragrance, sometimes likened to banana, especially at night. Flowers can last up to a week
Blooming: This Hoya is known to be relatively fast-growing and can be a prolific bloomer under the right conditions, sometimes blooming quickly from a rooted cutting.
Care Requirements for Indoor Cultivation
Light: Prefers bright, indirect light. While it can tolerate some gentle morning sun, protect it from harsh, direct afternoon sunlight to prevent leaf scorch.
Watering: Due to its thinner leaves, Hoya chewiorum generally appreciates consistent moisture but, like all Hoyas, requires excellent drainage. Allow the top surface of the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid letting it sit in soggy soil, which can lead to root rot. It may tolerate drying out a bit more in winter, but generally, it prefers less pronounced dry periods than very succulent-leaved Hoyas.
Humidity: Thrives in moderate to high humidity, ideally above 50%. High humidity is beneficial for healthy foliage and can help prevent bud blast. Consider using a humidifier or pebble tray, especially in dry indoor environments.
Temperature: Prefers warm, intermediate to warm temperatures, ideally between 15−35∘C . It is sensitive to cold and should be protected from temperatures below 14∘C
Soil: Requires a very well-draining, airy, and chunky potting mix.
Potting: Hoyas generally prefer to be a bit root-bound, which can encourage flowering. Repot only when necessary, typically going up only one pot size.
Hoya chewiorum is sometimes confused with Hoya fraterna (with which it has been previously classified, with IML 1676 being a common clone often labeled as Hoya fraterna IML 1676 before its reclassification as Hoya chewiorum IML 1676) and Hoya lasiantha due to their similar fuzzy flowers.
