This plant is truly a conundrum. Hoya engleriana is one of the most unique and implacable members of the genus Hoya, with deeply bullate, tiny, pointed leaves that are held tightly against a stem, sometimes even pointed upwards. While this species may appear more like rosemary than the average Hoya, there is ample proof when it blooms. Engleriana produces smaller clusters of flowers; usually between five and ten little pointed white stars studded with pink corona centers, ones that exude a very mild, but pleasant floral smell. This species doesn’t usually branch, as it’s not a very advantageous trait for it to possess in its natural climate of mountainous Cambodia and Thailand. Sparse patches of small stems cling tightly into wedges of rock and gnarled wood; the Hoya solution to a true alpine plant. There is only one major note regarding the care of Hoya engleriana; regarding propagation. When in the stage of an unrooted cutting; with a freshly cut stem, this species is more fickle than most, and it is highly recommended to root propagations in a humidified container using sphagnum moss for media. Once engleriana propagations are rooted, they will quickly establish, putting off quickly growing vines, skyward bound. Roots are rather fragile; and thus this species should be kept in a pot larger than what would usually be used for a plant of its size; so as to prevent the need for future repotting. Besides these small stipulations, engleriana is a surprisingly robust Hoya; it grows quickly, flowers frequently, and truly stands out from the stereotype.
