Aptly named for its commanding, thick, leathery leaves that are held up from the stem, Hoya rigida is quite a showy species; creating a growth form of more of a rosette than the typical vining seen by larger hoyas. Hailing from Thailand, as an epiphyte, rigida is quite fond of both heat and light, more so than most other Hoya. Ample conditions, which don’t require excess heat or light, will allow for growth at a slow, but moderate pace, well suited for a mid-ground plant in a collection display, at least until it matures into something more than adequate for a centerpiece. Blooms are small, tightly grouped and held in arrays of around 40, bubblegum pink, and shiny; with none of the fluff seen on some other species. The well-groomed appearance of a mature rigida gives all the appeal of both a clustered, tight leafy rosette and a dignified, well-structured vining portion; rife with flowers. Media should be kept standard for epiphytic Hoya; based in tree bark, tree fern, or coco chips; and should be properly aerated with perlite or pumice. Hoya rigida is not a particularly heavy feeder, though supplementary fertilization will always do a plant good.
