hoya

[ hoi-uh ]

noun

1. any shrubby climbing plant of the genus Hoya, of the milkweed family, especially the wax plant, H. carnosa, a pot plant with waxy white flowers.

hoya

/ ˈhɔɪə /

noun

1. any plant of the asclepiadaceous genus Hoya, of E Asia and Australia, esp the waxplant popular as a house plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoya¹

< New Latin, named after Thomas Hoy (circa 1750–1822), English gardener; -a ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of hoya¹

C19: named after Thomas Hoy (died 1821), English gardener

Example Sentences

He carefully packages each one — golden pothos, string of hearts, trailing hoya — with a small team of employees, slaps on a bright sticker that reads “live plants,” and ships them across the country.

From Los Angeles Times

In addition to glossy, sometimes multicolored leaves, hoyas produce waxy starlike blooms.

From Seattle Times

Her cheerfully decorated shop specializes in curated houseplants from flowering hibiscus to leafy hoyas and ficus, as well as gifts for the home and garden.

From Seattle Times

Year-round residents include hoyas and Syngonium, but she gives her cacti and succulents a winter vacation there to counteract the dark winters.

From Seattle Times

Low-maintenance pothos, succulents and hoyas hang from the rafters of the curved metal ceiling.

From Los Angeles Times