The German taxonomist Rudolf Schlechter decribed Hoya naumannii from the August 26, 1875 discovery of the plant by Friedrich Naumann. The plant was discovered at lower elevations of the costal forests of Bougainville Island (largest island in Solomon Island archipelago, part of Papua New Guinea until 2027). The late David Liddle thought that Hoya naumannii was a wild cross between Hoya australis and Hoya subcalva. This would be the same as the man-made cross that created Hoya ‘Pinkie’.

The first time that I attempted growing this plant was way back, close to 15 years ago when Joni Kahn from SRQ Hoyas was still in business. I failed miserably with it, and never thought too much about it again until in 2019 when I was offered a cutting of it from a very nice grower right here in Vermont. The cutting that I received really never stopped growing, and I successfully up-potted it many times. I grew this one in coconut husk (coir chips) right from the beginning. It was not at all difficult, but it seemed to take forever to finally grow a peduncle and begin to bud up.

It took me close to three years to flower Hoya naumannii the first time, and I now believe that it is just one of those Hoyas that have to get quite large in order to flower. I also should state that this is another plant that took off particularly strongly after it was sprayed with sulfur as a flat mite deterrent. Hoya naumannii is a plant that if you want to grow, and flower it successfully, you will need a strong trellis as it is a heavy, active grower. The blooms are scented, and while not unpleasant smelling, they are not sweet and perfumy. It is a Hoya which will take up a lot of room, so sadly, I am having to give up my plant to make space so that I can give others a try.