Hoyas are one of the best options for houseplants. They are stunning, with various shapes. So, if you want to add a glimpse of unique and fresh greenery to your house, Hoya Callistophylla or Finlaysonii are a great fit.
You will instantly love their big leaves, lush green color, and pronounced veins.
But honestly, it takes work to set Hoya Callistophylla and Finlaysonii apart correctly. These two similar plants share many prominent common characteristics in their physical appearances.
In this Hoya Callistophylla vs. Finlaysonii comparison, we will shed some light on their characteristics and differences.
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What is Hoya Callistophylla?
This Hoya variety is one of the best-looking houseplants. It is highly praised for its light green leaves and dark veins. The contrasting color shades make the leaves look stunning when combined.
This plant is prized for its lovely flowers and beautiful foliage. During summer and spring, the plant produces fragrant flowers. These flowers are either creamy or white. Sometimes, these flowers come in pink and look like tiny stars.
Hoya Callistophylla falls into the category of succulent plants. As for the growing style, this plant gives you some freedom. It is a vining plant, so it can cascade or climb depending on your preferences.
The natural habitat of Hoya Callistophylla is Malaysia. It is commonly found in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
It is pretty common to hear this plant called the wax plant. This nickname results from this Hoya’s thick, leathery, and waxy leaves. Caring for Hoya Callistophylla is simple if you have some experience with tropical plants.
Due to their succulent nature, these plants won’t need frequent watering. Its leaves can maintain water for longer periods. Hoya Callistophylla is a slow grower, so it takes many years to mature.
What is Hoya Finlaysonii?
If you buy this plant, you might be astonished by its different clones and varieties. You can find nearly 20 different plants labeled as Hoya Finlaysonii.
However, the names of the areas where they were discovered or hybridized can differentiate each of these subspecies.
But in general, the most common type of Hoyas Finlaysonii is preferred for its dark green and thick foliage. It is a flowering, evergreen tropical plant. This vine is semi-succulent and can grow as a climber or a trailing plant.
This plant originates from Thailand. It is neither a cold-hardy vine nor a drought-tolerant plant. It requires little attention, but you should water it more frequently. However, this plant won’t thrive in damp soil.
What are the differences between Hoya Callistophylla and Hoya Finlaysonii?
Hoya Callistophylla and Finlaysonii might look the same at first sight. But when you spend time with both of them, you can uncover countless differences.
The significant differences lie in the details of their leaves. Additionally, there are some differences in how they care for each.
1. Leaf color
This is one of the easiest ways to identify these similar plants.
Hoya Callistophylla and Finlaysonii have green leaves, but their shades are not even close. Hoya Callistophylla has bright green leaves, whereas Hoya Finlaysonii has darker green leaves.
2. Vein appearance
The leaves of both plants showcase prominent veins. However, the appearance of these veins is not identical. The leaves of Hoya Finlaysonii have less prominent veins.
The veins of the Hoya Callistophylla are more pronounced, giving the leaves a less smooth texture. Additionally, the veins of the latter are darker in color compared to those of the former.
The younger versions of these two can be recognized through the veins. The veins of a juvenile Hoya Finlaysonii are almost invisible compared to the easily noticeable veins of younger Hoya Callistophylla.
3. Leaf shape
A closer look at the leaves of these similar plants indicates undeniable differences in their shapes. The leaves of the Hoy Callistophylla are flat and oval.
They are significantly larger than Hoya Finlaysonii. The leaves of the Finlaysonii plant, on the other hand, are elongated and narrower.
4. Leaf size
While both plants are known to have large leaves, they are not the same size.
The mature leaves of Hoya Callistophylla are longer. They can reach a length of 25 cm. On the other hand, the mature leaves of the Hoya Finlaysonii are a bit shorter, as they reach around 17 cm long.
5. Leaf margins
Another helpful way to identify these two very similar plants is by looking at their leaf margins.
The margins of the Hoya Callistophylla leaf are the same color as the rest of the leaf. This is not the case with Hoya Finlaysonii. The leaf margins are darker than the rest of the surface.
6. Leaf texture
At first glance, you might be tricked into believing both plants have the same leaf texture.
Getting to feel each of these plants’ leaves reveals contrasting textures. Both plants have thick foliage, but the Finlaysonii leaves are way thicker.
7. Growth speed
Another comparison factor that helps in recognizing both almost identical vines is the growth speed.
Hoya Callistophylla grows extremely slowly. The Hoya Finlaysonii, on the other hand, can grow faster when given the ideal growing requirements.
8. Watering needs
This is a major point where these two similar plants go separate ways. Hoya callistophylla is a succulent plant. So, it can naturally tolerate a lack of water.
In contrast, Hoya Finlaysonii is a semi-succulent plant. This means it will need more attention in terms of watering.
During the summer, for example, you may need to water your Hoya Finlaysonii daily. The Hoya Callistophylla, on the other hand, would need water only once a week during the hot seasons.
Hoya Callistophylla vs. Hoya Finlaysonii: Are they the same?
No, Hoya Callistophylla and Finlaysonii are not the same plants. They look undeniably similar. They also share a family and thrive in the same regions. Both of them feature big, veiny leaves with the same growth style. But all this does not imply they are identical, as there are core differences between them.
The leaves of the Hoya Callistophylla are lighter with darker veins, whereas those of the Hoya Finlaysonii are darker with lighter veins.
The leaf edges of the Hoya Finlaysonii are darker as well. The veins of Hoya Callistophylla are more prominent, whereas the Hoya Finlaysonii leaves are thicker.
The leaves of Hoya Finlaysonii are narrower, whereas those of Callistophylla are flattened. As for the growth speed, the Hoya Finlaysonii grows faster than the Hoya Callistophylla.
Last but not least, the Hoya Callistophylla tolerates infrequent watering, whereas the Finlaysonii does not.
