Hoya Flower & Leaf

Ask the Expert: What is this plant?
Hi,
A friend of mine had a plant that he inherited with his office.  It had nice shiny leaves that grew on long vines.  They’re about 4′ long.  Green with small white spots.  I took a clipping.

It took some years (3), but it finally stared to grow.  It just grows and grows.  It never bloomed until a few weeks ago (3 more years), and then I got these little sprays of 5-petal pink flowers that are about 1/2′ across.  There are 17 on one spray.

What is this and what do I do with the flowers?

Thanks,
Kevin Ansley

Plant Expert Reply:

Your plant goes by the name Hoya , wax flower, wax plant, wax vine.  The genus for this plant is Hoya and it has many species within this genus.  I believe from the bloom and the leaf that you have Hoya carnosa.

You probably have noticed that the blooms are very fragrant.  You don’t have to do anything with the blooms until they are spent. When the bloom has deteriorated beyond attractiveness simply cut it away from the vine.