Cultivar · genus Hoya
Compacta
Hoya carnosa · ‘Compacta’
Guide
Written and kept by people who grow it. Every section carries its source.
The Hindu Rope Hoya
Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' is a slow-growing selection of the common wax plant, prized not for leaf color but for its twisted, rope-like growth habit. It is also sold under the name 'Krinkle Kurl' and is the plant behind the common nickname 'Hindu Rope' plant.
Source: NC State Extension
A More Modest Grower
Because 'Compacta' grows more slowly and stays more compact than typical Hoya carnosa, expect a smaller plant over time, topping out around half a metre to a metre with a modest spread. It still wants fast-draining, loam-based compost with extra organic matter, bright indirect light with shelter from hot sun, moderate water in growth, and just enough moisture to get through winter.
Source: RHS
Layering Or Cuttings
This cultivar can be increased the same two ways as its parent: by layering in spring or summer, or by rooting semi-ripe cuttings with a bit of bottom heat in late summer.
Source: RHS
Puckered, Curled Foliage
What sets this cultivar apart is its leaves: thick, rigid, and dark green, but folded and puckered rather than flat, so the whole vine takes on a crimped, cord-like look as it trails. The RHS describes it as semi-succulent and slow growing compared to the straight species. From spring into autumn it still produces the familiar domed clusters of fragrant, waxy, star-shaped flowers, these with red centers.
Source: RHS
Care recipe
Each fact carries its confidence tier — and says whether it belongs to this cultivar or is inherited from the species.
Care notes reviewed by Horta
- Light
- ai:claude-sonnet-5
- Soil
- ai:claude-sonnet-5
Bright, indirect
≈ every 18 days
Medium
15–29 °C
fast-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost with added organic matter
layering in spring or summer; semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in late summer
balanced liquid feed monthly during growth; keep just moist in winter
Slow
produces domed clusters of fragrant, waxy, star-shaped flowers with red centres from spring to autumn
Non-toxic to cats & dogs
Wax plant — ASPCA lists Hoya carnosa non-toxic to cats and dogs. (Other catalog Hoya remain AI-warned toxic — NOT covered by this species claim.) This is where toxicity lives: every cultivar inherits it and none can override it.
Reference images
Every image credited. Licenses link to their deeds.
PrimarySources: ai:claude-sonnet-5 · ASPCA
Kept true by its growers
Every fact here carries its source. Grow ‘Compacta’ yourself? What you’ve observed — how it drinks, how it holds its color, a name that’s off — and a clear photo of your plant are exactly what keep this page honest. Contributions are reviewed before anything changes.
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