Full Name & Status Hoya carnosa ‘Chelsea’ is an accepted name. The epithet first appeared in use around 2008. It was published online with a brief but distinguishing description and photograph by Lin Vosbury (as plantladylin) first in a discussion thread and 11 months later within the Internet Plant List hosted by Dave’s Garden also by Vosbury. By 2010 it had become widely distributed. The name Hoya carnosa ‘Chelsea’ was established in 2024 (L.Hatch).
Originator Uncertain [reported to be Chuck Ebersole but with no details of selection]
Nominant Reported to be Chuck Ebersole [personal correspondence to Registrar].
Etymology Named for Chuck Ebersole’s daughter
Classification aligns with Hoya carnosa at the species rank.
Brief Description Hoya carnosa ‘Chelsea’ is distinguished by thick, bright and often lighter than typical green leaves which are cupped and ovate to cordate (heart shaped).
These leaves develop characteristic depressions (dimpling) in pairs along the midrib and average in total 4-6 between the veins. There is little to no splash.
This cultivar has compact, close spacing of the internodes when compared to the typical species Hoya carnosa, as seen in Hoya carnosa ‘Krinkle 8’ and Compacta Group (indicative of polyploidy but with no confirmation that this is the express cause).
Inflorescence Corolla white to pale pink and rotate 1.5-2cm as in Hoya carnosa (L.f.)Br.
Habit Vining and climbing
Availability Global
Sources
Brickell, C.D. & Alexander, C. & Cubey, Janet & David, John & Hoffmann, M.H.A. & Leslie, A.C. & Malécot, Valéry & Jin, Xiaobai. (2016). International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants.
Vosbury, L. [plantladylin]. (2008, October 16). Help Please [Online Discussion Post]. Dave’s Garden. Discussion Thread.
Vosbury, L. [plantladylin]. (2009, April 6). PlantFiles [Reference]. Dave’s Garden. Archived Printable Guide
Fredell-Evans, D. [Denise]. (2010). Hoya carnosa ‘Chelsea’ [Online Discussion Post]. Houzz. Discussion Thread.
Hatch,L. (2024). Houseplant Cultivars III. Hoya.pp.137.
