Hoyas are one of the most diverse genera in the houseplant world, which makes "what trellis should I get?" a surprisingly hard question to answer in one sentence. A sprawling hoya australis has completely different needs than a compact hoya pachyclada, and matching the trellis to the plant — not just the pot size — makes a real difference in how your collection looks and grows.
This guide breaks down trellis recommendations by variety type, so you can find what actually fits your plant.
Fast-Growing and Large Hoyas
Varieties: Hoya carnosa, Hoya australis, Hoya krimson queen, Hoya pubicalyx, Hoya magnifica
These are the varieties that can outgrow your trellis in a season if conditions are right. For this group, it usually makes sense to start with a larger trellis rather than sizing up every year — a big Arbor Trellis or a large Circle Trellis gives vigorous growers room to do their thing without outpacing the support.
One thing worth keeping in mind: hoya growth is highly environment-dependent. If you are growing any of these varieties for the first time, give it a season before investing in the largest trellis available. Some plants that are fast growers for one person grow slowly in a different home, and a trellis that is too large for the plant can look awkward for a long time.
Recommended trellises:
- Arbor Trellis — modular and extendable, so it grows with the plant
- Circle Trellis (Large) — classic hoop shape, works especially well for hoya australis and krimson queen
- Large bamboo hoops (4–6 ft versions from garden stores or Amazon) for seriously large plants. This video is a great example of how to use them.
Small-Leaved Hoyas
Varieties: Hoya curtisii, Hoya lacunosa, Hoya bella, Hoya bilobata, Hoya krohniana, Hoya brevialata, Hoya kanyakumariana, Hoya obcordata
Small-leaved hoyas are one of the best pairings for character trellises, because the foliage simply does not hide the design. If you have been eyeing a Chickadee or Cat trellis, a hoya bella or hoya krohniana is the plant to put it with. The leaves weave through the trellis without swallowing it, so the bird or animal is still visible once the plant fills in. It is a good excuse to pick something you genuinely like the look of rather than defaulting to a plain hoop.
These varieties also take the shape of more geometric trellises well — a heart trellis filled in with hoya lacunosa actually takes on a very clear heart shape.
Recommended trellises:
- Heart Shaped Trellis — beautiful with hoya krohniana and bilobata
- Open Hearts Trellis — built-in hooks, no clips needed
- Wreath Trellis — great for a full, lush look with hoya lacunosa
- Leaf Trellis — the leaf hooks keep vines in place without clips
- Character trellises (Giraffe, Chickadee, Cat, and others) — let the trellis be part of the display
Slow-Growing Hoyas
Varieties: Hoya kerrii variegata, Hoya pachyclada, Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' (Hindu rope), Hoya fitchii, Hoya thomsonii, Hoya deykei
Slow growers need a trellis that fits the plant now, not the plant you hope it will be in three years. Buying a large trellis and expecting the plant to grow into it tends to look off for a long time — and with some of these varieties, "a long time" can mean years.
For slow growers, it is worth prioritising the look of the trellis itself. Since the plant is not going to cover it completely for a while, choose something you enjoy looking at as a standalone piece. A Picture Frame Trellis or Stacked Hearts Trellis is genuinely decorative even when mostly bare.
Recommended trellises:
- Stacked Hearts Trellis — a good size for compact plants, hooks hold vines without clips
- Picture Frame Trellis — looks intentional even before the plant fills in
- Chickadee Trellis — the smaller regular size works well for a plant that is not in a hurry
- Hummingbird Trellis — same idea, lovely as an accent piece
Variegated, Speckled, and Uniquely Coloured Hoyas
Rather than focusing on specific varieties here, this category is really about approach: match the trellis colour to the leaf.
White variegation pairs cleanly with a white trellis. Pink variegation — hoya krimson queen or hoya carnosa tricolor — looks intentional next to a pastel pink. Speckled or splashed foliage, like some hoya pubicalyx varieties, can be echoed with a marble-coloured trellis that has a similar visual texture.
This is one of the more fun styling decisions in hoya collecting, and it is worth thinking about before defaulting to a neutral colour. A well-matched trellis makes the plant look like it was arranged rather than just growing.
Recommended colours: White, Pastel Pink, and Marble are the most versatile for variegated hoyas. Most trellises at Moss Trail Designs are available in these colourways — check the individual product pages for availability.
Trailing Hoyas
Varieties: Hoya linearis, Hoya curtisii, Hoya bella, Hoya wayetii, Hoya lacunosa, Hoya serpens, Hoya retusa, Hoya carnosa 'Compacta' (Hindu rope), Hoya kentiana
Some hoyas genuinely look their best trailing, and there is no rule that says they need to climb. That said, a small trellis near the top of the pot can add volume and structure to a trailing plant in a way that improves the overall look — especially as the plant matures and the base starts to go bare.
As lower leaves drop off over time, a trellis gives you a way to pull newer growth upward and cover the empty spots strategically. It is a practical tool as much as a decorative one.
Recommended trellises:
- Bricks Trellis — the grid structure makes it easy to weave vines, no clips needed
- Circle Trellis — good for giving volume at the top of a trailing plant
- Medusa Trellis — the branching shape suits hoyas that you want to fan out slightly rather than climb straight up
Hoyas Grown for Blooms
Varieties: Hoya multiflora, Hoya lacunosa, Hoya mathilde, Hoya carnosa, Hoya curtisii, Hoya cumingiana, Hoya australis
If your main goal is blooms, the consistent advice is to encourage upward growth. Hoyas tend to bloom more reliably on established vines, and supporting the plant vertically keeps those vines in better condition.
For this group, the specific trellis shape matters less than whether it gives the plant somewhere to grow up. Any trellis that supports upright climbing will serve this goal — the character and decorative trellises are better suited for other categories.
Recommended trellises:
- Arbor Trellis — the vertical structure is ideal for encouraging climbing
- Extendable Plant Pole Set — starts at a manageable height and extends as the plant grows
- U Trellis / Extra Large U Trellis — simple and effective, available in sizes up to 18"
If you are not sure where to start, the Circle Trellis in a medium or large size is a reliable first hoya trellis for most varieties. For collectors looking for something more long-term, the Arbor Trellis is the one that tends to stay in the pot for years rather than being swapped out.
All trellises at Moss Trail Designs are 3D printed in Canada and available in a range of colours. Ships worldwide.
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