Do you find it hard to tell the difference between Krimson Queen and Princess? The need to draw a Hoya Krimson Queen vs Princess comparison is common among gardeners, as it’s always puzzling to tell the two Hoya varieties apart.
Although Hoya Krimson Queen and Hoya Krimson Princess look similar at first glance, understanding their unique characteristics and differences can help you choose the perfect plant for your collection and ensure proper care and growth.
That’s why, in today’s article, we’ve prepared a detailed comparison between the Hoya Krimson Queen and the Princess. Let’s dive in!
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Hoya Krimson Queen vs Princess: How to Tell the Difference?
There are a ton of Hoya Carnosa plant varieties, like the Hoya Rebecca and the Hoya Retusa. However, the Hoya Krimson Queen and Princess are perhaps the most common varieties.
Even though it’s not easy to distinguish them from each other, surprisingly, there are many key differences and similarities between the two varieties.
The first difference you’ll spot between the Hoya Krimson Queen and Princess are the leaves. Hoya Krimson Queen leaves are green in the middle with white outer margins.
Hoya Krimson Princess leaves, on the other hand, have a creamy, white to yellowish middle with green outer margins.
Additionally, Krimson Queen’s stems are typically brown with faded pink flowers on top of them. However, the stems of the Krimson Princess are pink, and the flowers are reddish pink.
| Object | Hoya Krimson Queen | Hoya Krimson Princess |
| Leaf color | Deep green leaves with creamy white or pink borders | Green borders with white, pink or yellow on the sides |
| Stem Color | Brownish | Pinkish |
| Variegation | Variegated borders | Variegations on the leaf centers |
| Flower | Pink | Pink with a reddish center |
Hoya Krimson Queen vs Princess Differences
While the Krimson Queen and the Krimson Princess belong to the Hoya Genus, there are many differences between the two, including the color of the flowers, the leaves, and the growth rate. Let’s dive into more details.
1. Origin and Name
Let’s kick things off with the origins of both Hoya varieties. Both Hoyas belong to one family that was cultivated around 200 years ago and native to Asia as well as Australia.
Krimson Queen’s scientific name is Hoya Carnosa cv. Krimson Queen. Other scientific names include:
- Hoya Carnosa f. variegata hort.
- Hoya Carnosa cv. Tricolor.
On the other hand, the Krimson Princess’ names include:
- Hoya carnosa f. medio-picta aurea hort.
- Hoya carnosa cv. Picta.
- Hoya carnosa cv. Rubra.
2. Taxonomy
The Krimson Queen is part of the Asclepiadaceae family, which is a subfamily in the family Apocynaceae. They’re commonly known as the milkweed family.
The Krimson Princess also belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family. Still, despite belonging to the same family, the Krimson Queen and the Krimson Princess are two different varieties of the Hoya genus.
3. Shape and Appearance
When it comes to leaf shape, the Krimson Queen leaves are thin and cordate. It also produces clusters of star-shaped pink flowers.
The Hoya Krimson Princess, on the other hand, has thicker, lanceolate leaves and produces umbrella-shaped clusters of pink flowers with a reddish center.
4. Differences in Color
The Krimson Queen has leaves that are green in the middle with creamy white edges. Typically, when the leaves first come in, they’re usually dark green and bright pink. Later, the pink fades to white when the leaves mature.
Krimson Princess leaves, however, have a reversed color pattern. The middle of the leaves is white, while the edges are green.
5. Leaf Size and Texture
Krimson Queen leaves can reach a length of about two inches long. As we’ve previously mentioned, Hoyas are known as waxy plants. That’s because they usually have waxy, smooth, and shiny leaves. The Krimson Queen is no exception to that.
Krimson Princess leaves, on the other hand, can reach a length of about 1.5 inches long. They’re also much more textured and waxier when compared to the Krimson Queen leaves.
6. Height and Growth Rate
Because they have more chlorophyll, Krimson Queen has a faster and better growth rate.
As a result, the Krimson Queen can reach a length of about 5–7 feet in height when grown indoors. In its natural habitat, Krimson Queen plants can grow up to 25 feet.
Krimson Princess leaves, on the other hand, have less chlorophyll. So, they have a slower growth rate than that of the Krimson Queen. The Krimson Princess can grow up to 3-4 feet indoors and 15-20 feet tall outdoors.
7. Flowers
The Krimson Queen produces stunning, star-shaped, waxy flowers. The flowers are pink all the way through. In contrast, the Krimson Princess flowers have a reddish or dark pink center.
One thing worth mentioning is that both plants need special care to be able to bloom, especially when planted indoors.
8. Light and Water
Krimson Princess leaves are thick and succulent, which means they can hold more water than the thinner leaves of the Krimson Queen.
When it comes to sunlight, both plants thrive in bright indirect sunlight. However, due to their thicker leaves, the Krimson Princess requires more sunlight than the Krimson Queen.
Hoya Krimson Queen vs Princess Similarities
The Hoya Krimson Queen and Princess share some key similarities, as they’re originally part of the same botanical family.
The main similarities between the two plants are that they love sunlight, humidity, and high temperatures. Let’s dive into more details about the key similarities between the two.
1. Sunlight
The Krimson Queen and the Krimson Princess both originate from tropical regions. So, they love the sun. The best placement for an indoor Hoya is a window facing east with plenty of indirect sunlight.
2. Humidity and Temperature
Both plants grow perfectly in highly humid areas. In fact, the flowering of the Krimson Queen and Princess increases with a humidity level between 70-80%. While they thrive best in high humidity, they can also tolerate lower humidity just as well.
The Krimson Queen and Princess both prefer a temperature range of 60 to 95 degrees F. However, they can’t tolerate freezing temperatures and temperature swings.
3. Potting and Soil
Just like other plants, they prefer to be potted in well-drained fresh soil. Terracotta pots are the preferred option because they allow for better oxygen exchange to the roots and take in extra moisture.
Just keep in mind that the two Hoyas can get pot-bound, so you should repot them every now and then. The general rule of thumb is to repot Hoyas once to twice a year.
4. Fertilizer
Typically, Hoyas don’t need a lot of fertilizer. They only need a moderate amount of nutrients to grow and stay healthy.
One thing worth mentioning is that Krimson Queens prefer organic fertilizers over synthetic fertilizers.
Most importantly, you should dilute the fertilizer dose in half to reduce concentration. Moreover, you shouldn’t add fertilizer to either the Krimson Queen or Princess during the winter because they may go dormant during that period.
5. Natural Habitat
Hoyas naturally grow in parts of Asia. They can occupy a variety of ecosystems, so you can spot them anywhere from coastal areas to mountains’ rocky terrain.
Common Problems For Both Plants
Just like the Krimson Queen and Princess share similarities in their requirements, they also have common problems that can happen to both of them.
1. Discoloration of Leaves
The leaves of both Hoyas are prone to discoloration. If there’s too much water or humidity, the leaves will turn yellow.
On the other hand, if you’re giving them too little water or the humidity levels are too low, you’ll notice brownish discoloration of the leaf tips.
2. Pests
The Krimson Queen and Princess share a common enemy, which is pests that are attracted to their beautiful foliage and flowers. These pests include spider mites, scales, mealybugs, and fungus gnats.
3. Fungal Infections and Diseases
The Hoya Krimson Queen and Princess are both prone to fungal infections and diseases, such as Botrytis Blight and root rot.
Black and brown lesions on the stem, wilting, leaf curling, and gray-colored spots are common symptoms of these diseases. The sooner you act when you spot these symptoms, the better the chances are for your Hoya to survive.
To avoid these diseases, you should make sure that the soil is always well drained and avoid overwatering your Hoyas.
In Short
The comparison of Hoya Krimson Queen vs Princess will help you distinguish between the two Hoyas and pick the best one for your houseplant collection.
The most prominent differences you can spot are in the leaves and flowers of both Hoyas. The Krimson Queen has pink flowers, and the leaves are green with white creamy variegated borders.
The Krimson Princess, on the other hand, produces pink flowers with a reddish center and has deep green leaves with a variegated center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still have a question in mind? Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Hoya Krimson Queen vs Princess.
Is the Hoya Krimson Princess fast growing?
No, the Hoya Krimson Princess is a slow-growing plant. Contrarily, the Hoya Krimson Queen has a faster growth rate.
Are Hoya Krimson Princess and Tricolor the same?
The tricolor is the same as the Krimson Queen. On the other hand, the Krimson Princess is slightly different, as it has variegation in the middle of each leaf.
What is the difference between Hoya Tricolor and Krimson Queen?
The Hoya Krimson Queen produces pink flowers and green leaves with white creamy variegated borders. The Hoya Krimson Princess, however, produces pink flowers with a reddish center and has deep green leaves that are variegated in the middle.
Hey, I’m Lisa and I’ve been an avid gardener for over 30 years. I love writing, talking and living in the garden! Feel free to connect with me on my socials below
