[1] The plant's many aerial roots (which the vine produces along its entire length) will gradually adhere to vertical surfaces nearby, such as buildings, trees or poles, acting as anchors and enabling the plant to receive better sun exposure away from the ground.

Likewise, excessive sunlight potentially causes dehydration and sunburn of the vine.

As a species, Hoya obscura is characterized by its diamond-shaped leaves which retain a verdant green hue when grown in shadier areas, but will visibly darken and "stress" to a rich, reddish-maroon color if given more bright, indirect light, or even brief periods of early morning or late afternoon sunlight.

Typically, Hoya obscura is very easy to grow, in appropriate conditions, and may thrive outdoors in Mediterranean, tropical or subtropical regions; it may be grown successfully indoors or in a protected area in temperate climates, especially if given a moss pole or trellis with which to support itself.

Indoor-grown vines are generally more suited to mounting or trellising as they lack the direct sunlight exposure of outdoors.