Summer Blakeley: Hoya Plants: Caring for Hoya

Hoya have been popular house plants for decades and with
good reason. They are extremely long-lived, have a classic, deep green, vining
foliage and produce fragrant, light pink and red star-shaped flowers. Because
of their thick waxy, foliage they are often called wax plants or sometimes
porcelain flower referring to the unique texture of the flowers.

These tropical vining plants have a few requirements in
order to thrive but nothing too hard. Give them bright, indirect light,
humidity and a light touch when it comes to watering. Use a potting mix that
allows for good air circulation around the roots. Read on for the best recipe
for success.

Light

Select a place that
gets bright, indirect light. Don’t let their waxy foliage fool you. They are
not succulents and can’t take harsh afternoon light. They will grow in lower
light situations but it’s unlikely they will bloom.

Soil and Repotting

Potting soil with
good air circulation is very important for Hoya. To create a perfect blend mix
equal parts of Espoma’s organic Cactus Mix, Orchid Mix,
and Perlite.
Hoya like to be pot-bound or
crowded in their pots. They will only need to be repotted every two or three
years.

Water

Water regularly with
room-temperature water, spring through summer. Let the top layer of soil dry
between watering. In the fall and winter growth naturally slows down and they
won’t use as much water. Water sparingly during fall and winter, give them just
enough that the soil doesn’t dry out completely. Too much water can cause
flowers to drop.

Humidity

Hoya are tropical plants that
thrive in humid conditions. Use a humidifier to bring the humidity levels up,
especially in winter when indoor air tends to be dry. A saucer with gravel and
water also provides humidity as the water evaporates. Misting with
room-temperature water also helps but avoid spraying the flowers.

Temperature

Keep the room temperature warm year-round,
try not to let it drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also best to keep
plants from touching cold windows and away from heating and cooling vents.

Pruning

Prune in spring
before vigorous growth begins. The stems with no leaves are called spurs and
shouldn’t be removed. Flowers are produced on the same spurs year after year.
Hoya are vining plants that will happily cascade from a shelf or window sill. Conversely,
they are often trained onto trellises that are either vertical or circular,
giving the impression of a more robust plant.

Fertilizer

Espoma’s Orchid! liquid fertilizer is perfect for
Hoya. The dosing cap eliminates measuring and gives exactly the right amount
every time. Feed once a month from spring through fall.

Here are links to other blogs and
videos we hope you will enjoy:

Hoya Tips and
Propagation from Homestead Brooklyn

A Healthy and Happy New
Year with Plants

DIY Terrarium Ideas

Espoma Products for Hoyas