How To Care for a Hoya Plant

The Hoya plant is an excellent option if you're looking for a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for houseplant. The Hoya is also known as the wax plant because of its waxy leaves.

It is a fast-growing vine you can train to climb or trail over the edge of a pot. Hoyas are native to tropical climates and prefer humid conditions, so they're perfect for bathroom or kitchen windowsills. Here's everything you need to know about how to care for a hoya plant.

What Is a Hoya Plant?

Hoya plants are native to Asia and were introduced to the western world by Scottish botanist Robert Brown. The plant was named after Thomas Hoy, an 18th-century botanist who studied plants extensively.

Hoya plants are characterized by their deep green, vining leaves and their fragrant, light pink, and scarlet star-shaped flowers. One of the most impressive things about hoya plants is their long lifespan.

If you know how to care for a hoya plant, it will thrive for decades, making them an excellent addition to any home or garden. If you're looking for a plant that will add beauty and longevity to your space, consider investing in a hoya plant.

Sunlight

Hoya plants thrive in indirect light that is relatively bright. Some plants require around two hours of morning or evening sunlight to grow, but too much sun will scorch or discolor their leaves.

Humidity

Hoya plants prefer high humidity levels, ideally with a minimum level of 60%. Although they can tolerate lower humidity levels, you may notice that their growth is stunted or that they produce fewer flowers.

Water

In the spring and summer, water your hoya once every 14 days. First, it's crucial to make sure the soil is dried before you water your plant. Then, before watering it again, let your hoya dry out to ensure it is healthy.

Soil

Most hoyas will do just fine in a typical potting mix as long as it is well-draining and has good air circulation. A blend that is too dense or too wet can cause the plant to rot, so it is vital to ensure that the potting mix you use is balanced.

You can also add some perlite or grit to improve drainage. If you are growing hoyas in containers, it is vital to re-pot them every three years to refresh the soil and ensure that the roots have plenty of room to grow.

When replanting, be sure to use a pot that is only slightly larger than the one the plant is currently in.

Temperature

While the hoya can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, it prefers temperatures between 68 and 75 F. If the temperature drops below 68 F, the plant will become dormant and not flower.

Above 75 degrees, the leaves of the hoya will start to yellow and may drop off. Therefore, keeping the temperature within this ideal range is essential to maintain healthy growth.

Light

Wax plants develop best under light intensities of 1500-2000 foot candles. This means you should place them in a bright spot that receives indirect sunlight throughout the day.

If the light intensity is too low, the leaves will begin to brown, and the plant will become stunted. Conversely, if the light is too intense, the leaves will scorch, and the plant will stop blooming.

Hoya Plant Common Problems

When growing hoyas, common issues include dieback of stems, leaf-drop, and blackening of leaves. These issues may be caused by poorly drained or waterlogged compost or it being too cool in the winter.

Wilting and dieback of the above-ground growth can be brought on by overwatering or excessive fertilizer application, which prevents the roots from absorbing water due to the high salt levels in the soil.

Compost that is either excessively wet or improperly drained may cause root rot. You can take cuttings as soon as you identify a problem to save the plant. Lack of flowering could be a result of inadequate lighting.

Level of Difficulty

Though it may vary depending on the species, hoyas are generally easy to maintain. They're not too particular about soil type as long as it has good drainage and they don't need much fertilizer.

They prefer indirect light but can tolerate low light levels, making them ideal for apartments or office settings. Hoyas are also relatively drought-tolerant, so you won't need to water them too often.

The main thing to remember with hoyas is that they like to be pot-bound, so don't re-pot them too often, or they may stop blooming.

How To Get Hoyas to Bloom

As any gardener knows, getting plants to bloom can be a challenge. However, hoyas are a type of plant that is relatively easy to get to bloom. The first step is to change the plant's location to a window with more light.

Hoya plants need a lot of sunlight to bloom, so expose them to as much daylight as possible. The next step is deep but intermittent watering. Hoyas need their roots to be wet to bloom, but too much water can damage the plant.

Additionally, spray your plant frequently and aim to maintain a humidity level of at least 40%. This will help encourage blooming.

Finally, use a soluble plant food with a higher middle number to feed the plant. Plant blooms are promoted and supported by phosphorus, so high phosphate feeds often cause blooms. Also, in the late winter, pinch back the stems. This will encourage growth and perhaps even some buds.

How To Propagate Hoya Plant

Taking cuttings with two nodes is the most effective approach if you want to propagate your hoya plant. You can put them in a jar with wet sphagnum moss or a water-filled vase.

Then, check in on them every couple of weeks to ensure they are doing well. Once they have a robust root system, you can put them in pots.

Conclusion

The Haya plant is a beautiful addition to any home, and with the proper care, it can last for years. We hope you've found this information about how to care for a hoya plant helpful. If you have any questions or need more advice, don't hesitate to contact us. Thanks for reading!