I’ve amassed a sizable collection of Hoya species during the past year. Hoyas are a genus of tropical succulents that are native to Asia and Australia. There are over 300 species in the genus, in addition to several hybrids and cultivars. Hoyas are generally recognized for their waxy flower clusters and thicker, succulent-like leaves (also known as umbels). They are linked to Dischidia and common milkweed since they are members of the Apocynaceae family and the Asclepiadoideae subfamily. I could go on and on about how fascinating I find the world of hoyas, but the focus of this essay is on misperceptions about hoya care. Considering that I have only been cultivating them for a little over a year, I am by NO MEANS an expert. However, I seem to naturally be good at them, therefore I want to share my struggles and missteps with anyone else who might be interested in Hoyas. You’ll rapidly discover that they’re quite “addictive” and that it’s simple to get sucked into collecting them! Having said that, let me reiterate that I lack expertise. Just wanted to share my experience with you. The top 5 Hoya care blunders and how to fix them are shown here. I’ve killed a few, but kept most of them alive.
1.) Assuming that all Hoyas have the same maintenance requirements – Although many Hoyas, as I said above, require a comparable level of maintenance, there are more than 500 different species, cultivars, and hybrids of Hoyas. When you begin to collect various Hoyas, learn about their distinct requirements. Some people prefer warm, muggy weather, while others prefer cooler, dry conditions. Some people prefer a little touch of dryness, while others want a lot of wetness. As a general rule, hoyas with thicker leaves can withstand drought better than those with thin leaves, which are more thirsty. Additionally, there are a variety of elements that affect blooming, including light, age, roots, and temperature. A particular favorite resource of mine is Vermont Hoyas, and there are a ton of useful Hoya groups on Facebook.
2.) Not using a well-draining potting media – Even if a particular Hoya species like to stay on the damp side, a well-draining substrate is KEY and may even be more crucial than anything else when caring for Hoyas. Standard cactus/succulent soil can be used in a pinch, but I’ve discovered that even soils designed for plants that resemble succulents are insufficiently well-draining and require amendment. However, I prefer to use soil that has been heavily amended with perlite, charcoal, and pine bark, such as Fox Farms or Black Gold. In place of packaged potting soil, I recently started using coco coir, and thus far, things are going nicely. There are numerous ways to produce hoyas, including growing them exclusively in pine bark, semi-hydro utilizing clay balls that have been inflated, and amending with sand. The substrate’s ability to quickly drain is all that matters. Healthy roots are necessary for Hoya growth and flowering, therefore lacking them could cause the plants to suffer from root rot.
3.) Overwatering – This links in somewhat with the earlier recommendation to use a fast-draining mix. A substrate that drains efficiently is crucial because it can prevent overwatering. Although Hoyas like a moist environment, plants are nonetheless vulnerable to overwatering. Don’t let the Hoya sit in water (like a tray), let the substrate dry out sufficiently between waterings, and don’t plant it in a pot that is too large. In fact, a tight-fitting pot can occasionally promote blooming in addition to preventing damp roots.
4.) Not giving enough humidity and air flow – When people first learn about Hoyas, they are frequently shocked to discover that they LOVE humidity. In fact, several species depend entirely on humidity for growth. Hoyas are not desert-dwelling succulents; rather, they are native to humid tropical and subtropical environments. Hoya growth is notoriously slow for many species (I’m looking at you, Hoya kerrii variegata), but humidity can actually help. In reality, if the humidity is high, Hoyas can still grow quickly in more moderate light. Now, because of all the humidity, fungus can frequently be an issue; for this reason, it’s crucial to have sufficient air flow. Hoyas shouldn’t be packed too close together with insufficient space between them or in stagnant, humid air. If you have a lot of plants, you should space your Hoyas out more.
5.) Don’t expose them to bright light – This may seem like the most basic gardening advice, yet many people mistake Hoyas for low-light plants. Actually, they aren’t. Many cultivars of H. carnosa and some non-variegated species can definitely withstand more mild light coming from a window that faces east (in the northern hemisphere) or even directly in front of a window that faces north. But placing a Hoya in a corner or on top of a dark bookshelf is one of the worst things you could do. Hoyas climb up trees in tropical regions, so consider where they are native to and how they develop. They so require that brilliant, dappled light. Light from a west or south-facing window is best for Hoya indoor growth. This winter, I’m utilizing T5 HO lights, which many growers strongly recommend. Artificial lighting is undoubtedly beneficial for hoyas. Outside, indirect lighting is preferable because too much direct sunlight can make the leaves wilt and become yellow. The Hoya plant grows better when the light is kept up, and it also prevents the soil from being too wet. Wet potting soil shouldn’t be used with Hoyas, as is common knowledge.
A Hoya is what sort of plant?
Look into hoyas if you’re seeking for an unusual indoor plant that’s incredibly simple to grow (also sometimes called wax plant). This unusual houseplant is a vine with thick, waxy leaves and clusters of star-shaped waxy blooms. Don’t worry, it doesn’t grow quickly. It is one of the most resilient indoor plants.
Although hoya is frequently offered in hanging baskets, its lanky stems can also be seen trailing from urns and other tall receptacles. Hoya may also add vertical interest to your house or office if you want to grow it erect. Simply provide a trellis or totem and let it grow.
What’s up, Hoyas? Other indoor gardeners enjoy chatting with our houseplant experts! Send us an email if you have any queries regarding hoya or other houseplants!
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Hoya Growing Instructions
Grow your low-maintenance hoya in bright, medium, or dim light. Although it can handle low and medium light, it rarely blooms there. Like other flowering indoor plants, hoya will produce more blossoms as its exposure to light increases.
When the potting soil becomes dry, water the hoya. This houseplant doesn’t care if you occasionally forget to water it. The plant can store water for situations like like that thanks to its thick leaves and stems. A hoya can develop root rot if the potting mix is kept moist for a lengthy period of time, so be careful not to overwater it. Hoya prefer it to be too dry than too wet.
Although low-maintenance hoya don’t need much fertilizer, you can if you want your plant to bloom more profusely. Use any all-purpose indoor plant fertilizer as directed on the container.
Add these kinds to your Hoya arrangement:
Canine Cactus Wax plant is fascinating and beautiful when paired with dog tail cactus.
Pothos Pothos is a beautiful houseplant companion for wax plant and is quite simple to grow.
Varieties: Our Favorites
H. bilobata, one of the tiniest hoyas we cultivate, has tiny green leaves that are frequently flushed with crimson. On and off throughout the year, this flowering houseplant produces little clusters of reddish-purple blooms. Note: It’s also referred to as the Hoya “Tsangii” or the “DS-70.”
How is a Hoya succulent cared for?
- Are the lengthy tendrils that don’t have any leaves on them something you should remove? Just leave them alone. The plant simply develops in that manner. They first spread bare tendrils, and then those tendrils later develop into leaves and flowers.
- During the spring, summer, and fall growing seasons, fertilize the plant. Hold off throughout the winter when they are dormant.
- Hoya plants are hardy and rarely succumb to houseplant pests, unless you already have them in other surrounding houseplants.
- Check out our future guide to advanced houseplant care for more information on indoor cultivation!
Hoya plants can give your house the flavor of a tropical spring. When they begin to bloom, they burst with lush, juicy leaves and release a delicious fragrance. They are easy to maintain and non-toxic to animals. The secret to hoya maintenance is to give them plenty of bright, indirect light and to allow them dry out between waterings. Download our Winter Garden Guide and stop by our garden centers in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville for more seasonal inspo!
Do Hoyas prefer to hang or climb?
Hoyas, also known as wax plants, are a common indoor plant that come in a wide range of distinctive types with various shapes, colors, and styles.
They also require very little maintenance and produce lovely, long vines that give any house a lush, tropical appearance.
Even though hoyas require very little maintenance, growing them for the first time might be challenging because of the learning curve.
They appear to have a trailing growth pattern, yet they are also well known climbers.
Do Hoyas prefer to hang or climb? A Hoya’s preference for climbing or hanging mostly depends on the variety. All hoyas can climb, but some varieties have leaves that get too big and are happier being allowed to trail. Some Hoyas want to climb, trail, and hang all at once.
Don’t worry if that sounds confusing. Whether you choose to let them hang, climb, or do both, we’ll go over all the numerous ways you may raise a happy and healthy Hoya!
Is hoya a healthy indoor plant?
Hoyas can occasionally be challenging and demanding. Finding a happy medium between treating them like a succulent or a typical tropical foliage plant is challenging, in my experience. They retain water in their leaves because they are succulent plants, therefore watering them too frequently might be harmful. And this is where things become tricky: if I wait too long to water them again, they can experience problems in the future (losing leaves, root rot). I therefore hope to find this equilibrium someday and be able to sustain it for longer than a few months.
Flowering
The distinctive and exquisite blossoms of hoyas are one of the plants’ many appeals. Many hoya growers put a lot of effort into getting each of their plants to bloom, some of which are very challenging to do.
Hoyas frequently take a few years to reach maturity and some people think they are more likely to bloom in a pot that fits them tightly. Hoyas prefer to be rootbound, in contrast to some plants.
Hoyas can be rootbound and fail to bloom, in my experience, although those that are more mature and have intricate root systems do appear to bloom more frequently.
Scent
Hoyas have a variety of smells at different intensities. Because the blossoms of Hoya carnosa are so intense and strongly scented, they have a reputation for having extraordinarily strong-smelling flowers. Their blossoms’ aroma and potency, however, vary as much as their foliage does.
When I’ve experienced blossoms in my own home, the fragrance—even from plants that dripped nectar—was quite mild and barely flowery. I’m expecting to soon encounter one of the more colorful and flamboyant bloomers, and I’ll be sure to share my experience.
Nectar dripping
In an effort to draw pollinators, hoya blossoms might drop sweet nectar. Some plants drip very little, while others drip so much that their keepers bag the blossoms to collect the nectar in an effort to keep a clean environment and deter pests.
How frequently should a Hoya be watered?
Consult the answers to frequently asked questions below if you require quick Hoya carnosa care advice for a plant that was left to you by a relative or if you’re seeking for quick advice on newer, rarer hoya species.
Q. How do I get my hoya plant to bloom?
Give your hoya a place that receives some bright light and is cool throughout the winter. In the spring, feed it high-phosphorus plant fertilizer.
Q. What temperature do hoyas like?
Hoyas can handle temperatures between 55 and 85 degrees, although they prefer days to be between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and nights should be between 60 and 65.
Looking for more indoor plants that require less care? Check out our articles on how to take care of snake plants, jade plants, and air plants.