Today we’ll delve into the sweetly-scented world of the hoya plant to learn all about the best way to grow it. Every aspect of its care will be mentioned, from watering all the way through propagation.
By the time we’re done, you will be a hoya expert, and you’ll want to grow this bright, starry-flowered and aromatic plant at your home!
How to Plant and Care for Hoya Plants
There are over 200 species of Hoyas, each of which has unique colors and shapes. This beauty is seen not only in the blooms but in the foliage as well. Hoyas are popular house plants that often bloom in the first year, but if they are indoor plants, there is a possibility that the process could take longer. Let’s explore some of the specific needs of Hoya plants; starting at the roots of the plant and the type of soil that is needed to help them grow.
Soil Requirements: A Hoya plant needs soil that is rich, aerated, and drains well. Personally, I create an organic soil mix that really helps my Hoyas prosper and grow. It is made from organic potting soil, compost, worm casings, and fine fir bark. If you have your Hoyas planted in a pot, they like being in close quarters, so transplanting the Hoya into a larger planter may do more harm than good.
Fertilizer: Like most of the plants that we have in our homes, the Hoya likes to be fed with fertilizer. Use liquid fertilizer to feed your Hoyas about once a month during the growing season. Once cold weather comes along, make sure to cut back on the fertilizer. In fact, these plants should not be fed during the winter months because they enter a semi-dormant state.
Water: During the spring and summer, these plants crave water, and they need quite a bit of it to remain hydrated. Water the plant thoroughly, and as long as the pot that it is planted in is a container that drains well, then you shouldn’t need to water it again for about two weeks. Test the top of the soil, if it is dry, the Hoyas need watered again. It the soil is still moist, then you can wait a bit longer to give the plant more water. During the winter months you can cut back on watering the plant. Since it is in a semi-dormant state, the Hoyas can most likely be watered once a month.
Light Requirements: Sunlight is important for a Hoya plant, but indirect sunlight is best. Having the plant hanging directly in your window will cause the leaves to burn from the direct heat of the sun. A north-facing window provides the perfect light for a Hoya plant, but if you do not have that lighting option available, fluorescent lighting will do the job as well. They prefer morning sun, but if the light is not sufficient, the plant may not bloom.
Temperature: These beautiful flowers are tropical plants, so you do not want to keep them in extremely cool temperatures. Try to maintain the room where you have your plants located at a temperature of at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning: These long lush plants do not need to be pruned, unless of course they are becoming unruly. I find that the only pruning that is required on a Hoya plant is cutting off dead growth and controlling the size of the plant. If the plant is becoming too long, cut it back and propagate the cutting to give to a friend.
Propagation:
Propagate Hoyas by cuttings of top growth, or by leaf cuttings in the same manner as African Violets and Gloxinias. The average cutting or leaf will produce a blooming plant in two years or less. The easiest method of propagation is by layering. Layers mature faster and do not need as much patience. Pin down a stem, at the joint, in a moist rooting medium. Sever and pot the new plant when roots have formed.
Grower's Tips
Hoya plants don't ask for much, beyond the well-draining soil and the warm humid conditions that many tropical flowers crave. They don't like wet feet or heavy soil, and as many grow as epiphytes in nature (similar to bromeliads and orchids). Give them at least a half day of sunshine, and bring them indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C).
When your Hoya finishes blooming, leave the flower stalk, as it may produce new flowers. Removing the stalk forces the plant to produce a new stalk, which delays blooming and wastes the plant's energy. They are light feeders, and a monthly drink of compost tea or dilute fish emulsion provides all the nutrition these tropicals need. Hoyas like the security of a snug pot, and plants that are a bit root bound will flower more prolifically than those that are swimming around in a giant pot.
Hoya Pests & Diseases
Hoya plants are relatively resistant to pests although you may find mealybug, whitefly and scale insects on your plants.
In all cases, spraying neem oil on your plants is the best form of defense.
Diseases: The most common disease amongst hoya growers is sooty mold. This black mold forms on leaves that are sticky with plant saps or nectars, and the hoya flowers can produce enough sweet-smelling nectar to cause it. Aphids can also cause sooty mold due to their production of honeydew.
Thankfully, sooty mold is very easy to deal with. Simply wipe off the mold with a damp cloth. If you want, you can spray a diluted seaweed fertilizer over the area where the mold formed, which seems to stave off mold formation for a bit.
Botyris blight can form on the leaves of hoya plant. This starts as greyish fungal patches towards the center of the plant. As it develops, it can cause leaves to become mushy or to collapse. This can be treated with the use of a copper fungicide such as Bonide Copper Fungicide.
Finally, there is the dreaded root rot. Caused by moisture in the soil which aids fungal development, this can be prevented simply by not overwatering. If your plant begins to wilt or form black or brown stem or leaf lesions, root rot may be the cause.
Spray with a copper fungicide both on the soil and the plant itself to try to reduce the effects of root rot. If the roots themselves are black and mushy, your plant is beyond redemption, and should be disposed of.
Conclusion: Caring for a Hoya plant can be equally difficult and exciting.
If you make sure to know where your Hoya is from, then you’ll know how to approach growing it indoors or outdoors in a humid and warm climate.If you follow the basic steps of finding the light, temperature and watering frequency, you’ll be well on your way to a lush blooming collection.
Follow any instructions on labels when you purchase before planting them.Most importantly, enjoy your new Hoya plants and embrace the trials and tribulations of watching them grow.
