Hoya Carnosa or Wax plant is common indoor plant that grown for its attractive waxy foliage and sweetly scented flowers. Its grown well in pots and hanging baskets. This plant is a veritable air purifying powerhouse.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Gentianales
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
- Tribe: Marsdenieae
- Genus: Hoya
Prefers
- Light – Bright, indirect light
- Soil – Well draining
- Soil pH – 6.5 to 7.5
- Temperature – 60-80 degree Fahrenheit
- Humidity – 60-80%
- Flower colour – Red, pink and white
- Blooming time – Spring to Late Summer
- Native area – India and China
- Toxicity – Non toxic
Wax plant care with some tips
This article will help you with all the essentials you need to grow your plant.
If you want to know Hoya plant care.
Light
It thrive in bright, indirect light and some plant require around two hours of morning or evening sunlight to grow. Place it in a south or east facing window that receives indirect light.
Water
In the spring and summer, water your hoya once every 14 days. Water the plant slowly and evenly until water runs out of the drainage holes.Water thoroughly spring through autumn, allow the potting mix to dry out between watering. Don’t let the plant sit in soggy soil.
Soil
Wax plants need well-draining soil that allows for good aeration to prevent root rot and can be achieved by using a mix of potting soil with perlite, orchid bark or coco coir. The soil should have good air circulation to reach the roots. You can also add some perlite to improve drainage.
Temperature & humidity
The ideal temperature between is 60°F-85°F and can tolerate wide range of temperature. It avoiding extremes and ensuring good ventilation, especially during hot summers.
It thrives in 60-80% for optimal growth and blooming. Lower humidity can lead to stunted growth, fewer blooms and a lack of waxy sheen on leaves. If you want to increase the humidity level then use humidifier.
Fertiliser
Some of the best fertilizing methods include using a balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) ratio of 20-20-20 or a fertilizer specifically formulated for hoya plants.Use a high phosphate fertilizer for two months prior to the plant’s normal blooming time.
Propagation of Wax plant care
When we propagate than we usually take a stem cutting so that we are left with one node, two leaves and the stem that we are trying to root. It can be propagated through the stem cuttings. Propagation of cuttings is the most popular method. The cutting should be placed in indirect light and kept warm.The best way to propagate hoya is to take cuttings that have two nodes for roots and also provides rooting hormone to grow your plant healthy.
Pruning of Wax plant care
Pruning is the essential part of its care that keeps your plant healthy and encourage lush growth. Trimming your plant for new growth to produce more new branches. Prune wax plants immediately after the flowering season is complete.
This plant can grow large and trimmed them helps to control size. This is important to maintain a certain shape for aesthetic purposes. Prune stems to encourage new growth from the sides. Trimming these parts ensures that the plant can healthy growth and it helps prevent the spread of any disease or pests.
Types of Wax plant
- Hoya Carnosa ‘Compacta’: One of the most popular types of hoya plant is hoya carnosa ‘compacta’. It is known for its curled, fleshy leaves that grow in long rope like vines. Water it when the soil is dry.
- Hoya Kentiana: Hoya Kentiana is an evergreen tropical plant with its long, pointed leaves and fragrant, reddish- purple flowers. Near the window is the perfect spot where you can place them.
- Hoya Heart: Hoya Heart is unique succulent for its endearing heart shaped leaves.This plant can tolerate medium light conditions but will bloom in brighter indirect light. It is a succulent plant that stores water in flashy leaves.
- Hoya Mathilde: Hoya Mathilde is gorgeous hybrid of Hoya Carnosa and Serpens. This plant has beautiful small round leaves with splash.
- Hoya Obovata: Hoya Obovata is unique variety that is identified by its large, deep green silver- speckled oval leaves.
Repotting of Wax plant care
The ideal time for repotting a plant is during the Spring or early Summer when the plant is entering its active growing season. Choose a pot slightly larger than the current one and use a well-draining potting mix with proper care.Check for any signs of root rot or damage and trim any affected areas with clean shears.
Common problem of Wax plant care
- Overwatering and under watering call kill the roots.
- Environmental stress, water and nutrients cause hoya plant leaf curl. If the drainage of the pot is not correct then the water accumulates and the plant roots rot.
- The most common problem is fungal infections. It can cause brown or black spots on the leaves and bacterial infections can cause yellow.
Benefits of Wax plant care
- The hoya plant is also known as wax plant because of its waxy leaves. It has excellent low maintenance options and makes it easy to care for your plants.
- Indoor plants that are pet friendly are very exceptional as are exceptional plants is hoya.The chemical composition of this plant is non-toxic to dogs, which is a sigh of relief for pet parents.
- This wax plant has thick, waxy leaves its absorbing harmful toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde and xylene from the air.The main motive of any indoor plant in the house is to make the room breathable.
Wax Plant Faq
1. Can hoya survive winter?
Ans. Hoya can survive winter if kept indoors or in a temperate climate where frost is not a concern.
2. What is the lifespan of a Hoya Carnosa?
Ans. Hoya Carnosa can live for many years with proper care. They are long lived plants that can continue to thrive and flower for a long time.
3. Is Hoya Carnosa rare?
Ans. It is not considered rare and is commonly available in nurseries.