HOUSEPLANTS > HOYA

IN THIS GUIDE

HOYA GUIDES

the green lanceolate leaves of a hoya plant bearing white flowers with pink centre

Hoyas , also known as waxplants , are named after their flowers which have wax - like petal .

These climbers are popularly used as houseplant in light , promising conservatories or other suitable locations inside UK plate .

In this guide we ’ve collaborate withHarriet Thompson , the founding father of the specialist houseplant greenhouse Harriet ’s industrial plant .

Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’ with lanceolate leaves edged in white growing in a container

H. carnosa‘Krimson Queen’

“ houseplant like hoya are such a pleasance to be around in our place and have so many life style benefits , ” say Harriet .

“ Getting to acquire them the way that I do mean that I ’m smother by brisk air and their goodness every unmarried day . ”

Overview

PreferredLight and bright location out of direct sunlight

ExposureSheltered

Height0.5 – 4 M

pale pink star-shaped flowers with red centres from a Hoya carnosa

Spread0.5 – 4 M

Bloom TimeJune to October

PreferredSpecialist potting mix

star shaped white and pink flowers of H. lanceolata subsp. bella

MoistureWell - drained

pHNeutral

Hoyas are a kitchen stove of subtropic or tropic plants that can only really be grown as houseplants indoors here in the UK .

loveheart-shaped leaves of hoya kerrii

Hoyas deviate in their hardiness and some are potentially grown outdoors in summer , though they still lean to need to be undercover or indoors in a frost - free location over the winter months .

Therefore , most are grown as houseplants here year - round .

Hoyas that are commonly kept as houseplant in temperate clime admit many cultivars that are notable for a variety of different colored flowers and leaf shapes .

‘Krimson Queen’ cultivar of hoya plant with variegated green and white leaves cascading over the edges of a pot

Several different mintage and many unlike cultivars can be deliberate for UK households .

Choosing A Hoya Variety

accord to the RHS , Hoya carnosaandHoya lanceolatasubsp.bellaare the types most commonly grow here in the UK.1Hoya / RHS Gardening . ( n.d.-b ) . Royal Horticultural Society . Retrieved April 11 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/hoya/growing-guide

One other popular option for exercise as a houseplant isHoya kerrii .

H. carnosais a large climbing plant which will require some support and it is ordinarily produce on wires in a conservatory .

green leaves with pale pink marking on the undersides of H. carnosa growing in a wicker basket

H.lanceolatasubsp.bellais a trailing succulent plant which is a groovy choice for growing in hanging baskets or other hang containers indoors .

H. kerriiis a slow - growing evergreen vine with woody stem that will get up to around 1 MiB in height .

“ Hoya kerriiis a various   plant as it will hang , creep , or climb   look on how you support it , ” share Horticultural Consultant Dan Ori .

H. kerrii with heart-shaped leaves covered in rain drops hanging from the plant’s wooden stems

“ It is very popular as a gift due to its heart and soul - influence leaves and you will often see these for cut-rate sale online as a partially buried   farewell or two in a pot . This has caught out many a Valentine ’s Day buyer as leaves eventually wilt and choke or grow into their natural mounting form .

“ I recommend buying a works with some vine to it as the leaves are just as lovely on their stems . ”

While these are the most common , note that there are plenty of other Hoyas that can be used as place strange houseplant and many make great terrarium plants .

curly waxy leaves from a Hindu Rope wax plant being held up by its black container

H. carnosa‘Compacta’

Hoya Plant Care

Hoya is sure as shooting not the easiest houseplant to grow and , if you are a fresh houseplant parent , you might want to consider a less crabbed option to begin with before you get on to mature plants like this .

However , if the finicky plant does not discourage you , then you will have to learn all about the conditions that they require and their basic care needs .

Here are the cardinal factors that you need to weigh :

Hoya carnosa ‘krinkle 8’ growing in a basket with wet leaves

H. carnosa‘Krinkle 8’

Hoya postulate to be positioned in a light and undimmed location within your home .

“ Very few houseplants enjoy all day in direct sunshine , ” says Harriet .

“ But , if worry for aright , many Hoyas enjoy the late good afternoon or mid - morning sun , as this boost them to blossom . ”

white and green variegated foliage from a ‘krimson queen’ hoya plant growing in a container indoors

However , they should not be placed in direct sunlight for too long , especially in summer , or leaf scorching can come about .

A bright a localization as possible is important during the autumn and winter month .

When grow Hoya inside your home , it is crucial to remember that safe level of humidity are very important .

Centrally heated spaces can tend to dry out , but you’re able to increase local humidness by standing your hoya plant in a container on a tray satisfy with damp gravel or expanded clay granule , with the weewee just below their surface .

Temperature is also important for Hoyas .

Some Hoya , such asH. carnosa , will require nighttime temperatures in wintertime of above 10 ° atomic number 6 , but others require temperature above 16 - 18 ° coulomb to be maintained , so be deliberate when selecting a multifariousness .

Through the bounce and summer months , Hoya that is grown indoors as a houseplant needs to be watered regularly .

place to keep the growing mass medium just moist whilst have sure that waterlogging does not occur .

In autumn and winter , a Hoya will tend to want a lot less water and should be watered only pretty during this prison term .

direct to water when the stain is quite dry but do not let it get entirely ironic and dusty .

In order for these rather fussy plants to thrive , it is important to choose for a growing medium ideally suited to their need .

A mix of one - part peat - free compost , one - part orchid bark and one - part common perlite is sometimes recommended .

A specialist cactus compost with added perlite can also be used .

In spring and summertime , you should fertilize a Hoya in a pot every fortnight or so .

Use an organic liquid plant feed that is high in atomic number 19 .

Through the autumn and winter , feeding should continue but less frequently , typically around once a month until growth resumes in the outflow .

Hoyas really do n’t care to be repotted and are ordinarily comfortably provide in the same pot over a recollective menses of clock time .

However , if a Hoya really needs to be repotted , this should be done in the outflow , and you should , after doing so , hold off feed the plant for the next six workweek or so .

Most of the trouble encounter when growing Hoyas originate because the plant ’s environmental pauperization are not adjoin .

“ [ A ] uncouth problem with hoyas and other houseplant is hold back them warm during the wintertime , ” say Harriet .

If you discover that something is wrong , take a look at heat , weak level , weewee and alimentation levels before you look for anything else .

Of course , as a houseplant , Hoya can also be bothered by uncouth houseplant pests , such as scale insects , whiteflyand mealybug .

Reviving A Dying Hoya

As mentioned above , the most serious problems find when grow Hoyas relate to the incorrect grow conditions or wrong forethought .

First affair first , if a Hoya is drop dead , essay to influence the lawsuit of the problem .

If the problem is overwatering or wretched drain , then you may be able to save a plant by repot it .

However , even if you have act quickly , the event may be poor , so the full matter might often be totake cuttings to propagate your plant .

Usually , semi - good cuttings are take from a Hoya in the saltation or early summer .

These then will root pronto in a develop sensitive or in water .

References