Hooray for Hoyas
Hoyas are tropical plants with thick, leathery, leaves and small clusters of star-shaped, fragrant flowers. Often referred to as wax plants due to their thick, waxy leaves, this low maintenance houseplant comes in a variety of leaf sizes, colors, shapes & textures.
Hoya blooms are just as diverse as their leaves and are available in many colors, sizes and forms depending on the species of Hoya. Flowers grow in umbels (a flat-topped or rounded flower cluster in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point), usually with many flowers per umbel. Some bloom in the first year & others take a few years to establish before they bloom.
These semi-succulent, vine plants love to send down trails of leaves, so they are often seen in hanging baskets. Even a plant novice can be successful growing a Hoya plant, which are, for the most part, very easy to grow. Basic requirements include well-drained soil, warmth and lots of humidity. Here are a few general guidelines for caring for a Hoya, but as always, talk with one of our houseplant experts for detailed care for specific Hoya varieties.
Light the Way:
Hoya plants don’t tolerate much direct sunlight, however they do require very bright light in order to bloom. Place your plant in an east-facing windowsill where it will receive sunlight for about three hours in the early morning and bright, indirect light for the rest of the day. Hoyas will live in low light but may not bloom.
High and Dry:
Water soil thoroughly, but wait until the top one-third to one-half of the soil is dry before you water the plant again. Be sure to use a pot with drainage holes and empty the drainage tray. Use room-temperature water, since cold water can shock them. In winter, water sparingly giving the plant just enough to keep the soil from drying out completely.
Food for Thought:
Low-maintenance Hoyas don’t require a lot of fertilizer, but you can fertilize if you want it to bloom better. Use any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer and follow the directions on the packaging.
Flower Power:
Keep your plant slightly pot-bound, since it is more likely to bloom if its roots are a little crowded. Hoyas usually flower during the spring or summer, although some types can bloom sporadically throughout the year given the proper conditions. Don’t move your plant after it has begun to set buds or it may drop them.
Keep it Neat:
Hoyas are fast-growers, so you can prune back long vines if you prefer to keep it compact. The best time to prune is early spring before Hoyas start their most vigorous time of growth. And, don’t pinch or snip off the spent flowers, as the short and leafless stems on which they appear will produce more flowers in subsequent years if they aren’t broken off.
Keep it Warm:
Remember, Hoyas are tropical plants, so you don’t want to keep them in extremely cool temperatures. Try to maintain the room where you have your plant located at a temperature of at least 50 degrees.
