Hoyas are vining plants that can grow up any type of trellis, but they are just as happy to spill over the edge of a container. Hoyas tend to be slow growers, so you may want to purchase a larger plant if you have limited patience. The flowers they produce come in clusters of small, porcelain pink or white stars that smell like a dream. Here is all you need to know about hoya care.
Light
Hoyas prefer bright light. They may survive in medium light, but they will not grow as quickly or produce flowers. The more light they receive, the more flowers they will produce; even a little direct morning sun is ok! Ideal growing location is directly in an east or west facing window.
Water
We recommend letting your hoya dry out in between watering but remember to give them additional water when in bloom. The hoya’s succulent leaves are meant to hold water, so if you forget to water them from time to time, don’t panic—the plant can handle it. Chlorine and other chemicals can be harmful to the plant so allow water to sit out 24 hours or more so the chemicals can dissipate.
Soil
Hoyas need well-draining soil, as they are prone to root rot. The best soil will be airy, containing perlite, bark, and a small amount of peat moss. You can also use a cactus or orchid mix as those tend to be chunky, light mixes. Small pots are preferred as they enjoy to be slightly root-bound.
Temperature & Humidity
They prefer warmer temperatures—anything below 50 degrees can give them cold damage. They also thrive in medium to high humidity. Typically, the thinner the leaves are, the more humidity the hoya needs to stay happy.
Fertilizer
We recommend feeding your hoya at least once a month. Joyful Dirt is a great fertilizer to use—you can simply shake it onto the top of the soil before watering or mix it directly into the water.
Propagation
The best way to propagate a hoya is through stem cuttings. Simply cut a stem or two containing a node and a couple of leaves and stick it in water, sphagnum, or soil. A mature hoya plant (more than 3 years old) develops flowers on the older stems so removing old, long stems may result in the loss of future flower buds.
Troubleshooting
Leaf shriveling: this is usually due to underwatering or too little humidity; give it a nice drink and re-examine in a day or two
Leaf yellowing: this is most likely a problem with overwatering; carefully remove from container and check for root rot
Hoya hasn’t flowered: it may not be getting enough sun; try moving it to a different spot; you may also need to give it a boost with a blooming fertilizer. Never remove old stems as this is where flower buds form.
Flowers fall off before opening: this may mean that the soil was dry or wet for too long
Mealybugs: hoyas are pretty resistant to pests, but they can still get mealybugs. If you have a mealybug problem on your hoya, take it to the shower or sink and run a steady stream of water on the leaves to wash them away. Next, spray your plant with neem oil, making sure to get both the tops and bottoms of the leaves. Let it sit for a few minutes before carefully wiping down the plant with a paper towel to remove any remaining bugs. Repeat this process again in about 7 to 10 days.
In Summary
Hoyas are beautiful, low-maintenance indoor plants. If you don’t have at least one yet, we recommend closing this article and going to buy one right now! Some great varieties to start with are the Hoya carnosa, Hoya obavata, and Hoya publicalyx.