Hoya Plant Care Guide: How to Grow Hoya Plants

Hoya plants, also called wax plants, honey plants, and porcelain flowers, comprise a large number of species from the genus Hoya. All come in the form of flowering vines or shrubs, and all are indigenous to Southeast Asia or Australia. True to their "wax plant" nickname, hoya plants have waxy succulent leaves that store moisture. Foliage tends to be variegated shades of green, and many species produce fragrant flower clusters.

Once established, hoya plants are relatively low-maintenance. They pair well with succulent plants and orchids, as all of these species do best in bright indirect light and well-draining soil. While celebrated as indoor plants (they do great in hanging baskets), some hoya species can also thrive outdoors in direct sun, where they are hardy growers.

The genus Hoya contains hundreds of different species. Consider a few of the most popular hoya cultivars.

1. 1. Hoya carnosa: When people talk about "wax plants," chances are they're referring to the standard-issue Hoya carnosa, which throws off long vines filled with waxy, ovular, green leaves. When gently fertilized, this plant will develop flower buds that eventually blossom into fragrant, cream-colored hoya flowers.
2. 2. Hoya carnosa ‘Rubra’: Also known as 'Krimson queen,' 'Krimson princess,' and 'Crimson prince,' this cultivar is beloved for its variegated green leaves, which include streaks of pink, cream, and yellow.
3. 3. Hoya carnosa variegata ‘Tricolor’: This is another variegated hoya plant with leaves that are accented with streaks of cream, yellow, and pink. Unlike 'Rubra,' 'Tricolor' tends to have a non-green border around the edge of each leaf. It sometimes produces purely pink or purely cream-colored leaves with only the faintest traces of green.
4. 4. Hoya carnosa 'Compacta': This hoya cultivar has curly green leaves that make its vines look thicker than they really are. It produces pink flowers in compact bunches that pop with color.
5. 5. Hoya obovata: This very hardy cultivar has rounder leaves than Hoya carnosa species (those are more oval-shaped), and it grows very quickly. This makes it a good candidate for propagation, usually via stem cuttings or layering.
6. 6. Hoya kerrii: This cultivar goes by different nicknames including "valentine hoya," "sweetheart plant," and "waxheart." Its very waxy green leaves grow in the shape of hearts, which gives it its nickname. Its vines grow much more slowly than those of Hoya carnosa varieties.
7. 7. Hoya pubicalyx: This variety has pointy green leaves, and it grows more like a shrub than a vine. While it won't produce brilliant flowers, it is drought-tolerant and non-toxic to pets, which makes it a good starter plant for those getting their feet wet with indoor gardening.

With over 200 species of hoya plants, care regimens can vary somewhat. However, the following rules generally apply.

1. 1. Provide well-draining soil. hoya plants are subject to root rot, and they should never be left in standing water. The best potting soil for these plants will be an equal combination of bagged potting mix, perlite, pumice, and either coconut husks or orchid bark.
2. 2. Avoid overwatering your plants. Most hoya plants are drought-tolerant, but if they sit in mucky soil or standing water, they will develop rootbound diseases.
3. 3. Provide warm temperatures and indirect light. hoya plants typically do best with indirect light. Those with thicker, waxier leaves can retain more moisture, so you can place them in a south-facing or west-facing window that gets more direct sun.
4. 4. Support climbing vines. Some indoor gardeners let hoya vines spread over their shelves. Others put them in hanging baskets so the vines can dangle in the air. If you want the plant to grow upward, provide a trellis and let the vines go to work.
5. 5. Keep an eye on pests. hoya plants can be susceptible to mealybugs and aphids. Inspect the leaves and if you suspect any pests, wipe them with water or with a thin layer of neem oil.
6. 6. Propagate hoya plants via stem cuttings. You can easily get new plants from your existing hoya plant if you take cuttings from their ample vines. Take a stem cutting with at least two nodes, then place the cuttings in a small jar of room temperature water and watch their base to see if roots form. This will take a couple of weeks. Once you see roots, transfer the plant to your potting mix. You can also try keeping your cuttings in sphagnum moss or coconut coir as you wait for roots to form.

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