Hoya: a complete guide to caring for the wax plant
Hoya, also known as wax plants, are loved for their waxy foliage and wonderful flowers, which come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Hoya adapt well to different environments and needs, offering splendid blooms with proper care.
In this guide, we will discover some of the varieties, learn more about the species, and find out some tricks to keep them healthy and achieve abundant blooming.
Origins and characteristics of Hoya
Hoya belong to the Apocynaceae family, particularly widespread in Southeast Asia, Australia, and Polynesia.
The genus name is a tribute to the botanist Thomas Hoy, gardener to the Duke of Northumberland.
Hoya have fleshy and thick leaves, as they store water reserves that make them resistant to short periods of drought.
Why everyone loves Hoya
But the real question is: why do all plant lovers adore Hoya? There's a kind of "Hoya fever" in the air! Everyone is looking for different Hoya species, and everyone wants them. The answer is simple.
Beauty of the leaves
Hoya leaves differ in type, color, shape, and venation, offering an incredible visual variety even when they are not in bloom.
Spectacular and fragrant flowers
Their flowers are what really put on a show: star-shaped, waxy, clustered in umbels. Each Hoya produces a different bloom in shape and color, but also with a different fragrance (more or less sweet, more or less fresh, caramel, orange blossom, etc.).
The fragrance of Hoya is generally very intense and tends to be particularly strong (sometimes, I would say almost overpowering!) in the evening. This is a natural adaptation of the plant, useful for attracting pollinating insects.
Hoya varieties: from the most common to the most complex
The Hoya genus currently comprises over 500 species. Among these, they range from the most popular, through those that are more or less easily managed, to those that are most difficult to care for.
To mention a few, we can take some example species and touch upon their difficulty level and preferences:
- Hoya Compacta
Hoya Compacta is particularly fascinating thanks to its deeply intricate and intertwined leaves.
- Difficulty level: medium
- Growth: grows slower than other Hoya
- Pests: its "curled" appearance is an appealing place for mealybugs
2. Hoya Calycina: a rare Hoya
Hoya Calycina is among the rare Hoya, uncommon and not widespread, but highly sought after. It is a Hoya of double wonder: leaves and flowers. It is distinguished by the large size of its flowers (unlike many other Hoya, which produce small flowers) and its leaves, which are wide, green, and very soft.
- Difficulty level: medium
- Growth: grows slower than other Hoya
- Preference: given its volume, it needs support to develop healthily. Support is also necessary for abundant flowering.
Simple Hoya: perfect for beginners
If you're just getting into the world of Hoya, this is a selection of some of the most popular and easy-to-grow Hoya.
The perfect combination: unique and easy-care Hoya
If you're looking for a more unique but still easy-to-grow Hoya, then you simply must add these two gems to your collection!
How to grow Hoya: care and tips
Light
Hoya love bright, indirect light. The amount and type of light received is crucial for flower development.
Watering
As semi-succulents with fleshy leaves that store water, Hoya do not like waterlogging. Water your Hoya when the substrate is dry (or almost dry, depending on the species and humidity requirements).
Humidity
Hoya prefer medium to high humidity. Some Hoya are more tolerant and thrive even with lower humidity levels. Others, however, are more demanding (e.g., Hoya Imbricata) and might react negatively.
Substrate
Hoya substrate should be light, well-draining, and retain the right amount of moisture. Aroid mix is undoubtedly the ideal choice to meet their needs.
Fertilization
Fertilizing Hoya is essential for developing abundant and long-lasting blooms. In spring and summer, it is crucial to supplement with NPK. Take a look here if you have problems with your Hoya not flowering.
How to make Hoya bloom
If your Hoya is healthy and happy but not blooming, keep an eye on these parameters:
- Give it time: make sure your Hoya is mature enough to bloom.
- Light: ensure it receives plenty of indirect light, or flowering will be sparse or completely absent.
- Repotting: Hoya do not like to be repotted frequently. Their preference is to live in a fairly small pot that keeps their roots tight and compact.
- Fertilization: fertilize regularly to give it an energy boost; flowering requires a lot of effort!
- Water stress: slightly reducing watering, maintaining "mild water stress" in winter, helps stimulate flowering for the following spring.
Hoya peduncles: to cut or not to cut?
The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT: do not cut the "empty" peduncles of your Hoya!
Once flowering has finished, the peduncles will be necessary for the plant to re-flower from the same spot the following year.
Cutting the peduncles means compromising your plant's future blooms!
3 comments
Ne ho due piccolette che curo con grande attenzione
dove deve stare in inferno?
Posso spruzzare acqua sulla pianta se si quanto