The evergreen hoya vine is native to southern countries such as Australia, Polynesia, and Southeast Asia. It grows on mountain slopes and the trunks of various trees. Its glossy, oval- or heart-shaped leaves are varied in color. They range from dark green to vibrant, with a variety of patterns.
The "Fleshy" variety is most often grown indoors. This plant, with its six-meter-long stems, can grace any wall. Wax ivy is characterized by lush, long-lasting blooms, making it a welcome addition to any apartment. Hoya requires little care indoors and thrives in homes and offices.
Characteristics of the variety and species diversity
There are about two hundred species of this attractive plant found in the wild. Indoors, it thrives near well-lit windows. Indoor varieties don't need to be moved outdoors.
There are three large groups of Hoya varieties:
- ampelous, hanging varieties;
- erect flowers;
- climbing ivy.
Until recently, only a few species were common among houseplants, but today there are many more. The photo shows how spectacular wax ivy is and how captivating its blooms are.
Hoya carnosa
This variety is a vine growing up to six meters in length. Its glossy, fleshy leaves are oval or heart-shaped, and umbels of star-shaped white flowers are adorned with pink crowns in the center. This species blooms profusely from early spring until late summer, filling the interior with a pleasant fragrance.
Majestic
In the wild, the plant grows as a shrub with oblong, oval-shaped leaves that are borne on drooping petioles. Purple stars of fragrant flowers with a white crown in the center are gathered in neat umbels of 6-10. This Hoya delights with its blooms throughout the spring and summer.
Concave
The branches of this variety resemble cascading vines with diamond-shaped leaves that have curled edges. When young, the shoots of this flower are characterized by a reddish-brown hue, but with age they turn green. The flowers, with a white, hairy corolla and a yellow center, form umbrella-shaped inflorescences.
Multiflora
This beauty amazes many home gardeners with its lush blooms and abundance of beautiful buds. If you place this plant on an east- or west-facing window and use supplemental artificial lighting in winter, it will delight you with its miniature, lemon-scented rocket-shaped flowers all year round.
Multiflora grows as a bush with large, glossy leaves. New flower stalks form along with the leaves. The inflorescences contain 15-20 yellow-white flowers that bloom and last for about 10 days. A single flower stalk can bloom several times.
You may be interested in:Carnosa
This succulent vine has gained widespread popularity due to its low maintenance. It requires loose, light soil with good drainage and aeration, good lighting, and moderate watering. Carnosa is characterized by dark green leaves with silvery highlights. Its umbel-shaped inflorescence contains 15-20 star-shaped flowers adorned with a red corolla. The fragrance of the flowering plant intensifies significantly in the evening.
Bella
Hoya pulcherrima is a shrub whose drooping stems are lushly covered with small leaves. In the wild, this epiphyte grows on the branches of tropical forest trees. It gets its name from its beautiful flowers, which resemble small white stars with a purple crown in the center. Each umbel contains 7-9 flowers. This plant thrives in moderate light, high humidity, and a consistent temperature throughout the year.
Kerry
This species' distinctive feature is its heart-shaped leaves, which is why it's often called "Valentine." The downward-facing flowers are gathered in spherical inflorescences of 15-25. The yellow, pink, and white coloring depends directly on the room's lighting. As Kerry grows and ages, the flowers darken. This is due to the nectar. The drooping stems with large leaves often need to be tied up.
Tricolor
The tricolor Hoya variety is distinguished by its thick, differently colored leaves with white or pink veins. This beautiful, hardy plant produces new umbel-shaped inflorescences throughout the year. Tricolor delights with the wonderful fragrance of its beautiful scarlet flowers. This plant tolerates winter well and can bloom for decades, stunning in its beauty.
Compact
This Hoya species is distinguished by its unusually curled leaves. During flowering, Compacta produces spherical flower heads containing 25-30 fluffy pink flowers. This plant is characterized by its low maintenance, vigorous growth, and beautiful blooms.
Rules for caring for hoya at home
Maintaining this plant indoors or in an apartment doesn't require much attention. Growing and caring for Hoya doesn't require frequent watering, spraying, or repotting. This flower thrives even in nutrient-poor soil.
You may be interested in:Lighting and temperature
Hoya is a sun-loving plant. It is recommended to place it near east- or west-facing windows. When grown on a south-facing window, it is best to protect the plant from direct midday sun. Some varieties of this plant have different sun requirements. For example, specimens with thin leaves require indirect light, partial shade, and a moist soil.
Species with light green, drooping leaves require more sunlight. Species with darker foliage prefer shade. Newly acquired plants should be acclimated to sunlight slowly and carefully. On the other hand, insufficient light directly affects flowering of this species.
The optimal summer temperature for the plant is between 22-25 degrees Celsius. In winter, the air temperature should not drop below 15°C (59°F), as some species may suffer severely. For example, Hoya Bella loses leaves in the cold. On the other hand, winter temperatures above 20°C (68°F) will negatively impact the plant's flowering.
Watering and fertilizing
Although Hoya doesn't have a distinct dormancy period when grown indoors, if its growth slows, it's recommended to reduce watering and stop fertilizing the soil. This usually occurs when daylight hours decrease significantly.
During the active growth period from March to October, this houseplant requires generous watering. It is recommended to use soft, settled water slightly above room temperature. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out. Reduce watering from November to March.
Although the plant doesn't require humidification, its leaves can be misted during hot weather. However, avoid allowing water to come into contact with the flowers. In spring and summer, fertilize the plant approximately twice a month using a complex mineral fertilizer. This is not necessary in winter and fall.
Trimming
Although such treatments aren't essential for Hoya, regular pruning is necessary. This can help make the plant more lush and branched, shaping its crown. When choosing a pot, choose a heavy one. This will prevent it from tipping over. The vine itself is pulled along strings taut around the pot in the desired direction.
It's best to use pruning shears to cut the stem between the nodes. This is recommended after four leaves have appeared on the branches. Please note that this plant is poisonous. The intense scent of the flowers often causes headaches, and physical contact with the leaves can trigger skin inflammation.
Diseases and pests
Almost all indoor Hoya varieties are characterized by good resistance to pests and diseases. If the plant's care is significantly compromised during cultivation, such as overly dry soil or excessively high temperatures, the likelihood of pests such as scale insects and red spider mites increases.
In such cases, it's recommended to wipe the plant's leaves with a sponge and soapy water and treat them with insecticides. Furthermore, the root system can be attacked by certain types of nematodes. To prevent this, steam the new substrate before repotting.
Potential problems with flower growth and development, their causes, and solutions are summarized in the following table:
| Pathological disorders | Possible reasons for deviations | Solution to the problem |
|---|---|---|
| Spots on the surface of leaves | Sunburn, poor lighting | Moving the plant to a brighter location |
| Lack of flowering | High winter temperatures, insufficient light | Shower with warm water for stimulation |
| Falling leaves | Excessive moisture, strong cooling of the soil | Normalize watering, move the flower to another place |
| Curling, drying, and lightening of leaves | Bright strong sun | Move to shadow |
| Pale leaves, slow growth | Depleted soil | Replant the plant |
| Falling of flowers and buds | Too hot and dry air | Create a more suitable microclimate |
Reproduction
This plant can be grown from seeds, although this method is rarely used. To do this, ripe and well-dried seeds are harvested and placed in loose soil containing crushed sphagnum moss and potting soil.
A week after the first shoots appear, provide moderate moisture to the soil. Place the container with the seedlings in a warm, well-lit area. To prevent fungal diseases, it is recommended to treat the soil with a copper-containing solution. After about three months, the leafy seedlings can be transplanted into individual pots.
Since it's difficult to obtain seeds at home, a simpler method is propagation by cuttings. These should be short, but have 2-4 leaves. The cuttings can be rooted in water or soil. For the former, use a container wrapped in foil on all sides.
Only the top leaves should be left on the cutting, and the lower part, after treating the cut with rooting hormone, should be placed in water so that the bottom node is submerged. It is recommended to place a plastic bag over the top to increase humidity. After about two weeks, the plant should be transplanted to its permanent location.
You may be interested in:Transfer rules
Due to their rapid growth, it's recommended to repot young plants every spring. Mature plants require soil changes once every three years. Hoyas thrive in a neutral substrate. A universal substrate for indoor flowering plants can be used.
It's important to create a good drainage layer at the bottom using expanded clay or broken brick. This will prevent waterlogging. For repotting, it's recommended to use only a new pot with drainage holes in the bottom, thoroughly washing it with soap beforehand. To encourage flowering, use a tight container, while for vigorous shoot growth, a more spacious pot is needed.
Frequently asked questions about growing hoya
Hoya is an ornamental plant that's perfect for vertical landscaping indoors. With proper care, you can enjoy its blooming beauty almost year-round.
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