Looking for a unique houseplant to add to your collection ? Today ’s hypnotism is Hoya carnosa , a classic indoor plant life also known as the wax plant life or Hindu rope plant . This species is widely appreciated for its beautiful , wonderfully scented blooms . It ’s an leisurely - tutelage houseplant ( perfect for beginners ) and there are loads of different varieties to collect !
Keep read for everything you need to know about Hoya carnosa forethought and how to grow a wax plant in your own family .
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About Hoya carnosa
Description
The wax industrial plant , scientifically known as Hoya carnosa , is a member of the dogbane ( Apocynaceae ) kinsfolk . Specifically , it belongs to a subfamily called the asclepiad or milkweeds , a name that cite the latex - like milky sap that its fellow member produce . In fact , if you ’ve evergrown milkweed , you might notice the striking similarities in the dainty , adept - shaped flower .
Wax plants have loggerheaded , ellipse provide growing on spindly stem . They ’re considered semi - lush because they can store pee in their foliage , a characteristic that makes them more large-minded of underwatering than many other houseplant .
Like cacti and succulent , this mintage in reality uses a water supply - make unnecessary variation of photosynthesis known as CAM ( Crassulacean dot metabolism ) . I ’ll spare you all the nerdy details , but essentially , being a CAM works grant Hoya carnosa to only open its leaf pores at dark . Because the air is cooler and more humid during nighttime , this facilitate it save water .
The most dramatic part of a wax plant , and one of the understanding so many mass grow it , is its flower . Hoya carnosa produces tumid , round cluster of blooms in spring or summer , which consist of many small single prime . One florescence can have up to 50 !
The flowers are gentle pinkish and star - form , cover in a very fine layer of cop . They smell divinely sweet ( oftentimes like chocolate ! ) and grow so much ambrosia that you’re able to sometimes see drops oozing and falling from the flower nub . This nectar is very sticky , so you may want to place a few newspaper publisher towel under the flowers to preclude it from end up all over your piece of furniture or flooring .
By the mode … Hoya efflorescence nectar is non - toxic and it tastes just as right as the flowers smack . If you ’ve ever licked your wax plant ’s flowers , have a go at it that you ’re not alone !
Natural habitat
This pop houseplant is native to ( sub)tropical area in Asia . Specifically , it ’s naturally found in China , Laos , Taiwan , and Japan , although some sources also note its presence in Queensland , Australia , as well as Fiji .
Hoya carnosa prefers tropic or subtropical rainforests . Here , it grow mostly like an epiphyte or lithophytic plant : on Tree ( in a non - epenthetic style ) or on rocks , using any bits of grime or dust present to help anchor itself . ( This conduct can be seen on other epiphytic / lithophytic houseplants , including favorites likeHoya kerrii , Syngonium genus Podophyllum , Peperomia prostrata , Tillandsia , andEpiphyllum . )
Wax plants are vining in nature and can climb to large heights if dedicate the chance .
Did you know?
In its natural reach , Hoya carnosa is pollenate by moths . The moth walk across the blossom clusters looking for tasty ambrosia , stimulate the plant ’ pollen to stick to their legs . This explains why scientists have launch the flowers ’ scent as well as nectar yield to be strongest at night : it helps the Hoya to attract these nocturnal insects .
Hoya carnosa varieties
If you desire to jazz more about the different cultivars and hybrids of Hoya carnosa , it ’s important to keep in mind that this topic is widely scrap . Like , reallydisputed , as far as plants go . There are some old , established cultivars , but there are also many whose origins seem a little iffy .
Hoya enthusiasts often note that nurseries will slap any name on an unpatented wax flora variety just to be able to pretend it ’s something shiny and new . This grant them to trade the plant for more money , sometimes into the C of dollars !
That ’s why you should take any young wax plant life mixture being hyped online ( which befall a lot ) with a food grain of salt . It ’s always a good theme to think twice before shelling out a lot of money for a Hoya .
It does n’t help that there ’s no real directory useable , nor official control besides patents ( which definitely are n’t always lodge ) . I ’ve tried to gather the most extensive selective information potential to hopefully disgorge some light on the matter and clear up some confusion !
In addition to the more commonHoya form discourse in my Hoya works roundup , you ’re also probable to come across these cultivars :
Where to buy
Hoya carnosa plants
Caring for Hoya carnosa
Light and temperature
Scientists have actually done a mo of research into Hoya carnosa Christ Within requirements . They discover that sometimes , information propose that the industrial plant was better adapted to shaded conditions under the woods canopy . Other time , though , it seemed to favor exposed conditions , or full Lord’s Day .
closing ? Both seem to work well , which make gumption for a mounting epiphyte / lithophyte like this . After all , some of its leafage can be under the canopy , while others are disclose to full sunshine .
In the base , the best way to ensure yours grows well without burn is to come in it next to a windowpane that encounter hopeful , collateral lighting . Artificial lighting ( grow lights ) also works well .
In term of temperature , this works is relatively absolvitory . Unlike many of our tropical favourite ( Alocasias , I ’m looking at you ) , Hoyas also rise in subtropical forests , meaning they ’re better adapted to parky conditions . They prefer temp of 59 ° fluorine or up , but will generally be fine as long as they ’re not scupper to frost .
Water and humidity
Although its waxy leaves may seem to paint a picture that you should treat your Hoya carnosa like a succulent , that ’s not exactly the pillowcase . After all — as we discussed in the subdivision on home ground — this species actually course grow in rain forest !
It ’s true that these forest can be subject to teetotal periods , which is why wax plants evolve to be semi - succulent and are reasonably forgiving about underwatering . However , they really do prefer wad of wet .
For the best results , water your Hoya carnosa once the top of its soil has dry out . During the active summer month , you could water when the first 2 inches or so feel ironic when you stand by a finger into the heap .
In winter , when houseplants need less water supply , it ’s generally good to hold back until the soil has dry about halfway .
Like many pop hobo camp - y houseplants , your wax plant wo n’t be a fan of low humidness . Not surprising , since moisture floor in its born habitat tend to vibrate between 90 to 99 percent for most of the year ! If your home is on the juiceless side , which can happen during winter in finicky , you may get hold that your plants will gain vigor up more from the use of a humidifier .
Soil and planting
As you ’ve interpret in the section on Hoya carnosa ’s lifelike habitat , this houseplant naturally raise as an epiphyte or lithophyte . It uses rocks or trees as support while it climb its style to the top of the jungle , rather than growing in grunge .
This natural way of growing affects how you should pot your wax works in the home . It wo n’t appreciate being grown in a heavy soil medium : its root are n’t used to being constrained or cut off from sizable airflow . So , gritty and well - debilitate soil works best .
Mixing your own Hoya carnosa soil is n’t too much of a challenge . All growers have their own preferences , with some cultivating their Hoyas in pure grit without any append potting grime . For our menage mixing , though , the easiest solution is something like this :
If you find the soil dry out a little too quickly , you could impart a fistful of coco coir or sphagnum moss for better water system retention .
When it comes to choosing a planter , the first step is to consider whether you require to let your wax plant advert or climb . These Hoyas are unremarkably trade as hanging plant , and they do calculate great in a nice hang field goal where their vine are allow to cascade .
However , as we ’ve institute out , they ’re actually vining climbers . Yours would love to be allowed to climb a totem or trellis !
Whatever type of plantation owner you terminate up prefer for your wax plant , remember that it should always have a drainage mess .
Recommended products for Hoya carnosa plant fear :
Fertilizing
Because Hoya carnosa is n’t precisely the quickest grower among houseplants , the species is n’t a very heavy bird feeder either . That does n’t mean it wo n’t enjoy a small cost increase during the active summer turn months , though !
you could habituate a balanced regular houseplant plant food once or twice a month to verify your wax flora grow well . Some partizan recommend switching to a fertiliser that has a little more blossom - boosting phosphorus if it await like your plant is pitch up to flower , but this is n’t a must .
You do n’t have to fertilize during wintertime .
urge fertilizers for Hoya carnosa plant :
Pruning
Your wax works wo n’t need much in the way of pruning . you’re able to remove any dead or unsightly leaves , but if you trim intact vines for one reason or another , it would be a pity to discard those . Instead , head over to the section on propagation so as to find out how to procreate them .
Dividing or repotting
safe question ! Most specimen of Hoya carnosa consist of several vine rooted in the same planter . This means that once the plant outgrows its commode , you could count separating one or two of these to give the remain vines more space .
This being said , most folks prefer a full look , which removing vines can take off from . If you ’re in this camp , repotting can be done by freshen the grease and go one tummy size up during spring . Since these plants do n’t heed being a bite strangle , it ’s probably not something you ’ll have to do every class .
Propagating Hoya carnosa
Ahh , the magic of propagation — better known as turning one plant life into multiple for free . This is absolutely something you’re able to do with a wax plant , and quite easily as well ! As with all houseplants , propagating a wax flora is best done during spring or summertime .
remove ( parts of ) Hoya vine is a great manner to obtain cuttings . let in a few leaves when you shorten off a section of vine . All you have to do after this is pop out the slip in some new , light moist Hoya soil or determine it in water to root and mint it up after .
Vine cuttings should root readily , so it ’s prosperous to create your own army of wax plants to keep or give away .
Is Hoya carnosa toxic to cats and dogs?
Nope ! Although its white sap can front dangerous , Hoya carnosa is actually considerednon - toxic to animalsand homo . It ’s a great plant to farm if you have furbabies that are prostrate to munching on your greenery .
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