Q&A for How to Care for a Hoya Plant

Pot Hoyas in a well-draining potting mix. I suggest three-quarters of succulent mix with one-quarter general potting soil, though a full succulent mix is fine for them indoors, as long as the mix doesn't contain any compost.

Hoyas are semi-succulents, so you can let the soil dry out quite a bit in between watering. I suggest letting the soil dry out about three-quarters of the way before you water them again, because they hold a lot of water in the leaves themselves.

Hoyas need a lot of natural light, but too much direct sun can cause sunburn. Ideally, keep them directly in front of a northern or eastern window, or keep them within 3-5 feet from a southern or western window.

No! Leaves (and blooms) will appear along those vines in good time.

Repotting it in a container just one size larger than the one it is in would be better than thinning it.

It is a nectar just like honey.

Simply cut and submerge the cutting in water. Roots will form in a month and will be ready for soil.

It should have at least 3 to 4 hours of indirect sunlight. Fertilizer every 2 weeks during spring and summer.

It's not advisable, it would likely cause the flowers to drop. The buds and flowers need time to develop. Disturbing/repotting them while they're blooming would likely cause the blooms to fall off.

You can repot it in exactly the same way, just be a little more gentle with it if it is large and old.

Do some pruning, make sure it's not over watered and is getting enough light (but not constant direct sunlight). They like light in spring and summer, but not constant strong light. Feed it with a regular plant food after you water it, then add a diluted solution of plant food.

Yes, I believe it is normal for the leaves to have speckles. I once read an article that said that the plants like to be root bound before they will flower. I had one and it had beautiful fragrant flowers. I kept it in a small hanging planter for over a year before it started to bloom.

Some Hoyas have curled leaves, but if you don't believe that this is supposed to be the case with yours, then it could possibly be due to overwatering or a lack of nutrition. Try feeding it some plant food. I usually water it half way before adding a diluted plant food to prevent burning the roots!

Let it get root bound and it will flower twice a year. It is a tropical plant and does not rely on rich soil, but instead on a very intricate root system. It loves to be dry before watering. Let all water run completely out of bottom of pot. Roots do not like being wet. Opposite of clematis, which love wet feet.

You are most likely watering it too often, which can cause the leaves to become yellow. Only water your plant when the soil is dry.

This can be caused by moving or over-watering the plant. The buds take time to open, so don't move your plant when you start to see flower buds. Patience is key!

Put a wooden stake into the soil beside the plant and use gardening tape to tape the plant to the wooden stake.

Start them in a small pot, let them grow a bit, then transplant them in the ground.

It is generally better to prune most any plant while it is in active growth. In most climates, this is likely to be spring when they come out of a winter rest and into the longer growing days of spring. Be aware that pruning a mature plant might reduce flowering for some time.

Remove the yellow leaves, and let the potted plant dry out completely between watering. Mine has been in this pot for ten years, and I water it no more than once a month. I get two or three blooms each year, and the last time there were more than 100 flower clusters.

Yes. If they become yellow, leave them without water for a few days. The color should begin to return.

When you water, make sure you empty the drip tray. Do not let the pot sit in water. Make sure you let the soil almost dry out before you water.

Give it fertilizer, every 2 weeks or so during spring/summer and less frequently during the colder months. Also, yes, you should prune your plant so that only healthy looking leaves are left.

No! Eventually, with the right care, leaves and blooms may grow from those vines.

I’d give it 3+ years after getting it before repotting. I could tell mine was pretty pot-bound when the water seemed to just flow right through without soaking anything up.

Hoya will always grow long vines. Allow vines to get 3 feet long. If the vines are too long for you, you can cut them back. You can propagate the cut vines to produce more plants.

If it is shriveling up, check the moisture. The plant being too dry will cause leaves to wrinkle, then curl and feel softer. Leaves will eventually drop off. Just water, then allow to dry out again.

I have always watered from the top, as hoya does not like soggy roots. I water until water starts dripping from the bottom of pot, then let it dry out again and repeat.

Insecticidal soap is safe for them; follow the directions and use as needed.

As the fungus develops, those black spots on leaves are ringed with yellow. Leaf to leaf during watering, treating black leaf spot should be first on your agenda.