Hoya Plant Care Guide
Bring nature indoors by installing hoya garden plants which can make a BIG difference, Interior plantscape is pretty amazing I have worked on many interior projects and have seen what can happen when the right garden plants are chosen and arranged in such a way to make a bold statement.
There are so many plants to choose from which can really take your interior to the next level in this article however we will be looking at the hoya plant which has gained so much attention seeing how to care for them getting the most use out of them making a BID difference.
Hoya plant care
What you will need to know
- Soil Type
- Containers
- Watering Methods
- Fertilizing Methods
- Garden insect pests of hoyas
- Disease of hoyas
- Lighting
- Temperature
- Humidity
The soil type
To keep your hoya garden plants performing at their best it is good to use a garden soil that is rich in soil organics, a good garden potting soil, compost, Orchid barks, or succulent and cactus mix. These potting mediums have good drainage absorbing the acquired water but allowing excess water to drain.
Containers
The containers should have drain holes for water to find a way of escape because trapped water will encourage plant root rot.
Watering Methods
When watering the soil or potting medium should be somewhat moist, not waterlogged.
Fertilizing Methods
The use of a quick or slow-release fertilizer where the nitrogen content meets the need of your hoya plant will work wonders.
Garden insect pests of hoyas
Hoyas are susceptible to garden insect pests such as thrips, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, spider mites, slugs, and snails. The use of insecticidal soap will bring these garden insect pests under control for the control of snails and slugs handpicking or snail bait will eliminate them.
Sooty Mold
Sooty mold is a black or dirt-like substance that forms on the plant leaves which takes away from the plant’s beauty. This mold will cause your hoyas to look sickly also sooty mold may interfere with photosynthesis which is the process by which plants produce their food.
Sooty mold is encouraged by these listed insect pests above so controlling or eliminating these garden insect pests will bring sooty mold under control.
Diseases of hoya plants
Keep an eye out for these diseases.
- Bacterial leaf spot
- Hard water spot
- Fungal leaf spot
Bacterial leaf spot
Bacterial leaf spot is encouraged by the cool temperature, signs show up as small translucent spots, the edges turn yellow and overtime enlargens becoming irregular. The center also takes on a reddish appearance. To prevent this disease avoid overhead irrigation and rotating plants. Plants that show these systems should be immediately removed and disposed of.
Hard water spots
The cause of hard water spots is brought on by using hard water to water your hoyas which causes white minerals to be deposited on the leaves. A home remedy that has proven to be effective is to mix a solution of a teaspoon of vinegar in two cups of water and in a circular motion being to wipe the surface of the leaves. Also, avoid wetting the underside of the leaves.
Fungal leaf spot
This disease is encouraged by the leaves being repeatedly wet with long periods of warm weather. Signs show up as tiny brown to black spots, as this disease progress, the spots will enlargen forming blotches. Your hoya plant may also experience leaf drop.
Give your hoyas the proper spacing of about 2-3 inches apart for air circulation and also avoid overhead irrigation.
Lighting
Your hoyas should be exposed to indirect sunlight, bright light is the right choice. Placing your plants near a south window will do wonders or purchasing grow lights and installing them will help.
Temperature
For your hoyas to perform their best avoid placing them neat heating vents, air condition, and windows from drafts.
Humidity
To give your hoyas the humidity they need to mist the leaves several times a week or fill the saucer with water and pebbles. Place the plants on the pebbles also make sure that the pot is not sitting in water.
Pruning your hoya plants
When it comes to pruning the hoya plant is not fussy at all, these plants require very little. If you come across a leaf or leaves which are dead, diseased, or damaged just simply remove them.
15 Hoya fun facts
1. The flowers of the hoya plant are shaped like stars.
2. Some hoya plants have leaves that are translucent and thin while others have leaves that are thick and succulent then there are those which have a mixture of silver-white in the leaves.
3. The flowers of the hoya plant bloom in clusters.
4. Hoyas are also known as wax plants because of their waxy white flowers.
5. The flowers of the hoya plants come in an array of colors.
6. The hoya plant is a tropical evergreen.
7. Hoyas belongs to a family of about 200-300 species of tropical plants.
8. In the wild, the Hoyas are known to be climbers climbing trees
9. The maintenance of the hoya plant is low.
10. Hoyas make great indoor plants.
11. Hoyas are believed to originate from Australia, Eastern Asia, and The Pacific island
12. Hoya plants can be propagated in water, simply take a cutting and place it in a glass or jar of water with the flowers above the water.
13. The flowers of hoyas grow in a ball shape.
14. Each hoya flower may contain up to 40 individual flowers.
15. Although there are more than 2oo species of hoya plant the most commonly grown species for house plants is the hoya carnosa.
The final word
Hoyas are great to add to your interior plantscape, these garden beauties can work wonders so gave them a try by connecting with nature, you will love the change it brings as you add colors creating a pleasing effect and a design that is so inviting.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.