Looking for a low-maintenance, yet stunning addition to your plant collection? Look no further than the Hoya carnosa! This vine thrives in tropical settings and is known for its beautiful, fragrant flowers. Unlike other jungle plants, this semi-succulent doesn’t require constant watering. Here’s everything you need to know to take care of your new wax plant.
Are you on the hunt for a unique addition to your houseplant collection? Look no further than Hoya carnosa, also known as the wax plant or Hindu rope plant. This indoor plant is a classic choice and features beautiful, sweet-scented blooms that are widely admired. With its easy-care nature, it’s a perfect option for beginners and there are numerous varieties available to collect! To successfully grow a Hoya carnosa in your home, ensure it receives bright indirect light and is planted in gritty, well-draining soil. Watering should be done once the soil has dried halfway. Enjoy the beauty and fragrance of this stunning plant in your own home.
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Meet Hoya carnosa: commonly known as the wax plant. This charming plant is a proud member of the dogbane family, scientifically referred to as Apocynaceae. It falls under the asclepiads or milkweeds subfamily, named for the white, milky sap that they produce. Interestingly enough, if you have ever grown milkweed before, you might observe the uncanny resemblance between it and the wax plant, from their petite and exquisite star-shaped flowers.
Wax plants are unique houseplants with oval leaves and spindly stems. They are semi-succulent because they can store water in their foliage, making them more tolerant to underwatering than other plants. Similar to cacti and succulents, wax plants use a water-saving variation of photosynthesis called CAM. This allows them to only open their leaf pores at night when the air is cooler and more humid, helping them conserve water.
The flowers of the Hoya carnosa, or wax plant, are a standout feature and a popular reason for its cultivation. In spring or summer, it produces large clusters of soft pink star-shaped blooms with a fine layer of fuzz. These flowers have a sweet aroma, sometimes compared to chocolate, and produce an abundant amount of nectar that can be seen oozing from the flower cores. It is important to place paper towels under the flowers as the nectar is very sticky and can make a mess on furniture or floors. Each inflorescence can have up to 50 individual flowers.
Just a quick fun fact for all the plant lovers out there: Did you know that Hoya flower nectar is not poisonous and actually tastes just as good as the flowers smell? If you’ve ever indulged in licking your wax plant’s flowers, don’t worry, you’re not alone!
This popular houseplant can be found in (sub)tropical areas of Asia, specifically in China, Laos, Taiwan, and Japan, and some sources also mention its presence in Queensland, Australia, and Fiji. The Hoya carnosa thrives in tropical or subtropical rainforests and grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte, meaning it can anchor itself onto trees or rocks without harming them, using any available soil or debris.
Wax plants are known for their vining nature and can climb to great heights if given the opportunity. Interestingly, in its natural range, Hoya carnosa is pollinated by moths. These nocturnal insects are attracted to the flowers’ strongest scent and nectar production at night, causing the plants’ pollen to stick to their legs and leading to successful pollination.
If you’re interested in learning about the different types of Hoya carnosa cultivars and hybrids, it’s important to know that there is a lot of controversy surrounding this topic. Some of the established cultivars have known origins, but there are also many whose origins are uncertain. It’s worth noting that some nurseries will label any unpatented wax plant variety with a new name to make it appear more valuable and sell it for a higher price, even if it’s not actually a unique variety. Therefore, it’s wise to be cautious before spending a significant amount of money on a Hoya plant. Unfortunately, there is no official directory or control over Hoya carnosa varieties, aside from patents which are not always filed. This can lead to confusion among growers and buyers alike. In addition to the more common Hoya varieties, there are several notable cultivars to keep an eye out for, such as Hoya carnosa ‘Stardust’, ‘Wilbur Graves’, ‘Chelsea’, ‘Jade’, ‘Brazil’, ‘Snowball’, ‘Amore’, ‘Holliana’, ‘Nova Ghost’, and ‘Grey Ghost’. While these varieties may be unique in their own way, it’s important to gather as much information as possible to avoid paying elevated prices for seemingly similar plants. Several reputable sellers of Hoya carnosa plants include Brumley and Bloom, Florida Plants Gardens, The Longevity Garden, and Planty Crew.
Taking Care of Hoya Carnosa
Light and Temperature
Research has shown that Hoya carnosa can adapt to both shaded and exposed conditions, making it a great climbing epiphyte/lithophyte. To ensure growth without burning, place the plant next to a window that receives bright, indirect light or use grow lights. The plant prefers temperatures of 59°F or higher but can tolerate chilly conditions and must not be exposed to frost.
Water and Humidity
Contrary to popular belief, Hoya carnosa is not a succulent and requires moisture. Water the plant when the top of the soil has dried out during summer and halfway during winter. The plant requires high humidity levels, so use a humidifier if your home is dry.
Soil and Planting
Hoya carnosa naturally grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte, using rocks or trees as support while climbing. The plant prefers gritty and well-draining soil, with a mixture of commercial succulent/cactus soil, fine orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir or sphagnum moss. Choose a planter that has a drainage hole and allows the plant to hang or climb.
Fertilizing
Hoya carnosa is not a heavy feeder and benefits from balanced regular houseplant fertilizer once or twice a month during the active summer growing months. It is not necessary to fertilize during winter.
Recommended Products for Hoya Carnosa Plant Care
– Hoffman Organic Cactus and Succulent Soil Mix
– Soil Sunrise Philodendron Houseplant Potting Soil
– Perfect Plants Organic Perlite
– Better-Gro Orchid Bark
– Totem Monkey Extendable Coir Moss Poles
– Houseplant Resource Center Liquid Fertilizer for Houseplants
– Instant Biologics Instant Plant Food (Fizzing Nutrient Tablets)
– Maxsea All-Purpose Seaweed Plant Food
Trimming
When it comes to trimming your wax plant, there’s not much to worry about. Simply remove any dead or unsightly leaves as needed. However, if you find yourself needing to cut off entire vines, don’t just toss them away! Instead, check out our propagation section to learn how to multiply your plant.
Splitting or Transplanting
If your Hoya carnosa is getting too big for its pot, you have a couple options. One option is to separate one or two of the vines from the main plant to give it more space. However, keep in mind that this may result in a less full appearance. If you prefer a fuller look, you can simply repot the plant in fresh soil and move up one pot size during the spring. As these plants are okay with being a bit cramped, you likely won’t need to do this every year.
The wonderful art of propagation allows you to transform one plant into several without spending a penny. And guess what? You can definitely do this with a wax plant, and it’s not at all difficult! To ensure successful propagation, it’s best to carry out the process during spring or summer, just like with any other indoor plant.
If you’re looking to obtain cuttings from your Hoya carnosa, removing some parts of its vines is an excellent way to go about it. Don’t forget to include a few leaves when you snip off a section of the vine. Once you’ve done that, all you need to do is to place the cutting in some fresh, slightly moist soil or set it in water until it develops roots and then pot it up later.
Growing your own collection of wax plants is a breeze since vine cuttings have a high success rate in rooting. You can easily build a sizeable stock of these plants to keep for yourself or share with others.
