Plants can not only enhance and decorate your room, make it cozy, but also bring happiness. It is popularly believed that every indoor plant carries a certain energy that can affect a person’s life. It can even determine whether a person feels happy or not. One of these plants is the beautiful Hoya, hoya, wax ivy - a hanging plant for vertical gardening in a room. This plant should bring you great family happiness, especially if you place Hoya in the bedroom.
Hoya, hoya (Hoya), wax ivy is an evergreen vine from the family Asclepiadaceae. The genus Hoya, named after the English gardener Thomas Hoy, has about 200 species. Under natural conditions, Khoya is found in Southern China, Australia, and India. In nature, these vines spread on rocky slopes and in forests on tree trunks.
Among them there are hanging and curly ones; some species have antennae with which they cling to support. The leaves are oval and heart-shaped, in most species they are dark green, but there are also two or three colors, with spots and specks. Hoya compacta has curled leaves.
At home, one species is most often found - Hoya carnosa. This is a hanging plant with shoots up to 6-7 meters long. Hoya's dark green, leathery leaves are arranged oppositely. The surface of the leaf blade appears glossy, as if rubbed with wax, which is why the plant is called wax ivy.
Hoya is one of the few climbing indoor plants that bloom at home. Its flowers are graceful, white, pink, yellowish stars, collected in umbrella-shaped inflorescences. Hoya has a fleshy white corolla with a red center and has about 24 flowers in an inflorescence. Hoya has amazingly beautiful flowers - marshmallow-caramel from which sweet nectar oozes. The aroma is amazing!
Adult plants, with good lighting and proper care, bloom for a very long time and profusely.
An east or west window is suitable for hoya in an apartment; it grows well in winter on a south window. In the summer heat, leaves on sunny windows may lighten and dry out, and plant growth may slow down due to overheating.
Hoya compacta Hoya macgregorii Hoya limonica
Wax ivy is often used for vertical gardening in offices and apartments. Also used as a creeping ground cover plant in well-lit areas of the winter garden.
Hoya is an unpretentious plant: if you don’t think about it often, don’t move it from place to place, water it and replant it rarely, then it will delight you with long and abundant flowering. This is why wax ivy can often be found in office premises; sometimes this vine entwines the entire wall with its shoots.
Hoya imperialis
| Hoya incrassate | Hoya linearis |
Hoya bella
Much less common in homes are species such as Hoya imperialis, Hoya bella and Hoya longifolia, although they are not particularly capricious and caring for them does not require any special knowledge.
Hoya bella is a small evergreen, branched shrub with small leaves with hanging shoots up to 30-50 cm long. This is an epiphytic plant; it settles on the branches of tropical trees. Requires very moderate lighting, high humidity and uniform temperature throughout the year.
Hoya majestic (Hoya imperialis) has pubescent creeping shoots, its oval leathery leaves are up to 15-20 cm long. The flowers are collected in hanging umbels on pubescent short stalks, dark red, yellow on the outside, with a pleasant aroma.
Hoya longifolia
General rules for caring for wax ivy.
Hoya is not a capricious plant, does not require high humidity and frequent watering, grows well in poor soil, and does not need frequent replanting.
Temperature.
During the period of active growth, the optimal temperature is 17-25 C. In winter, 15 degrees is quite enough. Hoya can spend the whole winter even at 10 C. Hoya beautiful is more thermophilic and can lose leaves during a cold winter.
Lighting and location.
Wax ivy prefers bright light, but does not like direct sunlight in the summer. It grows well in a southern room, twining around the walls like an hanging plant.
The location cannot be changed - due to rearrangement, the hoya may lose all its buds and even shed its leaves. This is a permanent plant, so it is not suitable for summer gardening on balconies.
Humidity.
Humidity is not significant. Only Hoya beautiful grows better in a humid room. In summer, it is advisable to spray hoya.
Watering.
Watering is moderate, after the soil dries, and sparing in winter. The plant tolerates lack of moisture well. For good flowering in winter, water little.
Fertilizer.
Fertilizer is applied 2 times a month throughout the growing season, starting in March. In winter they do not feed.
Bloom.
Hoya blooms only in good light. For successful flowering, it is important to properly maintain this plant in winter. Wax ivy should grow in winter in a bright and cool (10-15 C) room; water it very little.
To stimulate flowering, the pot is immersed in warm water for 2 hours, and the entire plant is sprayed with water heated to 30-40 C.
After flowering, the flower stalks are not cut off - the next year new inflorescences appear on them.
The soil.
Hoya is not picky about soil; in nature it grows on rocky screes or on trees. It grows well in almost any soil; you can prepare a mixture of leaf, turf soil, humus, peat and sand in equal quantities or from clay-turf, leaf and greenhouse soil (2:1:1).
Good drainage is installed at the bottom of the pot so that the earthen ball does not become waterlogged and the roots do not rot.
Transfer.
All hoyas are replanted quite rarely, once every 2-3 years, sometimes less often. To stimulate abundant flowering, close containers are used. To achieve good shoot growth, it is better to choose a larger pot.
Be sure to have a hole in the bottom and good drainage.
Reproduction.
Hoya propagates by seeds, layering, but most often by cuttings.
Each cutting must have at least two pairs of leaves. Cut the cuttings between the nodes. Hoya cuttings take root in water or in a mixture of peat and sand. The roots appear after 3-4 weeks at a temperature of at least 20 C.
Stem layering allows you to get a flowering plant in the year of planting. To do this, make a small incision on the shoot of an old plant, cover it with damp moss and cover it with plastic film. When the roots appear, this part of the shoot with roots is cut off and planted in a pot. You can spread part of the stem on the soil in a new pot and secure it to the surface, covering it with damp moss. After rooting, separate from the mother plant.
For propagation, it is recommended to take parts of only mature, already flowering plants.
Crown formation.
For branching, plants are pinched after the formation of the 4th leaf. Shoots that are too long are cut off, which promotes intense flowering. The stems need support. Threads are often used to secure the plant to a window or wall.
You can use a ring of wire, the ends of which are simply placed in the pot. The pot should be heavy enough to prevent the plant from tipping over.
Diseases and pests.
All common types of hoya are resistant to pests and diseases, but with poor care (very high temperature, too dry air) they can be affected by scale insects and red spider mites. It is necessary to treat the plant with Actellik or another insecticide.
Hoyas are also affected by root nematodes. The soil for replanting must be steamed.
Possible problems.
Leaves fall off - excessive moisture or simply moved the plant to another window. “Leaf fall” also occurs when the soil is very cool in winter (for example, standing on a cold window or watering with cold water in the summer heat).
Spots on the leaves indicate a lack of light or, conversely, sunburn.
Hoya does not bloom - insufficient lighting or too warm wintering. You can try a warm shower for stimulation.
The leaves are too light, curl or dry out - the sun is too bright, it is better to shade the plant.
Flower buds and flowers fall off - plant movement or very dry and hot air.
Slow growth, leaves turning pale green - lack of nutrients in the soil. The plant needs to be replanted.
Many gardeners prefer liana-like plants, since they are ideal for landscaping apartments and, with their attractiveness, can give any room unique comfort. In addition, all vines come from tropical forests, so their flowers are bright and very large.
There are a huge number of representatives of such types of indoor plants for growing at home, but perhaps the most common of them is hoya.
Hoya care at home
Transplanting a flower immediately after purchase
Since the substrate for wax ivy is quite specific, it is better to replant it after purchasing
. In addition, in the store for sale, the plant is constantly fed with stimulants to maintain its shape.
There is no need to replant the plant at home every year. It is enough to do this only once every two years. In this case, the composition of the soil can not be changed, but it is better to take a more spacious one.
Correct lighting
During transplantation, special attention should be paid to the shoots of the plant; for example, shoots that are too long must be cut off. Flowering usually occurs on short shoots. This climbing plant needs bright light.
, it tolerates exposure to direct sunlight very well. True, when grown in the sun in extreme heat, it may get burned, so it is worth providing it with diffused lighting during the midday hours. To do this, you can use paper or translucent fabric: tracing paper, tulle, gauze.
The most suitable place for growing hoya at home is a window on the east or west side. A purchased flower that has been constantly in the shade should not be placed directly under the sun's rays
, he needs to be gradually accustomed to them. If you grow wax ivy on a window on the north side, then due to a lack of light it simply will not bloom.
In autumn and winter, indoor vines also need good lighting, but they do not need shading. In the spring, as the degree of illumination increases, one should also gradually accustom oneself to light in order to prevent burns.
Optimal temperature and watering for vines
Hoya leaves are quite dense, so they can easily tolerate dry indoor air. They need to be sprayed, but not too often. It should be monitored that during active plant growth
the earthen lump was not dry. In the summer and spring months, it should be watered as the top layer of soil dries out.
Wax ivy should be grown at an air temperature of 22 to 25 degrees, while frequently ventilating the room, but without exposing it to cold air. In winter, care involves
reducing watering and stopping spraying. At this time, it is necessary to maintain the temperature at 12-15 degrees.
During warm wintering, watering should be carried out depending on the temperature. However, in this situation, flowering may not be so abundant, because the buds are formed during this period at a temperature not exceeding 18 degrees. During cold wintering, Hoya should be watered extremely rarely.
. Over-wetting the soil can cause its shoots and leaves to fall off.
This climbing plant tolerates water showers well. Its leaves can be wiped with warm water to remove dust. You can use a regular sponge for these purposes. During bathing, all dried twigs and leaves must be removed
. Whenever possible, it is recommended to place the hoya outside in a light and warm rain, at which point it becomes even more attractive and lively.
Feeding an indoor flower
Fertilizers are applied only in spring and summer. At the same time, feeding wax ivy several times a month with complex mineral fertilizer. It is advisable to use products that are specifically designed for flowering succulent plants. If you regularly transplant an indoor flower into fresh soil, you don’t have to use fertilizing.
Hoya propagation methods
You can propagate wax ivy at home using different methods:
The first option is the most reliable and simple. The cutting must have several buds and leaves for successful rooting. For this purpose, it is advisable to cut off the shoots in the fall. They can be fixed in sand or water, and then make sure that the room temperature does not fall below 21 degrees
. To speed up the process, it is better to use a special product that stimulates root growth. You can buy it at any flower shop.
For successful propagation at home, care for the climbing plant must be optimal, especially when the seeds need to ripen. But this method of propagating hoya is very long and does not guarantee the appearance of seedlings.
Why doesn't the flower grow?
Most often, the reason for slowing or stopping growth is inappropriate growing technology or lack of proper care.
Common mistakes when growing Hoya:
- Wrong pot size.
- The amount of light received. Hoya loves bright lighting. But you shouldn’t overdo it, as in strong sunlight, burns appear on its leaves.
- Watering should be done rarely, only after the soil has completely dried.
- The soil. Fleshy, loose soil is suitable for growing.
We also talked about why hoya does not bloom and what to do about it. Read about this in another article.
Diseases and pests of vines
A flower like hoya is quite resistant to various negative situations. However , if the plant is kept in unsuitable conditions
and do not take care of it, it may develop problems with insects. Wax ivy can be attacked by various pests:
- Red spider mites;
- Scale insects;
To get rid of them, the plant must be treated with an insecticidal agent. However, some varieties of hoya with thick leaves can be simply wiped with alcohol. And for the purpose of prevention
and the fight against microscopic worms, the pot and soil when transplanting it must always be sterilized.
Noua (hoya)
Diseases of this climbing plant are most often caused by a deficiency of nutrients or light, as well as excessive watering. For example, due to lack of moisture, irregularly shaped leaves may form.
. With excessive watering and sudden temperature fluctuations, the plant is attacked by a fungus.
In many cases, wax ivy is affected by infectious diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. If a black, white or gray coating appears on its leaves, then most likely fungal spores are present. Rot may still appear due to microorganisms
, wilting and spotting. The flower can be cured by treating it with a copper-soap solution.
When a plant develops root rot, it is usually destroyed. Of course, you can try to save the hoya with colloidal sulfur or Bordeaux mixture.
The leaves of a flowering vine can be affected by powdery mildew. When this disease appears, a white coating forms on them. In advanced cases, the fungal disease covers the stems and buds
. To heal a flower, it is necessary to humidify the air, provide optimal care and improve ventilation in the room.
Common mistakes when caring for Hoya
If wax ivy is not pleased with its flowering at home, then the reason may be poor lighting, improper wintering, or lack of nutrients in the substrate. By the way, when cutting flower stalks, hoya may not bloom for several years
.
If you notice pale and curled leaves, you should pay attention to the temperature and lighting
. This problem usually occurs due to excessive sunlight or too low a temperature.
The leaves on the hoya begin to fall off greatly if the air in the room is too dry. It is also possible that it was watered with cold water. Plant growth slows down most often when there is a lack of nitrogen in the soil.
Can Hoya wax ivy be kept at home?
Quite often this question arises among amateur flower growers; their doubts are associated with a sign that states that ivy drives men out of the house. However, the home flower does not discourage anyone; on the contrary, it brings a lot of joy to the owners
and can decorate any apartment.
By the way, there are other signs, for example, you cannot bring a cactus - the husband will drink heavily, but, despite superstitions, many still keep it at home. But you really can’t put a pot of lilies in the bedroom
, because they inhale oxygen, and the room is filled with carbon dioxide. People with heart problems should not grow tuberose. You should also not keep cypress in your apartment, as it creates negative energy around itself.
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Many indoor plant lovers would like to see Hoya in their collection. At the same time, they are interested in why hoya does not bloom at home.
Hoya blooms due to light, heat and air humidity.
This beautiful vine, also called wax ivy, has very unusual blooms. Hoya flowers resemble small stars, cut out of thick paper and collected into elegant umbrellas. Each umbrella can contain up to 25 white, yellow or pinkish stars with a bright red center.
Lack of flowering significantly reduces the value and attractiveness of the plant. A list of certain measures will help not only to cause wax ivy to bloom, but also to prolong it as much as possible.
The benefits and harms of hoya
There is some truth in the legend about the negative influence of wax ivy during flowering. This is due to the fact that its flowers emit a strong aroma. It's pleasant, but in a small, enclosed space it can be annoying. Therefore, during flowering, it is better to take the ivy out of the bedroom and place it in a large room. If there are allergy sufferers in the house, then you may have to completely abandon growing indoor plants.
Many people are interested in whether hoya is poisonous or not? When damaged, all parts of the vine exude juice, which can irritate the mucous membranes. Therefore, when caring for wax ivy, precautions must be taken. It is also recommended to ensure that the leaves and flowers are not picked or chewed by children and pets.
In all other respects, hoya is a beautiful house plant with which you can decorate an apartment or house. And if you don’t believe in various signs and superstitions, and wax ivy is already growing in your house, or you just want to get it, familiarize yourself with the types and varieties of the flower, as well as the rules for caring for hoya at home.
Ideal place for wax ivy
Hoya fleshy is ideal for growing indoors; it does not require complex care and is extremely responsive to it. If the plant is initially planted in the right place, it will reward you with early flowering, accompanied by a very delicate and pleasant aroma of freshness.
When choosing a place for hoya, you must comply with 3 conditions that will be the key to the successful existence of the plant: light, warmth, fresh air. The more light it receives during the day, the faster it will form flower stalks. At the same time, the wax beauty does not tolerate unnecessary attention at all.
If you place the plant in the far corner, do not move it from place to place, do not rotate the pot, do not replant and rarely water it, the hoya will feel great. That is, we can say that wax ivy is an ideal plant for busy people who do not have enough time to care for their green pets on a daily basis.
Hoya loves to grow along walls.
Hoya loves walls and, given enough light and space, grows quite quickly. It can often be found in office spaces, where vine branches intertwine to create a living wall carpet.
At home, windows located on the east, southeast, west or southwest sides are suitable for wax ivy. In winter, if there is a lack of light, the plant can be moved to southern windows. Hoya does not have a dormant state, so the formation of peduncles can occur in winter.
In summer, plants on south-facing windows may overheat. This is immediately reflected in the appearance of the vine: growth slows down, the foliage becomes lighter and dries out. To restore ivy to its former beauty, it needs to be shaded.
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Experienced gardeners have identified several main factors affecting the growth of wax ivy. Attention must be paid to the size of the pot, type of watering, soil composition and age of the plant.
As already noted, hoya does not like frequent transplants; it grows well and blooms in small containers. If other plants need space for roots to grow, then the vine should be cramped. You need to choose a pot of such a size that the root system completely fills it and weaves into a tight lump.
Hoya is propagated by dividing the bush.
If you transplant Hoya at the wrong time, flowering will be delayed for a long time - sometimes up to 2 years. To achieve regular flowering, the plant needs to be replanted extremely rarely (every 5-7 years). A pot with a diameter of about 15 cm will be enough for an adult plant, but young ivy can be planted in a less spacious container.
What should you do if the vine refuses to set flower stalks? First of all, remember when the pot was last moved. There are cases when a plant delayed flowering for up to 2 years after being moved from place to place.
Then you need to determine the level of fresh air access. If access is obstructed by furniture, other indoor plants or curtains, you should move the vine to a more spacious place. However, placing wax ivy outdoors is undesirable.
Watering is one of the most important factors that directly affects the formation of flower stalks. Ivy should be watered as rarely as possible, after the substrate has completely dried. In summer, watering can be combined with spraying. This unpretentious beauty loves it when her fleshy waxy leaves are cleaned of dust using a spray bottle.
Some lovers of indoor plants, in order to achieve flowering, dry the earthen ball with the Hoya root system well in winter, and in the spring they begin to water it abundantly. This technique leads to the formation of numerous ovaries.
Another method is to create a state of dormancy, in which the pot with the plant is kept at a temperature no higher than 15°C and is rarely watered. No fertilizing or replanting is carried out. But, as experience shows, hoya often blooms regularly under normal conditions.
Due attention should be paid to the soil in which the plant is planted. Thus, a loose substrate has the best properties, providing maximum access of oxygen to the root system. It is best to use universal soil consisting of equal parts of peat, sand and humus. Occasionally, fertilizing is allowed: to stimulate flowering - with mullein, to maintain growth - with fertilizers for succulents and cacti.
When forming shoots, you should remember that hoya does not like interference in its life. If the shoots of a plant have drooped, it can be extremely sensitive to their garter, which will immediately affect flowering. It is necessary to wait until the branches of the wax beauty become long enough, and then gradually and carefully tie them to the support. However, it is not recommended to remove already dried inflorescences.
And the last recommendation. Some inexperienced gardeners cut off the long leafless shoot produced by an adult hoya: this should not be done, since this particular bare branch is the future peduncle of wax ivy. If the young plant is satisfied with the conditions, it can produce a peduncle already in the first year of life, before it is completely covered with foliage.
An unpretentious plant that can survive in not very comfortable conditions. However, achieving abundant and long-lasting flowering is not easy.
In order for hoya to bloom, it must grow in a well-lit place.
. Windows facing southeast, south and southwest, or areas located near such windows, are well suited for this light-loving plant. If for some reason the hoya cannot be placed on the windowsill, it must be positioned so that the shoots are directed towards the window, and not away from it. It is on such shoots that buds appear, and then flowers. High light intensity allows the plant to bloom profusely from spring to autumn.
In spring and summer, Hoya needs shading from direct sunlight, which causes the plant to overheat, as a result of which spots (burns) may appear on the leaves. Optimal summer temperature
for hoya +22-25 °C. She also likes frequent spraying, as well as ventilation, but without strong drafts.
In winter, hoya needs a period of rest
, during which summer growth ripens and flower buds are laid.
Otherwise, flowering will be sparse or not at all. The plant is placed in a bright place. The optimal winter temperature
is +10-16 °C. Temperatures above +18 °C, in combination with abundant watering, can cause unwanted shoot growth. As a result, by spring the plant will be exhausted, and it will not have enough resources for spring and summer flowering. Hoya at rest does not need a lot of water, so from November to March it should be watered only after the top layer of soil has dried. However, complete drying of the earthen coma should not be allowed. This can lead to the death of the plant.
Properly selected substrate promotes abundant flowering. Hoya loves fairly fertile soil, consisting of turf, leaf soil, peat and sand (1: 1: 1: 0.5).
Because it blooms better in cramped pots
, during the period of intensive growth and flowering,
it needs feeding
. For abundant flowering, one or two fertilizing per month with complex liquid fertilizer with microelements is enough. During the flowering period, it is better to use fertilizer with a high content of potassium and phosphorus.
In early spring, you can arrange a kind of “bathhouse” for hoya to stimulate flowering. To do this, the pot with the plant must be immersed in warm water (30-40 degrees). The stems can be immersed in water for half an hour, and the earthen ball should warm up and soak for about two hours.
It is necessary to remember the following feature of Hoya biology: a plant grown from cuttings blooms after 3-4 years, and from seeds - after 4-5 years.
To get flowers in the first year, you can resort to propagation by air layering
. You need to make an incision on the shoot of the mother plant and cover it with moistened sphagnum moss. Then cover the moss with a piece of black plastic film and tie it at the top and bottom with rope. After the roots have formed, the cuttings are cut and planted in a pot.
Hoya, or wax ivy, is a flowering vine that is most often grown indoors. The evergreen plant has thin and long shoots that are attached to supports. Outlandish star-shaped flowers are distinguished by their elegance and uniqueness, which is why hoya is grown at home. However, to see the vine bloom, it must be properly cared for.
Types of Hoya domestica with photos and names
There are many varieties of tropical hoya. Below are descriptions of the most prominent representatives of indoor plants of the Noua genus.
Hoya fleshy, or wax ivy
Hoya carnosa is a liana whose woody stems can reach 6 meters in length. The leaves are dark green in color with a cream or yellow rim, oval in shape, fleshy, waxy. Star-shaped flowers (20-30 pcs.) are collected in umbellate inflorescences of dark pink color. Long-lasting flowering (summer-autumn).
Hoya is beautiful
Hoya bella is a small epiphytic shrub with curly, cascading thin stems. It has small oblong leaves of green color (3 cm), white inflorescences with a purple crown (7-9 pieces), collected in an umbrella-shaped bud. Flowering is persistent and occurs in summer.
Hoya lace
Hoya lacunosa is an epiphyte. It has dark green diamond-shaped foliage, reaching a length of 6 cm. Flowers in white inflorescences (15-20 pieces) and a yellow crown in the center are covered with pile, collected with umbrella buds. The plant's vines are dense and do not climb on their own. Flowering occurs from late spring to mid-autumn.
Hoya multiflora
Hoya multiflora is a bushy plant with wavy waxy leaves of a dark green color, reaching a length of 10-12 cm. Thin woody stems do not curl - they are erect. It is grown as an ampelous plant, reaches a height of 60 -70 cm. The inflorescences are yellow-white (up to 40 pcs.), the lower part of the flowers is curved, the resulting buds have an umbrella shape. It has a pleasant lemon aroma during flowering. The formation of buds occurs at the beginning of summer and mid-autumn.
Hoya Kerra
Hoya Kerrii is a large liana, the stems reach a length of 2 m. It has large light green heart-shaped leaves (length 12 cm, width 9 cm) and thin stems with many aerial roots. The inflorescences are small, reminiscent of flat stars, the middle is dark, the lower petals are pubescent, there are 25 flowers per bud. During flowering it emits a chlorine aroma. Abundant flowering is observed in summer.
Hoya majestic
Hoya imperialis is a liana with curly thin stems reaching a length of 8 m. The foliage is large (length 20 cm), oblong, dark green in color, glossy. Umbrella inflorescences consist of ten large flowers of a purple hue, the core is white. During flowering they emit a fruity aroma. Buds form in spring and summer.
Hoya australian or southern
Hoya australis is a 10 m long liana with large dense waxy oblong leaves 15 cm long. The color of the foliage can be light or dark green. In one umbrella bud there are up to ten flowers of white-pink or cream color, which emit a spicy aroma. Blooms mainly from late summer to November.
Hoya fluffy cup
Hoya pubicalyx is a climbing vine 7 m long, with large oblong waxy leaves (length 14 cm) of green color with silver spots. It is characterized by a variety of shades of inflorescences - from light pink to dark burgundy and even black and burgundy. The basket inflorescence is formed by 30 flowers that emit a perfume aroma. Blooms in summer.
The best plant varieties
Wax ivy is often used in ornamental gardening; it belongs to the genus of evergreen shrubs and vines. The plant is widespread in India, China, the tropics of South Asia, and is also found on the coast of Australia. This liana grows in rare forests, where it finds support for shoots in the form of wood or stones.
In the wild, Hoya reaches a length of more than 8 meters
, but at home this plant is characterized by its smaller size. The flowers are very beautiful, they can be white, yellow, red or even black. Their scent attracts pollinating insects, and the inflorescences secrete nectar.
Waxy or fleshy Hoya (Hoya carnosa) has been cultivated by gardeners for many years. The leaves of this vine are small, oval-shaped, and have a light waxy coating.
The flowers are white, with a pink crown inside. The plant is very hardy
, is not afraid of drought and heat, and it is also unpretentious and survives in shaded places. The varieties of this type of wax ivy are presented in the table below, and it also shows other equally beautiful hoyas.
| Name | Peculiarities |
| Hoya carnosa | The species is represented by such varieties as “Crimson Queen”, “Compacta”. The first has dark green leaves decorated with a thin beige border. Particularly beautiful is the small hoya, which has twisted leaves and small white-pink flowers. |
| Hoya bella | This plant is particularly beautiful; its shoots are highly branched and hang down. Therefore, such a vine is often found in hanging flowerpots or wickerwork. The inflorescences are umbellate, pure white with a purple crown. It is important to know that this hoya is thermophilic and does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature. |
| Hoya imperialis | The species is characterized by curly, pubescent shoots. The flower is large, dark red. It exudes a pleasant aroma and attracts attention |
| Hoya picta | The flowers resemble candy canes. They are painted in apricot or orange colors |
| Hoya wayetii | The plant is characterized by small pinkish-burgundy inflorescences, the leaves are narrow and oblong |
| Hoya Kerry (Hoya kerrii) | The leaves of the vine are heart-shaped, long lashes need to be tied up. The flowers are pubescent, pale pink. But varieties with canary and cream inflorescences are often found |
| Hoya longifolia | The leaves of this species are thin and long, resembling knife blades. The flowers are light, pubescent, and have a faint aroma. |
| Southern Hoya (Hoya australis) | This hoya has long shoots that resemble wood in structure. Umbrella inflorescences, white petals with a crimson crown |
| Pale Hoya (Hoya acuta) | A climbing vine with yellow flowers with a mint or lemon scent. It is unpretentious and is often used for room decoration |
To successfully grow a home vine, you should know the most important rules that will help you keep your exotic plant healthy.
Wax ivy, regardless of the chosen type, will decorate the room with unusual bright flowers. In addition, it is available to all lovers of indoor flowers.
Plant species
Hoya beautiful (Hoyabella) - grows in Indonesia and Myanmar. Distinguished by small leaf blades, the flowers have white corollas and crowns, the color of which varies from pink to dark red.
Green Hoya (Hoyachlorantha) is a spectacular plant with elongated leaf blades and velvety flowers of white, brown or greenish hue.
Hoya imperialis (Hoya imperialis) - lives in Malaysia and Indonesia. The leaf blades are long and wide, the flowers are large, red-pink in color.
Hoya fleshy (Hoyacarnosa) - grows in China, India, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam. The flowers are collected in a tassel, have light pink corollas and dark red crowns and anthers. The most popular species in home floriculture.
Hoya cupped (Hoyacalycina) - native to New Guinea. It is distinguished by the longest leaf blades, reaching a length of 20 cm.
Hoya concave (Hoyalacunosa) - grows in Malaysia. The leaf blades are small, diamond-shaped. The flowers have a bright aroma reminiscent of perfume.
Hoya multiflora (Hoyamultiflora) - common in Thailand, Laos, China, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia.
What types and forms of hoya are there, see the video below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZU2FtWPrS8&w=700&h=395]
How to properly care for Hoya
Despite the unpretentiousness of wax ivy, the soil for this plant must be balanced and breathable. You can take ready-made soil for orchids or prepare a mixture yourself from the following components:
- leaf soil (2 kg);
- turf (1 kg);
- humus (800 g);
- river sand (500 g).
Any pot for the vine is suitable - both clay and plastic. The main thing is that there are drainage holes in it and moisture does not stagnate in the soil. For a small vine, a container with a volume of up to 1 liter is sufficient.
In the future, the plant should be transplanted into a wider pot as it grows.
The optimal temperature for wax ivy varies from 17 to 25 °C in warm months; in winter it can be reduced to 15 °C. Liana can be planted in a winter garden or greenhouse
, since it can withstand short-term drops in temperature without the risk of foliage falling.
It is known that hoya does not tolerate direct sunlight, which is why it is recommended to grow it in a room with windows facing south. Growing a plant requires having a permanent place for it, since moving the vine is fraught with the loss of flowers.
The shoots of domestic vines often grow very long, so this is a mandatory procedure.
Choosing the shape of the bush allows you to get a lush and beautiful plant, the main thing is to have time to do this after the end of flowering. It is best to shape hoya using thin garden shears.
Wax ivy thrives in a humid environment, so the foliage should be periodically sprayed with warm water from a spray bottle. In spring and summer, hoya is watered abundantly as the soil dries out.
However, liquid should not be allowed to stagnate in the soil. In addition, the contact of drops of water on flowers and buds contributes to the deterioration of their appearance, so the plant should be moistened carefully.
In spring and summer, the vine is fed with complex fertilizers for indoor plants no more than once a month. In winter, no food is added and irrigation is stopped. If you do not have plant nutrition available, you can water it with onion peels; thanks to the infusion, the hoya will grow and develop intensively.
What are the problems and what can be done to solve them?
Common problems with improper care include slowing or stopping growth and changing leaf color. Also, spots appear on the leaves, they curl and dry out. Other signs depend on the specific disease.
| Disease: description | What caused? | Treatment |
| The leaves are turning yellow | Yellowing at the base is most often observed when the root rots or due to a lack of nutrients. Yellowing around the edges is a symptom of improper watering or watering with hard tap water, or prolonged drying out of the soil. Yellow spots are also a sign that the hoya has been burned from direct sunlight. |
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| The leaves are falling |
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| Leaves wither Most often this is a consequence of bacterial wilt. | The causative agent is pathogenic bacteria. Causes:
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| Fungus | Caused by phytopathogenic fungi. Infection occurs when:
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| Gray rot | Caused by the fungus botrytis. The disease appears when there is poor ventilation and high humidity, if the plant is cramped or in a compacted soil substrate. |
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| Powdery mildew | The causative agent is powdery mildew fungi. Risk factors:
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Technology and timing of transplantation
Young vines need to be replanted annually, it is best to do this in the spring. Adult specimens should be moved to a new pot no more than once every 3 years.
Pour the substrate into the prepared container, and also prepare a support for the plant in advance. Replanting a hoya is quite easy; it is important to water it well and place it in a place with good diffused light.
. If you purchased a new plant, you should not replant it right away. Place the vine in a separate room and observe it. You need to make sure that the ivy is free from garden diseases or pests. In addition, a state of rest helps the hoya cope with stress after a change of environment.
Trimming
The first pruning , or rather pinching, is done when the plant is still very young and has several pairs of leaves. This is done to stimulate the growth of side shoots and increase the density and lushness of foliage. Subsequently, pinching the apical leaves is done regularly.
Too long, elongated shoots are removed, and overgrown and old branches are also promptly removed.
Faded flower stalks are never removed - it is on them that new flowers will bloom next year.
Hoya requires reliable support.
Young plants are replanted annually, adults - once every 3-4 years.
The need for replanting is indicated by roots protruding from the drainage holes of the pot.
If the plant blooms, it is better to wait until the flowering ends.
The pot is increased slightly.
The plant is replanted by transshipment .
The soil taken is nutritious, breathable, neutral or slightly acidic. It must drain water well, since any stagnation of water can lead to rotting or disease of the roots.
Soil composition: leaf and turf soil, humus in a ratio of 1:2:1, add perlite or vermiculite baking powder to retain moisture. It is possible to add sphagnum moss and small particles of pre-treated pine bark.
Drainage is laid at the bottom.
Hoya - healthy roots
Methods for propagating wax ivy
The easiest way to propagate home vines is by cuttings. Under favorable conditions, they take root and grow without problems.
Carefully cut a branch with a pair of leaves, and the cutting should have at least 2 nodes. Roots and leaves are formed in them. Next, place part of the plant in a dark vase and leave it in a warm, bright place. But do not forget to add fresh water, as moisture evaporates quickly. A strengthened young plant can be transplanted into a pot with a special substrate.
Propagation of wax ivy by cuttings gives excellent results.
But you should be aware that they should be short, since parts of the hoya that are too long are prone to drying out. It will be easier to root the vine if you maintain the room temperature at least 22 °C, and you also need to regularly spray the cuttings with water from a spray bottle.
Some gardeners are interested in how to propagate hoya with leaves
. The fact is that the petioles at the base of the leaf contain a certain number of roots. When placed in a nutrient substrate, this part of the plant takes root in the soil, but shoots are rarely sprouted. You can additionally stimulate the leaf by adding plant cell-based hormones to the water for irrigation.
You can also grow hoya from seeds at home.
Fresh seed should be slightly dried and placed in a well-permeable substrate. For example, you can prepare a mixture of soil and sphagnum. It is important to know that grains should be sown quickly, otherwise they will lose their viability.
As a rule, seeds germinate 1 week after placing them in a nutrient medium. Seedlings should never dry out, which is why they are regularly moistened with warm water. Young plants require a sufficient amount of light, so it is best to place the sprouts in a spacious container on the windowsill. 3 months after germination, the vines can be transplanted into separate pots. At this point, the hoyas have powerful roots and leaves.
Hoya propagation
Hoya propagation by cuttings
This is the easiest way to propagate wax ivy, since its cuttings take root easily and quickly. You will need to cut a short cutting with two or four leaves and two or more nodes. They can be placed in water or directly into the substrate. The soil for propagation must be loose. Water should not stagnate in it.
Rooting in water:
- Cut off the leaves from the bottom of the cutting, leaving only the top leaves.
- Treat the lower sections with root hormone.
- Wrap a jar or other container with water in foil on the side and top, after pouring water into it with a temperature of up to +22 degrees.
- Pierce the foil with a handle and place it in water so that the bottom node is in the water.
- Place a transparent bag over the cuttings and container. Inside the bag there will be increased air humidity, which is necessary for better rooting. Otherwise, the cuttings may simply wither. However, there is no need to block the air supply.
After about two weeks, roots will appear, and the Hoya cuttings will need to be immediately planted in a small pot filled with soil. If you miss time, the cuttings will become fragile.
Rooting Hoya cuttings in soil:
- Treat the lower cut of the cutting with root and place it in moist soil so that the lower node is in the substrate.
- Place a transparent bag over the pot.
The cuttings should take root in the soil in two or three weeks. When new leaves begin to appear on them, the bag can be removed. Wax ivy grown from cuttings will bloom in the fourth year.
Hoya propagation by layering
For this method of propagation, a long shoot is selected and a pot of soil is prepared, which must be placed next to the wax ivy. The soil must contain peat and be nutritious.
The place of the shoot, which will be placed in the ground, is slightly incised. The branch is placed in a nearby pot. There should be a knot and an incision located on the shoot in the ground. The branch is attached to the soil with a pin or bent wire. Moss is placed on top and the pot is covered with film. The moss must first be watered. When roots appear on the removed branch, it gets stronger and produces new leaves, it can be separated from the mother plant.
The shoot with roots can be left in the same pot or transplanted into a new one. Hoya propagated by layering will bloom within a year.
You might be interested to know: How to care for store-bought poinsettia so that it blooms for a long time
Hoya from seeds
Hoya propagation by seeds is rarely carried out by flower growers, since planting material for vines is difficult to find on sale, and it is almost impossible to obtain seeds from home ivy. But if you are lucky and you purchased seeds or seeds formed and ripened on your beauty after flowering, then they can be used for planting. This must be done immediately, otherwise the planting material will lose its viability.
For sowing, use a mixture of soil and cut sphagnum moss. The seeds are placed in a moist substrate, and the crops are covered with film on top. The container is placed in a bright, warm place, and the soil moisture is constantly monitored. The crops are ventilated every day.
If the seeds are good, seedlings will appear in a week. They will grow slowly. Only after about three months will several pairs of leaves appear on the young plants, and they can be planted in separate small pots.
Hoya propagation by leaf - photo
On Valentine's Day, in flower shops you can see heart-shaped leaves in small pots. These are rooted leaves of Hoya. Only some types of vines reproduce in this way (for example, Hoya Kerry). The cut leaf is simply placed in a damp substrate and covered with a transparent bag. Roots on the leaf will appear quickly, but a new shoot can wait a long time or not at all.
About the characteristics of flowering vines
Hoya flowers look like artificial decorations and are very beautiful. However, you should not pick them, as this may result in a lack of ovaries next year. As a rule, you can see inflorescences in spring or autumn, when the room is cool, but there are exceptions.
In some cases, the plant does not please the owners of the house with bright flowers. This may be due to the following factors:
- frequent movement of hoya;
- lack of fresh air;
- improper watering.
Why doesn't the vine set flower stalks? First of all, you need to remember the last time the plant pot was moved. In some cases, after purchasing or moving, hoya does not bloom for 2 years.
The room intended for wax ivy must be free, otherwise the flower will lack fresh air. In addition, you should not water the plant too often.
