Images Depict Mature Plants
Hoya carnosa is known as the classic wax plant. This houseplant has dark green, large, almond-shaped leaves that grow on long vines. If you grow this plant in its ideal living conditions, you may even see it blossom creamy-white flower clusters as it matures. This Hoya is perfect as a hanging basket plant or placed on the edge of a shelf to cascade down as it grows.
Grow your Hoya carnosa in medium to bright, indirect light, and water infrequently. When you see the plant's leaves pucker slightly, that is the time to water. Avoid giving this plant direct sunlight, artificial light, and dark corners of your home. Too much light will burn your plant's leaves, but too little light will not allow them to fully mature and blossom flowers.
| Growing Zone: | 9-11 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 11″-18″ |
| Mature Width: | 30″-36″ |
| Classification: | Succulent |
| Sunlight: | Bright indirect |
| Habit: | Cascading |
| Flower Color: | White |
| Foliage: | Green and wax like |
| Soil Condition: | Likes to dry out some between watering |
| Water Requirement: | Likes to go dry |
| Uses: | Attractive plant to be featured or in the background of any room in the house, does well with minimal care |
How to Care for Hoya Carnosa Plants
After you purchase your Hoya Carnosa plant, be sure to read the recommended care instructions to ensure your plant remains happy and healthy for years to come!
How Much Sunlight Does my Hoya Carnosa Require?
Hoya Carnosa plants thrive best in bright, indirect light. A tiny bit of direct light will not hurt your plant, but try your best to avoid it at all costs. Too much direct sunlight will be too hot and scorch your plant's leaves. On the flip side, try to avoid dark areas of your home or fluorescent lighting. These plants need sunlight to grow, thrive, and eventually blossom flowers. Ideally, place your houseplant in a south or east-facing windowsill. If you bring your Hoya out in the summertime, make sure you are placing it where it will receive bright shade, like a tree. Hanging your Hoya under a shady tree will give it glimpses of sunlight without any direct overexposure.
How Often Should I Water my Hoya Carnosa?
Hoya Carnosa Plants should receive water relatively infrequently, as the plants like to dry out some between watering. The easiest way to tell if a plant needs water is by the weight of the container. If the container is heavy and the foliage is upright, chances are good the plant doesn’t need water, whereas a light pot and limp foliage mean the plant needs some water. Sometimes, water pours out of the container without being retained by the soil. Soaking the dry potting soil in a small dish or saucer can be a way to solve this problem. Do your best not to water the foliage of these plants. Also, do not over-water them as this will lead to leaf damage or plant death. If you’re unsure, it is always better to let the plant go dry instead of drenching it with water. Moisture meters are another easy way to tell if plants need to be watered and usually come with a guide to indicate what number or level of different moisture plants require.
What is the Best Soil for my Hoya Carnosa?
Your Hoya Carnosa will thrive in a well-balanced mix of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Let your houseplants' soil dry between watering; its soil takes a long time to compact. Typically, any reputable potting mix will work well and includes the ingredients listed above. When potting your plant, try adding a granular, slow-release fertilizer to help the plant thrive during the transplanting process. However, if your soil already has fertilizer incorporated into it, there is no need to add additional fertilizer and risk overfertilizing your houseplant. Overfertilizing your plant could cause permanent damage.
Do I Need to Prune my Hoya Carnosa Houseplant?
Hoya Carnosa plants are fairly low-maintenance, and with the proper care, they can last for years! When you are pruning, do not cut or deadhead any flowers on your plant. New flowers grow at the end of the plant's stems from the same spurs; these are called "peduncles." If you accidentally cut off peduncles, they will not regrow; this means no flowers will grow. However, if you notice any dead or dying foliage, you can carefully prune those off to help encourage new, healthy growth.
