Ah, Hoyas… dark, glossy leaves, incredible creeping tendrils and out-of-this-world blooms that look as sweet as can be. You’d be forgiven for assuming this peculiar petal to be one of the fussier out of the bunch, but you’d be mistaken!
These tropical succulents are native to Asia and Australia, and with a few facts about their native environment and habits under your belt, you’ll be prepped to grow one of your own in no time. Without further ado, here’s our handy guide to Hoyas!
How much light do Hoyas need?
Hoyas are epiphytic and live in tropical jungles and rainforests, often growing in trees similarly to orchids. Think dappled light from the canopy above, so (as always) you’re going to want to provide bright, indirect light for your Hoya. They love morning sun and diffused light, so next to a frosted bathroom window is perfect for them. This is also a great spot because Hoyas looove…
Humidity!
The more humidity you can provide for them, the happier they’ll be. Hoyas like at least 60% humidity at all times, so definitely try placing them in bathrooms or on a pebble tray for Winter in particular.
When to water your Hoya
Do 👏 not 👏 over 👏 water 👏 Hoya 👏
Like we said, these guys are succulents, so they hold lots of moisture in their leaves and don’t need watering as regularly as most of your other collection. Many recommend waiting until the top two inches of soil are dry; in Summer, this is usually every 10-14 days and even up to monthly in Winter. In saying that, if you’re a serial overwaterer, we’d recommend waiting until the pot is mostly dried out or you notice the leaves start to pucker before watering.
What’s the best soil for Hoya?
Most of our houseplants prefer a well-draining soil mix and Hoya is no different. We like to use a mix of premium Orchid mix, perlite and horticultural charcoal, but a 50/50 mix of orchid and succulent mix would also do the trick. As long as it’s well-draining, doesn’t have too many components that hold moisture well and Support Pellets are mixed throughout, your Hoya’s going to feel right at home!
When is the best time to repot a Hoya?
Good news for all you lazy plant parents! Hoyas like to be snug and cozy in their pot, so you only need to look at rehoming them every 2-3 years. Make sure the pot you choose has good drainage, and consider a porous material like terracotta to aid in the soil drying out and avoiding any overwatering mishaps.
What is the best fertiliser for Hoyas?
You definitely need to avoid chemical fertilisers for these babes. Because We the Wild products are bioactive, they won't shock your lovely Hoya. We recommend using Grow with every drink. You'll get larger and longer lasting blooms and more abundant leaves.
Can you propagate Hoyas?
Hoyas are super easy to propagate, so get snipping! You just need a 10-15cm length with at least two leaves, pop it in some water with Support Pellets and you should see roots push through in roughly 3-5 weeks. When you see secondary roots (roots growing off the roots), you’ll know it’s time to pot it into soil. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first few weeks and voila - a new plant!
Some other helpful hints:
- Hoyas won't start blooming for a few years after propagating, but with those incredible leaves, does it matter?!
- All varieties of Hoya are completely pet safe.
- Hoyas HATE dust build up on their leaves, so make sure you're spraying them with Protect fortnightly to keep leaves dust free and fabulous.
Now that you have all the info you need, it's time to say a-hoya to the newest plant on your wish list!