Hoya
Never remove the old flower spurs after blooming — this is the single most common and most damaging mistake with this genus. A young cutting can also take a couple of years to reach flowering maturity, so patience is needed.
Care
Tolerates some direct morning sun, but not intense midday sun.
The fleshy leaves store water; let the compost dry out well between waterings — overwatering is the biggest risk to this genus.
Free-draining, peat-free houseplant compost with added bark or perlite, similar to an orchid mix.
Minimal pruning; never cut off the old flower spurs (the short woody stalks left after blooms fade) — this genus reflowers repeatedly from the same spurs, sometimes for years.
A balanced feed at half strength monthly in the growing season, leaning to high potash once flower buds appear. Never cut off the bare flower spur after the blooms drop — next year's flowers come from the same spur.
Cuttings of two or three nodes with a couple of leaves root in water or in gritty compost over summer. A hoya grown from a cutting can take a few years to flower, which is normal rather than a sign of bad care.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchLight feed as growth resumes. how ›
- JulyEnjoy the fragrant flower clusters, often strongest-scented in the evening.
- OctoberReduce watering as growth slows into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchLight feed as growth resumes. how ›
- JulyEnjoy the fragrant flower clusters, often strongest-scented in the evening.
- OctoberReduce watering as growth slows into autumn. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Reduced or absent flowering in following years after old flower stalks were cut off.
What to do. Always leave spurs on the plant after flowering — next year's flowers grow from the same spurs.
How to spot it. Common on this genus.
What to do. Treat if noticed.
How to spot it. From overwatering.
What to do. Let the compost dry out well between waterings.
Questions
Hoya: is it hardy?
H2: Tender. It survives down to 1 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
A classic houseplant; flowers best when slightly pot-bound.
Hoya: when do you prune it?
Minimal pruning; never cut off the old flower spurs (the short woody stalks left after blooms fade) — this genus reflowers repeatedly from the same spurs, sometimes for years.
Hoya: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–August.
When do you feed it?
A balanced feed at half strength monthly in the growing season, leaning to high potash once flower buds appear. Never cut off the bare flower spur after the blooms drop — next year's flowers come from the same spur. Feeding months, UK: April–September.