Hoya
Hoya carnosa

Hoya

Bright indirectEasyPet-safe
6085°FComfort range
AverageHumidity
Background

The wax plant earns its name from thick, semi-succulent leaves and clusters of star-shaped, almost porcelain flowers that smell sweet in the evening. It's an easy, slow-growing trailer that blooms once it's settled, mature, and getting enough light.

Two rules unlock the flowers. First, give it bright light — a few hours near a sunny window. Second, don't cut off the flower stalks (the spurs): hoyas rebloom from the same peduncles year after year, so removing them removes next season's blooms. Treat it like a succulent on watering and it asks for very little else.

Bright indirect light, with a little direct sun, encourages the waxy flowers; too dim and it won't bloom.

Care at a glance
LightBright indirect
WaterEvery 10–14 days; let the soil dry well
Soil mixChunky, airy mix — orchid bark, perlite, and potting soil
HumidityAverage
Temperature60–85°F
DifficultyEasy
HabitTrailing
Mature sizeTrails or climbs 2–4 ft
PropagationStem cuttings with a node
Watering & safety
How to water

Soak then dry; the thick leaves store water

Drought tolerance

Tolerant — forgives a missed watering and prefers to dry out.

Pet & child safety

Non-toxic and pet-safe.

The routine

Let the soil dry well, then soak

every 10–14 days

Feed with a high-potassium feed to support blooming

monthlyGrowing season

Never remove the flower spurs — it reblooms from them

No flowers usually means not enough light

Check leaf joints for mealybugs

Watch for
MealybugsSpider MitesScale