How to Grow and Care for Hoya Incrassata Eclipse

The Hoya incrassata ‘Eclipse’ is a distinct cultivar from the Philippines, valued by houseplant collectors for its unique foliage and reliable growth. This vining species is known for its adaptability and striking appearance.

Distinctive Characteristics of Hoya Incrassata Eclipse

The ‘Eclipse’ is most notable for its specialized variegation. The leaves are thick, succulent, and lance-ovate, with a glossy surface that accentuates their coloring. This cultivar displays a pattern where the leaf margins are creamy yellow or white, framing a deep green center. This defined, raised border gives the impression of an eclipse, lending the plant its name.

Beyond the foliage, the plant produces flower clusters known as umbels, each containing 40 to 50 small, star-shaped blooms. The flowers are a pale yellow with a white or lighter yellow center and emit a strong, sweet fragrance compared to citrus.

Essential Care Guide

Light

Proper lighting is a primary factor in maintaining the ‘Eclipse’s’ vibrant variegation. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light. Exposure to several hours of morning sun is beneficial, but it should be protected from harsh, direct midday sun that can scorch the leaves and fade the variegation. An ideal placement is near an east-facing window or set back from a south or west-facing window.

Soil

As an epiphyte that grows on trees, Hoya incrassata ‘Eclipse’ requires a potting medium with excellent aeration and drainage to prevent root rot. Standard potting soil is too dense and retains excessive moisture. A chunky, porous mix of orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir or husk is best, as this substrate provides the necessary airflow for the roots.

Watering

A consistent watering routine is important for this Hoya’s health. Use the “drench and dry” method: water the plant thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, then wait until the top few inches of the medium are dry before watering again. The succulent nature of the leaves allows the plant to store water, making it tolerant of brief dry periods.

Temperature and Humidity

This plant prefers the warm and humid conditions of its tropical origins, with ideal temperatures from 18°C to 26°C (65°F to 80°F). While it adapts to average household humidity, it performs better with levels between 60% and 80%. To increase ambient moisture, you can group it with other plants, place it on a pebble tray with water, or use a humidifier.

Fertilizer

During the spring and summer growing season, regular feeding supports vigorous growth and flowering. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, every four to six weeks. A formulation with lower nitrogen can also encourage more robust foliage and blooms. Reduce feeding during the fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.

Encouraging Blooms

To encourage flowering on a mature plant, provide slightly brighter light. This mild stress can signal the plant to enter its reproductive cycle. Using a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content during the growing season may also promote the development of peduncles, the specialized stalks where flowers form.

Never remove peduncles after the flowers fade. Hoyas re-bloom from the same stalks annually, so leaving them intact is necessary for future flowering.

Common Issues and Solutions

A common issue is reversion, where new growth emerges as solid green. This is often a response to insufficient light, so moving the plant to a brighter location can help. If a vine reverts, prune it back to a node just before the non-variegated leaves appeared.

The ‘Eclipse’ is susceptible to pests like mealybugs and aphids, which are found on new growth or the undersides of leaves. Inspect the plant regularly. Pests can be managed by wiping them away with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol or by treating the plant with insecticidal soap.

Pay attention to the plant’s signals for water. Yellowing leaves point to overwatering, while wrinkled or soft leaves indicate the plant is thirsty. Adjusting watering frequency based on these visual cues is key to the plant’s health.