How to Grow and Care for Hoya Obovata

The Hoya obovata is a sought-after houseplant, distinguished by its thick, round, succulent-like leaves. These deep green leaves are often adorned with a silver or pinkish speckling, sometimes called a “splash,” making each one unique. This plant grows as a vine, capable of trailing from a hanging basket or climbing a trellis. Its reputation as a low-maintenance plant contributes to its popularity.

Hoya Obovata Care

Light

Hoya obovata thrives in bright, indirect light. An ideal location is near an east or west-facing window where it can receive plenty of illumination without being subjected to harsh, direct sun. In its native environment, it grows under the canopy of trees, receiving dappled sunlight. Insufficient light may inhibit growth and flowering, while direct sun can scorch its leaves.

Soil

As an epiphyte, this plant naturally grows on other trees, meaning its roots require excellent aeration and drainage. A chunky, well-draining potting mix is necessary to prevent waterlogged conditions that can lead to root rot. You can create an effective medium by combining components like orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir. This mix mimics its natural growing conditions, allowing roots to breathe.

Water

The Hoya obovata has succulent qualities, storing water in its fleshy leaves, which makes it drought-tolerant. Use the “soak and dry” method for watering. This involves thoroughly watering the soil until it runs from the drainage holes and then allowing the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering is a common misstep, so it’s wise to err on the side of caution.

Temperature and Humidity

This tropical native prefers warm and humid conditions, with an ideal temperature range between 65 and 85°F (18-30°C). It is sensitive to drastic temperature fluctuations and should be kept away from cold drafts or direct blasts from heating and cooling vents. While it can adapt to average household humidity, providing higher humidity will promote more vigorous growth.

Fertilizer

To support its growth during the spring and summer, regular feeding is beneficial. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied monthly during the growing season can provide the necessary nutrients. Some growers use a high-nitrogen fertilizer to encourage foliage growth. If the plant is preparing to bloom, switching to a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content can help encourage flowers. Feeding should be paused during the fall and winter when growth slows.

How to Encourage Blooms

Achieving blooms on a Hoya obovata requires the plant to reach a certain level of maturity, so patience is needed. Younger plants will focus their energy on vegetative growth rather than flowering. Once mature, providing the plant with slightly more intense light can serve as a form of benign stress, encouraging it to produce buds.

The flowers appear in spherical clusters of small, star-shaped blossoms. These blooms are fragrant, releasing a sweet scent, particularly in the evening. Hoyas flower from the same point, called a peduncle, year after year. Do not remove these small, woody spurs after the flowers have faded, as they will be the source of future blooms.

Propagating Hoya Obovata

Propagating Hoya obovata is successfully done using stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem from the mother plant that has at least two or three leaves and a couple of nodes, which are the small bumps where leaves and roots emerge. Using clean, sharp scissors, make a cut just below a node.

This cutting can then be rooted in a few different mediums. For water propagation, place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged, and change the water every few days. Alternatively, the cutting can be planted directly into a pot of well-draining soil mix. Another popular medium is sphagnum moss, which retains moisture while providing good air circulation.

Common Issues and Pests

Yellowing leaves are one of the most frequent problems and are often a direct result of overwatering and poor drainage. If you notice leaves turning yellow, check the soil’s moisture level and ensure the pot is not sitting in water.

Pests can also become a problem, with mealybugs and aphids being common. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony masses on the leaves and stems, while aphids are small, pear-shaped insects that cluster on new growth. Both can be managed by wiping them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by treating the plant with an insecticidal soap.