How to Start Hoya Plants
The most common type of hoya plant is the hoya carnosa, commonly known as the wax plant, wax vine or honey plant. The hoya carnosa is a slow-growing, vine-like plant with waxy leaves and clusters of dainty star-shaped flowers, which have a mild fragrance. You can start a wax plant from stem cuttings. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 3-inch pot
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- Knife
- Rooting hormone
- Water
- Plastic bag
- Fertilizer
- Soil-based potting mix
Instructions
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1
Mix equal amounts of peat moss and perlite. Fill a 3-inch pot with this potting medium.
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2
Take 3-inch cuttings from an existing hoya plant in active growth. Cut each cutting just below a pair of leaves.
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3
Dip the cut ends of the cuttings into a rooting hormone and place two cuttings together into a single pot. Position the cuttings so the node where leaves are attached to the stem is at the soil surface. This will promote rooting.
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4
Water the planted cuttings and put the whole pot into a plastic bag. Seal and keep the cuttings in a warm, moderately lit room for six weeks or more.
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5
Uncover the pot once rooting is complete. Water your wax plant sparingly from here on out. Allow the potting medium to become rather dry between waterings. Once new growth appears, begin fertilizing your hoya regularly.
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6
Repot your plant in a soil-based potting mixture after about 90 days. Display the wax plant in a hanging basket to accentuate its naturally trailing vines. Or set it on a table and wind vines around the pot.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a clean, sharp knife when taking cuttings.
Rooting hormone powder stops the milky sap from flowing out of cuttings.
You may also start wax plants from seeds. Sow and keep the seeds moist and warm -- at least 70 degrees. Seeds will sprout in five to seven days.
Fertilize the wax plant monthly during active growth at a rate of 2.9 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
If you over-water hoya plants, they may suffer from root rot.
