How to Grow Hoya Indoors for Lush Leaves and Long-Lasting Blooms

Hoyas are popular plants known for their beautiful waxy leaves and fragrant flowers, making them a favorite among plant enthusiasts. This trailing tropical plant is easy to care for and adapts well to various environments, suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners. These attractive plants thrive indoors and look wonderful cascading from a container or climbing up a trellis.

While they are most commonly grown indoors, they can also be cultivated outdoors in warmer climates, particularly in hardiness zones 10 to 12. With proper care, your hoya can stay healthy and vibrant year-round, enhancing your home or garden. Ahead, experts share simple tips for caring for hoya plants, covering everything from planting to pruning.

Care Requirements

While this beautiful houseplant is considered low-maintenance, it still needs optimal conditions to thrive. Ensure it has sufficient light and well-draining soil, particularly if you want it to bloom.

Sunlight

Hoyas love bright sun and do well in a southern or western-facing windowsill, says Maria Failla, host of the Growing Joy with Plants podcast. Aim to provide your hoya with at least six hours of indirect sunlight daily to ensure healthy growth and development.

Soil

A well-draining potting mix specifically designed for succulents or houseplants is ideal for hoya. You can often find pre-blended hoya mixes at local nurseries or online. To enhance drainage, consider adding orchid bark or perlite to the mix.

Water

Hoyas do not like to be overwatered, as their succulent leaves hold water and slowly release it to the plant over time. Failla recommends watering your plants when the top inch of soil is dry. You can also check the leaves; if they feel thin, weak, or wrinkled, it's time to water.

Temperature

Hoya plants thrive in warm, humid environments. When growing them indoors, aim for a temperature range between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you can’t keep your home within this range, don’t worry. Failla says these low-maintenance plants can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. "Normal home temperatures are fine for my hoya. I don’t adjust the temperature or humidity for these plants," she says.

Fertilizer

These plants benefit from a gentle houseplant fertilizer during active growth or blooming. Stop fertilizing during winter, when the plant's growth slows.

How to Repot Hoya

If a hoya has been in its current pot for over two years without growth, Failla suggests removing the plant, shaking off the old soil, and replacing it with fresh, nutrient-rich soil before repotting it in the same container.

If the plant is pot-bound (i.e., it has outgrown its pot and roots are growing out of the bottom), Failla recommends moving it to a pot 2 inches larger. "Hoyas like to be snug in their pots, and they don’t want too much room," says Failla. Only repot if you notice roots growing out of the bottom of the pot.

1. Choose a pot or hanging basket that is at least 2 inches larger than the current one, ensuring it has proper drainage holes.
   
2. Add a base layer of well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot, about a few inches deep.
3. Gently place the pot on its side and tap the bottom and sides to loosen the soil. Carefully slide the plant out while supporting the root ball.
4. Place the hoya in the new pot, so the top of the root ball sits approximately 1 to 2 inches below the top of the container. Add more soil to the bottom of the pot if needed to ensure the proper height.
5. While holding the plant steady with one hand, carefully fill in around the roots with potting soil, leaving about 1 inch of space between the soil line and the rim of the pot.
6. Water the hoya thoroughly to help the soil settle around the roots.

How to Prune Hoya

Spring is the best time to prune hoya plants, as this is when they enter their growth cycle, says Adam Peters, houseplant and annuals coordinator of Platt Hill Nursery. Pruning hoya promotes fuller, bushier plants, encourages new healthy growth, removes dead and leggy stems, and increases airflow and light penetration.

However, when pruning, leave the old flower stalks, known as peduncles, as they produce future blooms. "Removing the peduncles will cause the plant to have to spend energy re-growing them instead of just forming new flowers," says Peters. Here, he shares straightforward tips to ensure pruning success.

1. Clean your trimmers with rubbing alcohol to help prevent pathogens from spreading to the plant.
   
2. Trim just above a node (where the leaves begin to form), leaving approximately half an inch to an inch of the stem. This extra length allows for some dieback, as the stems often dry out slightly after being cut.
3. Seal the cut end of the stem with powdered cinnamon to protect it from pathogens.
   

How to Overwinter Hoya

Hoyas are tropical plants that generally cannot survive temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. To overwinter them properly, they should be shielded from the cold, watered less frequently, and provided with sufficient sunlight to thrive.

Cut Back on Watering

Hoyas enter a semi-dormant state during the winter, which allows you to reduce the frequency of watering, says Peters. He recommends using the pot's weight as a guide for watering. If the pot feels light, it's time to water it. An alternative method is to stick a toothpick into the pot. "Think of it like baking brownies," says Peters. "When you pull it out, if it’s clean and dry, it’s time to water."

Provide Supplemental Light

Move your hoya to the brightest spot in your home during the winter months, such as a south- or west-facing window. As daylight hours shorten, Peters says using a grow light can supplement the reduced light quality.

Stop Fertilizing

Reduce or stop fertilizing during winter, as hoyas aren’t actively growing. Fertilizing during this time can cause root damage or stress the plant.

Protect From Cold Drafts

Move your hoya plant away from cold drafts and aim for temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

How to Get Hoya to Bloom

Hoyas typically bloom in spring and summer under ideal conditions, but they may take two to three years to mature and produce flowers. Creating an optimal growing environment is essential to flowering. Focus on providing adequate lighting, proper fertilization, and winter protection. In spring, Peters notes that it's beneficial to place hoya plants in areas with increased light, as this can stimulate flower growth. 

For fertilization, applying a liquid fertilizer every other time you water can help enhance the chances of flowering. It's recommended to select a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content, indicated by the middle number in the fertilizer ratio, to promote flower growth. Look for products with ratios like 5-10-5 or 10-20-10. Additionally, hoyas prefer to be slightly rootbound, which can also encourage blooming.

Common Pests and Diseases

Like all plants, hoyas can be susceptible to pests and diseases. The good news is that by providing proper care for your hoya, you can greatly reduce the risk of infestations and health issues. Here, Peters provides effective solutions for addressing common pest and disease problems.

Pests

The three most common pests for hoya are mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Mealybugs are small, fuzzy insects that cluster on plants. Peters recommends treating them by mixing 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 to 5 parts water, then spraying the plant every few days. For larger clusters, use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. If needed, apply horticultural oil.

Scale insects appear as tiny brown shells on plants. "Remove them by gently scraping with a razor blade or by using systemic pesticides for prevention," says Peters.

Spider mites create webs and can be eradicated with miticide spray. Spray affected areas thoroughly, and wipe the plant to remove webs, repeating the process every few days, says Peters.

Diseases

Hoya plants can suffer from diseases such as Pythium (root rot) or Botrytis (gray mold). "Prevent these by ensuring proper drainage and airflow, and by allowing the soil to dry between watering," says Peters. He recommends treating with a copper-based fungicide if needed.