How to Grow and Care for Hoya Obovata – 4 Useful Guides
Hoyas are one of the most popular houseplants, and for good reason. These beautiful trailing plants have thick, shiny leaves and long tendrils that set them apart.
They make great hanging plants, but they can also grow up trellises and moss poles. Hoyas are semi-succulent plants that grow on other plants.
They naturally get nutrients and water from the air, and their thick leaves store water, just like succulents. Because of this, they can handle droughts and are usually easy to take care of.
Hoya obovata is a unique cultivar with large, oval, dark green leaves that have a silver “splashed” pattern.
It is harder to find than Hoya carnosa, which is more common, but it grows faster. Its unique look makes it appealing to both collectors and regular people. Hoya obovata (botanical name).
Hoya Obovata Care
These fast-growing foliage plants need fertilizer often in the spring and summer to keep their growth healthy and full.
Even though hoyas aren’t usually grown for their flowers because they don’t bloom until they are at least two or three years old, if you get to see one, it is a beautiful and fragrant sight.
If your hoya flowers, don’t cut off the flower stem because the same stalk will bloom again in a few years.
Light
For Hoya obovatas to grow, they need strong light all the time. In their home environment, they grow up among trees and enjoy bright, dappled light.
Soil
Because the roots need to drain and breathe, Hoya obovata plants do best in soil mixtures that are airy and drain well.
Hoyas are often grown in a mix of peat, perlite, and orchid bark. This gives the roots space and good drainage. You could also use a mix of orchid bark, potting soil, pumice, and compost.
Water
Hoya obovatas don’t like to get too much water, so they should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings.
Wait until the soil is completely dry before giving it enough water. When the plant is sleeping in the fall and winter, cut back on how much water you give it.
Temperature and Humidity
Hoya obovatas like to be wet and/or get sprinkled on often because they grow on trees. This is not necessary, since hoyas can usually live in homes with normal temperatures and levels of humidity.
Don’t put your hoya obovata too close to fans, heat vents, or drafty windows to keep it from getting too hot or cold.
Fertilizer
Hoya obovatas are fast-growing plants that need to be fertilized often during the spring and summer to help them grow.
Use a fertilizer with a lot of nitrogen to help the leaves grow. When your hoya is ready to bloom, use phosphorus-rich fertilizer to make sure the flowers are strong.
Hoyas should be fertilized twice a month during the spring and summer.
Propagating Hoya Obovata
It’s easy to grow hoyas in soil or water. Just take healthy Hoya obovata cuttings, cut off the lower leaves, and put the nodes that are showing in water or soil.
The nodes are the spots on the stem where the leaves start to grow. If you are planting seeds in soil, keep the soil moist until the new plant is established.
Potting and Repotting Hoya Obovata
These trailing plants do well in many different types of pots, but the bottom of the pot must have a drainage hole to keep the soil from getting too wet and causing the roots to rot.
Hoya obovata plants are often grown in terracotta pots because the weight of the pot helps balance out the plant’s weight as it grows. However, any type of pot with enough drainage can be used.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The best way to avoid sooty mould on your Hoya obovata is to clean the leaves with a damp cloth on a regular basis to ensure that any sap that leaks onto the leaves is not left there for long periods of time.
