Hoya Carnosa Krimson Princess Care

The wax plant, also known as the Hoya carnosa plant, is available in a variegated cultivar known as Hoya Krimson Princess. It is a terrific addition to any home since its popularity and versatility are rising. It takes some finesse to nurture a thriving Hoya, but with this hoya krimson princess care guide, you can bring your Princess plant to full bloom.

Hoya Krimson Princess Background

Originally from China, Indonesia, Thailand, and India, as well as various other nations in Southeast Asia, hoyas can be found growing wild in Australia, Polynesia, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

These lovely houseplants are classified as members of the Hoya genus, which is part of the Apocynaceae family of plants. There are hundreds of different species of Hoya; one of these is the climber, woody-stemmed Hoya carnosa.

Hoya carnosa comes in several colors and patterns, the most common being the jade variety and the rare, variegated Princess and Queen types.

Pre-bloom, the pink or white flower clusters on a Hoya Carnosa Krimson Princess look like small candies, and the blooms themselves are covered in a delicate hair covering.

The nectar from the night-blooming flowers is notoriously sticky, and their aroma has been likened to honey, vanilla custard, and even chocolate by avid indoor gardeners.

In addition to her climbing skills, Krimson Princess excels at hanging and trailing. Burnt foliage can be identified by its leaves turning a dark red or brown, either around the leaf’s edges, in areas, or all over. Don’t try to revive their original green and cream color; this is an irreversible change, so just cut the damaged leaves.

The plant’s remarkable variegation may fade if you don’t provide enough light. Additionally, it is possible to achieve a more uniform result. The process by which a plant “reaches” for more light by expanding the space between its leaves is known as “becoming lanky.”

Indoor Vs. Outdoor Growing

The tropical origin of Hoya Carnosa Krimson Princess means that it thrives in hot, humid climates. Because of this, it can thrive as an indoor plant if given adequate exposure to bright, filtered light.

Although Krimson Princess benefits from direct sun at the end of winter and beginning of spring, its leaves should be protected from the scorching heat of the sun throughout the summer.

On the other hand, a little bit of sun is fine. Since Krimson Princess is a variegated Hoya carnosa, she thrives in bright indirect sunlight and does best in east- or north-facing windows in the northern hemisphere.

Although it prefers to climb, this plant does well in containers, windowsills, and baskets.

Be careful to provide your Hoya Carnosa Krimson Princess with diffused light, shade from the hot summer sun, and protection from drying winds if you relocate her outdoors during the warmer months.

Plants raised in hanging baskets can be successfully kept outdoors throughout the summer, given enough light and warmth, and are shielded from direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.

Leaves and Flowers

People who grow houseplants like the Hoya Krimson Princess for its shiny leaves and beautiful, fragrant flowers.

The oval Hoya Krimson Princess leaves grow to a length of about 2 inches and display a striking pattern of dark green, cream, white, and sometimes light pink. The leaves of the wax plant are succulent-like, and their waxy sheen is the source of the plant’s popular name. Their glossy leaves (thus the common name “wax plant”) and scented flowers are popular reasons for cultivating this plant.

In the spring and summer, the Hoya Krimson Princess blooms with breathtaking beauty. Umbrella-shaped clusters of small, generally pink but sometimes white flowers grow on these plants.

Their star-shaped flowers and waxy petals make them look almost artificial. They have a wonderful fragrance, almost like chocolate milk, which is a nice bonus.

Hoya plants are well-known for their ropey vines and are perennial epiphytic vining and variegated plants. They look equally good in both standard planters and hanging baskets.

Without further ado, let’s look at how to pamper your Princess.

Hoya Krimson Princess Care Instructions

Light

The Krimson Princess hoya prefers bright indirect light, just like other hoyas. It can survive in somewhat less ideal conditions but remember that variegated plants typically require exposure to dappled sunlight to preserve their distinctive coloring.

However, ensure the Princess is not exposed to too much direct light. Some early morning sun is fine because it isn’t as intense. Leaves can be scorched by direct sunlight.

Fertilizer Needs

If you overfeed your Hoya Krimson Princess, she may not bloom despite your best efforts.

Use an organic, low-impact fertilizer or dilute a liquid synthetic fertilizer (Half water/half fertilizer) to get the job done.

Hoya Krimson Princesses get the micronutrients they need with a treatment every two weeks to once a month.

If you want your Princess to have the most beautiful flowers possible, you can buy bloom-enhancing vitamins with a higher phosphorus concentration.

For this to have any effect on your plant, you must supply just the right moment.

Humidity— the More, the Better!

This plant’s origins in India and East Asia mean it thrives in damp conditions. As long as you increase humidity, they can handle much neglect.

A Karnosa Krimson Princess will do well in a well-lit bathroom.

Light misting is one method of increasing the humidity around your Hoya Krimson Princess. The other uses a humidity dome.

Do not mist it when it is in bloom since doing so may cause water to seep into the rosettes of blooms and eventually cause them to decay. On hot days, mist the plant once or twice.

Humidifiers can raise the humidity in the home, although they are more expensive than a simple spray bottle.

The roots can be kept dry by placing the smaller pot within the larger one, and the gravel at the bottom can store some extra water for humidity.

Keeping a dish of water close to your plants will have a similar effect, although this isn’t very convenient or practical in most situations. Finally, a humid microclimate can be produced by grouping together a collection of plants.

Humidity & Watering Tips

Providing adequate humidity and moisture for your plant might be a major boost if it is struggling. Take a look at these guidelines for watering correctly.

Water in the morning rather than at night. This prevents your plant’s foot from being damp all night and lets excess water drain during the day. Constant night-time watering is another factor that leads to leaf spots in plants.

Don’t water the foliage; hydrate the stem and roots instead. For optimal results, irrigate the soil and roots of your plant with a gooseneck watering can.

Tropical plants are sensitive to temperature changes, and spraying with cold water when their roots are still warm might cause them to shed their leaves.

You must avoid overwatering. It’s possible, and surprisingly often, for individuals to be too gentle with their plants and cause them to die. Don’t try to compensate for a missed watering by watering it more heavily the following time.

Put your plant in the shower or find other ways to boost humidity so that it thrives. If you provide the high humidity typical of the tropics that this plant requires, it will endure almost anything.

Soil— Make It Well-Draining

Keeping the roots of this plant damp is essential for its survival. Ensure your plant has access to high-quality, well-draining potting mix to avoid this problem. If you want your plant to thrive, use fresh soil that drains quickly and doesn’t weigh down.

The recommended soil mixture for Krimson Princess is porous and airy, so it holds onto moisture without becoming clay-like or wet.

Aerating the soil with perlite, peat moss, clay balls, and orchid bark provides a lot of room for water and roots to find their way. It improves moisture retention and prevents root rot and other plant diseases.

Even if you’re growing your hoya plants indoors, don’t put them in a saucer of water. The most common faux pas of indoor gardeners is watering the Krimson Princess and then leaving it to remain in a tray of water, which is counterproductive if they use well-draining soil that drains efficiently.

You know it’s time to water your Hoya Krimson Princess when your finger, dug at a depth of 1 to 2 inches, comes out dry. Slowly pour water into the soil until it seeps through the bottom of the container. Let the water drain out, and then replace it.

If the soil mix is excessively dense and doesn’t have enough peat moss and perlite to keep the soil moist, it will cause root rot.

Watering Needs

The waxy leaves of a Hoya carnosa may trap and store water, making the plant an effective water storage tool.

Your Krimson Princess will probably be alright if you forget to water it a few times or take a long trip.

The summer months are the driest, so you’ll need to provide more water for your Krimson Princess than you would if you were watering it in the winter.

It’s a misconception that as the leaves of your Krimson Princess begin to pucker, it’s time to water the plant.

Any prolonged dryness that alters the leaf structure of your plant is too much. We can let that slide if it just happens once or twice. However, if you rely on your Krimson Princess’ puckering leaves as a visual cue to water it, you are doing severe damage to the plant’s longevity.

Water once a week indoors during the summer and once every 2-3 weeks during the winter. It depends more on the soil moisture than on the time of year. If it becomes sweltering in the summer, you may have to water it every few days.

Temperature Needs

It’s essential to keep the Krimson Princess plant warm. Hoyas can survive in a wide temperature range typically found in homes. Ideally, the temperature in the room where your Hoya is present should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you’re living in a warm place where temperatures can soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you should counter the heat by watering more frequently.

If you live in a warm climate, you can keep it outside all year long, but its growth rate will slow in winter.

For example, if you see a dramatic decline in leaf color from your Krimson Princess and the temperature is on the low side, it may be the cause.

Repotting Requirements

Like other Hoya carnosa varieties, these do not like having their roots dug out. They prefer a warm, sheltered environment, so a pot will do just fine.

However, keeping the plant bound in a small container will make the plant root bound. To give you an idea of what to expect, typically, look out for these:

As soon as you see roots poking through the drainage holes on the bottom or sides of the pot, repot the plant.

If the edges of your leaves are becoming yellow, it’s time to repot your plant.
If your Krimson Princess has outgrown its container, repot it promptly.
If the Hoya carnosa is now in bloom, you should not repot it.

Never repot your Hoya carnosa in the winter, when it is dormant and resting.

How to Repot

When repotting, it’s recommended to use a container slightly bigger than the one your Krimson plant is now in.

Don’t buy the biggest pot possible and hope your plant fits into it as it expands.

Your plant will be happy in its snug container, and it will be able to get enough air, water, and nutrients by simply upgrading to the next size.

Follow these simple instructions to repot your Hoya Krimson Princess:

Water the Krimson Princess plant well two to three days before repotting. This prevents the plant from drying out or becoming stressed due to the transition to its new container.
Carefully take it out of the pot. This could take some time if the plant’s roots have already begun to extend below the soil in the pot. A nursery or grow pot, typically more flexible, can be squeezed to dislodge the rootball.
Fill a new container halfway with soil and moisten it lightly and evenly. Keep aside for a while to drain the water.

Gently loosen the plant’s rootball to remove the old soil. Hoya like their roots to be clumped together; thus, try doing this step without getting the roots disturbed.
After removing the depleted soil, transfer the plant to the new pot and ensure the rootball is even with the rim of the new container. Don’t bury the rootball too deeply; doing that will suffocate the plant.
Gradually apply more soil around the rootball to fix it in place; you don’t want it slipping out or leaning to one side. Your plant should be positioned in the middle of the plant pot with its stems straight up.

The plant and the soil were soaked before planting, so avoid watering your Hoya for a few days after planting to let it settle. Later on, give it a good watering and let the soil drain.

Propagation

The Krimson Princess type of Hoya Carnosas is no different than any other in terms of how quickly they can be grown from stem cuttings.

The best times to plant a Hoya Krimson princess seed are in the spring and summer when the weather is warm enough for the plant to germinate. You shouldn’t try to start new plants in the winter; if you notice flower buds developing, you should wait until spring.

You can propagate Hoya Krimson princess by snipping off new stems. Whenever possible, pick a younger, greener, and more resilient stem and dip it in any rooting hormone before placing it in the soil. Next, treat your hoya babies like the hoya mother plant.

To properly distribute leaves along the stem, there should be three nodes. Keep the stems flowering and prevent them from growing too far. It could ruin the flowers and prevent a successful clipping.

Pests & Diseases

The Hoya Krimson Princess attracts insects and other common houseplant pests with its sweet smell and nectar. Insects of the sap-sucking species are particularly drawn to the Princess because of the sweetness of her nectar.

The most common pests attacking the Krimson Princess are scales, mealybugs, and spider mites.

Neem oil, insecticidal soap, or alcohol diluted in water will do the trick. Your plant’s leaves should be inspected at each watering, and any pests should be dealt with quickly.

Early discovery is crucial as these pests can reproduce at an alarming rate.

Spider mite infestation

Aside from aphids and mealybugs, spider mites are another common plant pest that gardeners will inevitably encounter.

Infestations of spider mites are particularly bothersome because so many of them appear at once. Also, these insects are exceptionally tiny, so by the time they are discovered, it is usually too late to prevent serious damage.

You probably have a spider mite infestation if you notice tiny webs on your Hoya plants.

Spider mites, like mealybugs, congregate under the leaves and nodes of your prized plant and spread webs all over it.

However, it is not always simple to recognize spider mites. You need to take immediate and extreme measures after you have confirmed that spider mites are the problem.

The first step is to create an environment where your plant may thrive in peace. Don’t risk having these bugs infest another one of your prized houseplants.

Then, once your hoya Krimson princess plant is completely isolated, it’s time to fight. Prepare by stocking up on neem oil, soap-based and insecticidal sprays, and a cloth dipped in diluted rubbing alcohol.

Increasing the humidity is your greatest protection against future infestations of spider mites, as these arachnid pests prefer dry conditions for survival.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs seem like little, white cotton balls. Your Hoya Krimson Princess can appear to have a dusty film on its leaves and woody stems. These annoying parasites are interested in draining your plant’s sap.

However, it is not always possible to detect these pests. The best technique to find mealybugs is to look underneath the foliage. Mealybugs, in particular, are drawn to young, growing plants. And the Hoya Krimson Princess, with its softer branches and leaves, is an easier target.

The upside of dealing with these creatures is that they move slowly, so the harm they cause is usually not too severe.

The solution to eliminating mealybugs is rubbing alcohol. Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and use it to clean the area. The mealybugs won’t last long after coming into contact with it.

Several options exist for treating mealybug infestations.

The use of soap-based sprays is recommended for controlling massive mealybug populations. For this purpose, Castille soap works well.

Spray your Hoya Krimson Princess with one tablespoon of natural Castille soap per one liter of water every two weeks till the mealybugs are gone for good.

Scale Insects

Scales are parasitic insects that feed on the sap of their hosts and can be found on your Hoya Krimson Princess’s stem. They usually stay put and don’t move much from their position. The presence of these pests suggests that the plant may be experiencing some damage. Further, these insects are exceptionally tolerant, and the protective barrier provided by the shell means that they are typically unaffected by common household cleaners and insecticides. The most effective way to get rid of the insects is to pluck them one by one. If using your nails to remove these pesky insects sounds too gross, you can opt for a toothbrush or a blunt knife!

Conclusion

The stunning Hoya Princess from the hoya carnosa species is an excellent addition to any home. Hoya Krimson Princess Care might seem hard at first, but if you follow this guide, you’ll soon have a healthy hoya plant.

It is drought tolerant and requires bright indirect sunlight, a well-draining soil mix, and average humidity. Its winding vines look best in a hanging planter.

Hoya Carnosa Krimson Princess Care

Hoya Krimson Princess Background

Indoor Vs. Outdoor Growing

Leaves and Flowers