A lush succulent with tropical origins, Hoya carnosa Variegata, is often referred to as hoya carnosa variegata tricolor. The wax plant has been a standard decorative plant in many eastern homes for a long time. Due to their drought tolerance and long-lasting leaves, they are essential for both a garden and indoor plant collection.
Plant Care Guide for Hoya Carnosa
Table of Contents
Hoya carnosa is resilient and simple to maintain plants because of their waxy, thick leaves and modest drought resistance. The species naturally develops as an epiphyte in the tropical rainforests of Australia and eastern Asia. Such plants work best inside hanging baskets in which they can trail naturally. Hoya carnosa ‘Tricolor’ is a beautiful, low-maintenance introduction to every collection of houseplants because of its rich, white, and pink variegated leaves and delicate, sweetly fragrant blooms.
Light Needs of Hoya Carnosa Plant
Hoya plants generally like intense but not direct light, although the Hoya carnosa plants can tolerate a broader range of lights. High, medium and low light conditions all favor its growth.
However, it won’t grow well in low light or direct light and might not bloom, as with most plants.
A hoya carnosa is hanging in a container in a well-lit area of the house that receives early afternoon sun or late morning. Make sure the plant receives only bright indirect light if it’s outdoors, so keep it in the shade.
If you keep it in bright light, the leaves may burn. Plant owners often decide to keep it indoors all year, where there is plenty of bright indirect light. But some have great luck growing hoyas under the shade outside. They adore it.
Watering Needs
When you water hoya carnosa variegata, less can be more because it is known as an epiphytic plant. Examining first to see whether the top two inches of soil is entirely dry to touch is essential in avoiding overwatering, which may be harmful to the plant.
Hoya carnosa Variegata should be watered about once in two weeks. However, the wax plant would help if you changed the watering schedule during the summer when the plant may require more moisture and lower it as winter approaches. Be aware of how much water the Hoya tricolor requires and avoid overwatering as this might cause root rot.
Temperature Needs
Maintaining the health of indoor plants requires understanding the ideal temperature range. The Hoya Tricolor’s typical temperature range is between 70 and 80 °F (21 and 26 °C). They can withstand high temperatures and thrive well in 11 and 12 USDA hardiness zones. Limit temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit since they might harm the plant.
Since the wax plant frequently ranges between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius, the appropriate temperature for Hoya carnosa Variegata can be readily obtained at home. Overall, the plant loves to be kept in a warm room, although when planted outside, exposure to shallow temperatures must be prevented to minimize freezing damage to the plant.
Humidity Needs
The Hoya Tricolor prefers medium to high humidity levels. Relatively, indoor humidity levels are ideal, but you may also change the amount of moisture in the air by using a humidifier or sometimes spraying the air. For Hoya carnosa Variegata, the optimal humidity range is between 40% and 60%.
A pebble tray containing water can be set up and placed underneath the potted plant while caring for this tropical plant. You may also put up a larger pebble tray to hold more houseplants; by doing so, they will be near one another, and the air will be more saturated with moisture.
Soil Needs
Hoya carnosa Variegata prefers soil rich in organic materials and drains well. This should replicate the soil the plant is used to in the wild. You may make Hoya Tricolor soil by combining equal amounts of coco coir, compost, and brand-new garden soil. With OM, moisture retention and soil nutrients are enhanced, and the drainage and texture are improved with coco coir.
Hoya carnosa Variegata has a moderately to mildly acidic pH range of 6.1 to 6.5. Remember that you could also use a good quality potting mix generally used for plants like orchids and get that from a local neighborhood plant store.
Fertilizer Needs
You may choose a water-soluble fertilizer with a good balance for Hoya Tricolor; however, as it is a leafy plant, you might want to change the nitrogen amount to make 2:1:2 or 3:1:2 ratios. The hoya tricolor will be content with the fertilizer ratio and be able to grow more vital shoots as a result.
Give fertilizer to the Hoya carnosa Variegata once after two weeks after diluting it to half intensity. This could be important in the growing season, which often occurs in the summer or early spring. In the winter months, fertilizer application is not necessary.
Diseases, Pests, and Illnesses
Although the hoya plant is pretty resilient, it may become vulnerable to several fungal illnesses if it is not given the proper care. You might notice some large, gray spots in the middle or edges of diseased plants are telltale signs of botrytis blight. Wilting and dark brown or black stem lesions are other symptoms to watch for. Fungicides containing sulfur or copper may help treat it.
Additionally, problematic are mealybugs, aphids, and other pests that suck out the sap and may spread various bacterial or fungal illnesses. Treat the wax plant with diluted insecticidal soap or neem oil when you first find the infestation.
Another issue is root rot, which is brought on by overwatering. It is usually advisable to stay cautious and underwater the plant.
How Toxic Are Hoya Carnosa?
Hoya carnosa is considered non-toxic to humans and animals, but eating them might make you feel sick and throw you up. It is recommended that you keep such plants away from children and animals.
For People
It is safe to grow Hoya Tricolor plants in homes. Hoya plants are on the University of Connecticut’s record of non-toxic indoor plants that are simple to care for. Humans must avoid ingesting any portion of the plant, especially children since this might still have adverse effects.
Vomiting, skin irritability, diarrhea, and nausea are signs that the plant might have been consumed. Hoya tricolor shouldn’t be touched or ingested, even if it is not regarded as lethal and might not be as concerning as when compared to plants that genuinely have some toxicity.
For Pets
Despite not being harmful to animals, the Hoya Tricolor shouldn’t be given to any domestic pets as it might upset their stomachs and result in several symptoms like uncontrolled urination, feces, and vomiting. As a result, it’s crucial to use caution while cultivating the plant inside.
This epiphytic plant often struggles to get resources in the wild, given the habitat that it evolved in. As a result, it has developed phytochemicals that might be helpful for its search in tropical regions. The substances might trigger a response if significant amounts were consumed, which is best treated and eased in the veterinarian’s clinic.
Tips for Pruning and Repotting
All indoor plants require some maintenance, such as occasional repotting and trimming, although some are far simpler to care for than others. Another such simple plant is the hoya carnosa! They enjoy being root-bound, or even “pot-bound,” which allows them to remain within the same pot for ages.
The hoya carnosa’s ability to feel secure in its location may also help it to bloom. However, be sure to only size the plant up in a pot that is only a few inches bigger when it comes to repotting it. The plant’s root ball can drown in water-logged dirt if the container is too big.
Propagation
Stem cuttings are the simplest and most popular method of propagating Hoya carnosa Variegata. Use healthy stems with some nodes around 4 to 5 inches long for propagation. Trim a stem with a few leaves across using a clean knife or pair of shears.
The Hoya carnosa Variegata may be readily propagated by either putting the cuttings straight into the soil or by letting them sit in a container of water for extended periods of time. Anticipate some roots to emerge in 3–4 weeks if you put the plant close to a source of bright indirect light.
The Appearance of Hoya Tricolor
The Hoya carnosa tricolor is distinguished by its thick, waxy leaves and striking shades of white, pink, and green. The Hoya Tricolor has a creamy variegation that extends from the middle of the leaf to the borders, much like most hoya plants. The plant has been a beloved houseplant for years because of how simple it is to look after and how resilient it is.
Foliage
The Hoya tricolor plant’s leaf might be considered its most desirable characteristic. The plant makes a beautiful display in hanging planters or pots because of its succulent, broad leaves with a fantastic combination of off-white and rich green hues. Additionally, because of its capacity to store water, it can live even in dry soil and drought circumstances.
All leaves are up to 3 inches broad and around an inch thick. Over time, the hoya tricolor’s pinkish vines’ leaves will gracefully drape from them, creating an exquisite sight for any home or tropical garden.
Flowering
Since spring to summer is the best season for floral growth, the Hoya Tricolor often flowers at this time. The Hoya carnosa Variegata flowers are small, star-shaped, and covered in microscopic hairs that give them a fuzzy look. They come in a range of colors, from pink to off-white. It grows in bunches of 10 to 30.
The plant ultimately emits a delicious scent brought on by the bloom’s nectar throughout the flowering season, which may last up to a few weeks. A few even claim that the flavor resembles chocolate and smells like honey.
Amount and Growth
Plants of the Hoya Tricolor variety grow quite quickly. Hoya carnosa may grow to an incredible 20 feet in length in its native and wild habitat. Nevertheless, in an indoor environment, the plant will only reach a height of around 2-3 meters, and the vines will only extend up to six feet.
Conclusion
The growth and development of the Hoya Tricolor may be accelerated even further by fertilizer treatment throughout the growing season. However, based on the fertilizer ratio, increased nitrogen concentration supports greater leaf creation. Trimming the hoya tricolor also gives it a healthier, fuller appearance. Best of luck in taking care of your Hoya Carnosa Tricolor plant!