Hoya Arnottiana is a delightful and attractive vining plant that produces beautiful pale white blooms. This exotic plant can be grown both indoors and outdoors and does not require any special care as it is easy to maintain.
In this article, we are going to give you all the information that you need to grow this charming plant in your home or garden space.
Our experts list out tips and tricks to care for, propagate and grow the plant successfully in a hassle-free manner, so read on to know it all.
What is Hoya Arnottiana?
Hoya Arnottiana is a sub-tropical vining plant that produces delightful pale white blooms. This plant is native to the Himalayan regions and grows magnificent long vines and clustered flowers with an orange calyx. The dark leaves add to its charm apart from the air purifying abilities it possesses.
Hoya Arnottiana Care
This hoya variant looks good on hanging pots on patios and balconies due to its long vining stems. It requires well-draining soil, moderate levels of humidity and warmth, and a measured watering schedule to aid it in retaining its beautiful foliage throughout the year.
In this below section we list out each of the care aspects you need to focus on. We list out exactly what you need to pay heed to ensure the plant stays healthy and nourished.
– Water Requirements
This epiphytotic hoya variant is drought resistant and prefers less water at its roots. Never overwater the plant as this can be detrimental to its health. The plant grows well when the soil is consistent in its moisture levels. Thus, avoid keeping it too soggy or just completely bone dry. Underhydration is equally harmful to the plant.
Both extremes will prevent the roots from absorbing oxygen properly. So water just right and you should see a healthy and thriving plant. also, modify your watering schedule as per the season, by increasing during hot, sultry days and scaling back during winters.
– Light Requirements
Similar to other hoya variants such as hoya dasyantha, hoya camphorifolia, hoya nutans, hoya limoniaca, hoya fungii, hoya bonii and hoya balaensis, this hoya too, requires bright yet indirect sunlight to thrive and grow healthily .
Keep the plant in a spot where it can receive adequate levels of diffused sunlight, at least for four to six hours every day. Never expose it to direct light as overexposure to the sun’s harsh rays can create a stress condition for the plant, making the leaves turn brittle and brown.
If you are growing your plant indoors, move it near an east-facing window where it can receive the maximum sunlight in the morning hours. To create diffused sunlight outdoors you could place a green garden sheet over it so that it can be protected from direct light. Alternatively, you can place it under a tree canopy or balcony or patio.
– Soil Requirements
This Hoya plant is very simple to care for if the soil is exactly right for it. You would need to use a high-quality and well-draining potting mix that is light and porous. Heavy soils drain out water really slowly thus the roots end up sitting in water for a long time. As the plant is an epiphyte, such a condition puts the plant at risk of developing fungal diseases and root rot.
The ideal potting mix can include one part of perlite with orchid bark and some peat moss along with some grit and sand. This combination would ensure there is adequate aeration of the soil. Also, ensure the pot or container the plant is placed in is well-draining and permits the free out flow of water.
– Temperature Requirements
This hoya plant prefers a tropical and warm environment within the temperature range between 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius). The plant will seldom survive at temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and extreme heat over 90 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 32 degrees Celsius).
Both extremes are not good for the health of the plant. So move the plant away from the harsh sun’s heat by protecting it under partial shade, tree canopies or in a greenhouse.
In winter protect it from frost conditions, cold drafts and getting chilled by moving them indoors under artificial grow lights. Additionally, protect the plant from sudden blasts of air from air-conditioner and heater vents.
– Humidity Requirements
The plant requires a relatively humid environment at a level of 60 percent. At a slightly lower level, you may have the plant surviving, however the foliage may look limp and dry. The best way to retain some amount of moisture is by misting it regularly or by grouping it with other similar plants.
Additionally, you may also place a paper tray filled with water below the plant container. As the water in the tray evaporates there will be a boost to the humidity in the air. If you are growing it indoors you could use a humidifier to kick in some moisture
– Fertilizing Requirements
The plant is not a heavy feeder, thus a balanced liquid formula twice a month should work just fine. Use a fertilizer with a high percentage of nitrogen potassium and phosphorus to boost the vibrant foliage of the plant. Additionally, you could also use a slow-release liquid formula and apply it at the base of the plant.
Do not fertilize the Hoya plant in the winter as this could result in an excess salt build-up at the roots. In the colder months, the plants are in a state of dormancy and thus do not require much fertilizer use.
– Pruning
As a vining plant, this hoya does well when it is regularly pruned. Regular pruning helps to retain its shape as well as boost its growth. The ideal time to prune the plant is during the warm months of spring and summer. Use a sterile garden knife to snip away wilted, diseased or decayed leaves gently. Pruning will also help you to tend to overgrown vines.
Propagation
You can propagate this plant via stem cuttings. The process is easy and hassle-free, you can create your healthy offset, all by yourself. In this section we will give you the complete details on the process in a step-by-step manner, from the procedure to the right season to propagate, so read on.
– The Right Season to Propagate
The right season to propagate the plant is in the warm months between early spring and the end of summer when the plant is in its growth phase. It is at this time that the roots can establish themselves healthily.
In the cold fall and winter months, the plant prepares itself to enter a state of dormancy thereby conserving energy. Thus, it will take a long time for the roots to establish themselves and the offset to sprout new growth. It is recommended that you avoid propagation as the temperature dips.
– Tools Required
You will need to keep the following tools ready at hand before you begin your process or propagation. Always sterilize all equipment with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol to prevent the spread of bacteria or fungal infections.
- You will require a sharp garden knife.
- A container filled with the right type of potting soil.
- A plastic sheet with tiny holes and some rooting hormone.
– Propagation Method
You can also propagate your plan through seeds, however stem cutting is the easiest way and the success rate is much higher in comparison to seed germination. The process is fuss-free and you will see results much faster as well. Here is how you go about the entire process.
- Pick a non-flowering stem segment from a healthy mother plant and cut a section from it. Ensure the cut section has at least two more nodes intact.
- Dip one end into rooting hormone and place it in a well-draining potting mix. Rooting hormones will speed up the process. Cover this with a plastic sheet so that it can lock in some humidity around the cut plant section.
- After a few days, you can remove this sheet so that excess humidity does not affect the plant. Place the plant section in a warm and well-ventilated spot and leave it undisturbed for a few weeks, taking care that the soil remains slightly moist.
In a few weeks, this section will begin to develop roots and establish independent growth. At this stage, once the roots have set in, you can choose to transplant the plant if desired.
Problems
This Hoya variant is not devoid of problems. You will face a few challenges while caring for it, however, you need not stress as there are easy solutions to tackle them all. In this below section, we address the most common problems of the plant and ways by which you can easily tackle them.
– Pest Infestations
Spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids are the most common houseplant pests that attack the foliage and the long vines of this Hoya variant. These pests are notorious and are known to drain out the sap from the plant making the vines look limp and weak.
The pests leave behind a white sticky substance which in turn attracts ants that feed on the tender leaves. The best way to tackle these pests is to use an organic liquid such as neem oil, applied to the affected area.
Additionally, an insecticidal soap diluted with water should also do the job. Also, the first thing to do when you spot these web-like textures is to isolate the Hoya so that they do not spread to nearby garden plants. It is also good to snip away sections of the vine if the infestation is minor to reduce the risk of it spreading to other sections of the plant.
– Plant Not Flowering
This Hoya plant produces pale white blooms in hot climates and yellow flowers when the weather is cooler. The flowers appear in clusters surrounded by an orange calyx. If you notice that your plants are not producing blooms or adequate flowers it could be because of inadequate light.
The plant prefers bright yet partial light for at least four to six hours a day to produce its blooms. You will also need to keep the soil nourished with a good quality NPK formula which will boost production. Additionally, the plant prefers to rebound so do not repot it often. Once you take care of these aspects you will notice that the Hoya plant will produce enough blooms.
– Dying Vines
Hoya Arnottiana is an epiphytic plant and uses natural surfaces as support to thrive. If you find the vines dying and looking limp, the reason is yet again inadequate light. Move the plant to a well-lit spot as per the details in our care section and you will find the vines come back to life.
Avoid dingy corners, especially if you are growing them indoors and keep them close to an east-facing window. Alternatively, you could place the plant under artificial grow lights which will provide it with the required levels of light.
– Root Rot
This Hoya variant is drought-resistant and does not like too much water in the soil. Excess water is detrimental and the consequences can be drastic. One such is a fungal disease or root rot. Root rot makes your plant go limp, the leaves drop in numbers and the buds wilt prematurely.
If you suspect root rot, the first thing to do is to scale back on the water and gently remove the plant from the soil. Inspect for blackened sections on the root and snip it with a sterile pruner. Transplant into fresh well-draining potting soil and care for it as per the details in our care section.
– Buds Fall Before They Bloom
If you find that the attractive buds are falling off the vines well before they could bloom, it could be because your soil is either extremely dehydrated or it is overwatered.
Both conditions prevent adequate absorption of oxygen by the roots thus leading to weak buds that fall before their time. Monitor your soil condition by keeping it slightly moist and aerated. Mix in some organic matter such as bark, perlite or wood shavings and keep the soil acidic. This should ensure that the blooms stay healthy and the buds do not fall before their time.
– Slow or Stunted Growth
Is your Hoya plant growing slow or seems stunted? This could be due to an incorrect watering routine. Check the level of moisture in the soil before you water it. You could do a simple finger test by pushing your finger one inch into the soil and feeling for moisture.
You should not let the soil go completely bone dry and at the same time never let the roots remain in the water for long. Both conditions can hamper the health of the plant leading to slower or stunted growth.
– Droopy and Thin Leaves
You may often find the leaves on the Hoya vine looking droopy and thinning out. This occurs if the plant has been placed in one or more stressful conditions. The most common one of them is an overly dry environment.
The plant is tropical and thus prefers humidity around it to thrive. It seldom likes a dry atmosphere or soil that is bone dry. Tackle both these conditions and your plant will look vibrant and thriving.
Keep the soil lightly moist at all times. Mist the foliage regularly if you are growing the plant in a dry zone. Alternatively, you could also place a pebble tray below the plant container. Keep the plant in a well-ventilated area allowing air circulation around it.
FAQ
– Do Hoyas Like To Climb or Hang?
That depends on the specific variety. Some prefer to climb but yet others have too heavy leaves to make that possible. They will be left quite happily to just trail.
Conclusion
You have now read in this detailed guide how easy it is to grow this vining plant.
Let us summarize all that we have learned in the section below.
- The Hoya Arnottiana is a delightful vining plant that produces attractive pale white blooms. The plant is evergreen and perennial, making it a favorite among many gardeners.
- Being a tropical plant it prefers warm climatic conditions with moderately-high levels of humidity. It thrives in well-draining acidic soil and warm temperatures to sustain its foliage.
- Keep the plant away from direct sunlight as this could scorch its leaves. It thrives best and produces enough blooms when placed in bright yet partial sunlight for a minimum of four to six hours every day.
- The plant can be propagated by using stem cuttings which is the easiest and most hassle-free way to create a new offset of the plant.
- Tackle most of the problems of the Hoya by maintaining the ideal environmental conditions, keeping pests at bay and monitoring your working schedule.
Having understood how to grow this plant you would surely want to include it in your home or garden. So wait no longer and spread its beauty by filling up your space with its charm and blooms.
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