Hoya Caudata Care InfographicHoya caudata is an exotic vining plant that can add a lot of charm to any space. If you wish to spruce up your home or garden with this plant, then this article is the right one for you.
Our in-depth hoya caudata plant care guide details the requirements, propagation techniques and tips to tackle the most common issues. So wait no longer and dive straight into the article!
What Is a Hoya Caudata?
The Hoya caudata is an eye-catching tropical vining plant with waxy green and red-tinged leaves. It is also called Hoya Caudata Sumatra or Hoya Caudata Sumatra flower and is native to Southeast Asian countries. A favorite for hobbyists and home gardeners, it is commonly grown in hanging baskets on patios and driveways.
Hoya Caudata Care
The caudata, also called the hoya caudata silver, is a tropical plant and thus will thrive well when provided with a similar environment. In this section, we list the essential aspects you need to pay attention to for a healthy and green plant with flowers and blooms intact.
To make this plant happy and healthy, you will need to provide it with indirect filtered light and slightly acidic, well-draining soil. Since this is a tropical plant, it requires a higher range of temperatures from 60 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit and a humid environment of 60 to 80 percent.
– Water Requirements
The plant isn’t a thirsty one and requires just enough water to keep its soil moist.
It is highly sensitive to both soggy as well as bone dry soil, so check the moisture level before you add in more water by sticking your finger into the soil to feel for wetness.
Maintain a proper schedule, taking care to frequently water in the warmer months of summer. Scale back in the cold winter months when the plant remains in a state of dormancy.
– Light Requirements
Similar to the other hoya varieties, this variety also prefers indirect and filtered light. Direct and harsh rays of the sun can hamper growth, making the plant wilted and limp. The plant can tolerate direct heat for a short duration, however, increased exposure can result in sunburned hoya caudata leaves.
The ideal scenario would be to place the plant in 50 percent shade, away from direct light. You can choose to create a greenhouse by having a garden cloth or sheet over it to create diffused light. If growing the plant indoors, place the plant near south or north-facing windows, using curtains or UV sheets as a light filter.
– Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature to grow a healthy hoya caudata is between 60 degrees to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant seldom fares well in frosty and low temperatures, so keep them away from cold drafts and chilly winds. Similarly, extremely hot and dry climates scorch their leaves, making them wilt and limp.
To further add to this, sudden and drastic changes in temperatures also hamper their health and growth. So keep these points in mind and grow your hoya caudata in a spot where the temperature is consistently warm and within the ideal range.
– Soil Requirements
The plant thrives in slightly acidic and moist soil with good drainage, thus use a potting mix with equal parts of perlite, peat and orchid mix. You can additionally include charcoal or fir bark to improve the aeration of the soil. Never let water collect at the base of the plant as this could result in root rot and hamper the health of the plant.
– Humidity Requirements
Typical of most tropical plants, hoya caudata prefers high humidity levels in the air around it, so a consistent humidity level of 60 percent to 80 percent needs to be maintained to grow a thriving plant.
You can improve humidity levels by placing a tray with pebbles and water below your pot or container. If placed indoors, use a humidifier in the room to increase moisture in the air.
– Fertilizing Requirements
Hoya caudata requires over-the-top feeding to ensure its foliage stays lush, green and healthy, hence a light fertilizer that is high in nitrogen content is required to fertilize the plant.
When the plant is producing its blooms, switch over to a phosphorus-based fertilizer. The important point to be noted here is that nitrogen maintains healthy foliage and phosphorous aids in producing blooms.
Maintain a monthly schedule to fertilize the plant and withdraw this during the cold winter months when the plant remains in a state of dormancy.
– Pruning
Unlike its counterparts, the hoya caudata requires minimal pruning, thus prune only when the plant has turned woody with dead stems. Do not cut the peduncles on the plant as they will not bloom again. The best method is to just prune them up to the nodes.
Propagation
Propagate Hoya caudata easily using multiple ways. In this section, we cover each of these methods in detail and guide you in a step-by-step manner to produce a new plant offset.
– Right Season To Propagate
The right season to propagate the Hoya caudata plant is during the warm months of spring and summer, as this will give the plant enough warmth and time to cope. Additionally, spring and summer are the growth months when the rate is faster in comparison to the cooler months of fall and winter when the plant enters a state of dormancy.
Thus, it is wise to take advantage of this factor when propagating a new offset.
– Tools Required
Before you begin your process of propagation, keep these tools ready and at hand:
- A garden shear or pruner: Sterilize tools before use with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol to prevent the spread of bacterial or fungal infections.
- A light aerated potting mix
- A container or tray with well-draining drainage holes
- A plastic sheet or wrap with tiny holes or a glass container with breathable openings
– Propagation Method
The Hoya caudata can be propagated using herbaceous stem cuttings, woody stems, leaves or seeds. The plant is slow-growing, though it can produce blooms year after year when grown under favorable conditions. It can take several weeks to spot fresh growth and months for it to grow into an adult plant, so be patient after propagation to see the first few juvenile leaves.
Also after propagation, the plant does not require repotting as it prefers to be root bound. They produce better and extra blooms when retained in the same pot. If you wish to repot the plant for other reasons such as root rot, then do so in the warm months of spring or summer to give the plant enough warmth of the seasons to pick up health.
– Herbaceous Stem Cutting
A herbaceous cutting is made from a non-woody section of the plant. We can use these to propagate new offsets of the plant. Here is how you go about it:
- Pick a healthy and mature adult plant and place a gentle cut on it of three to five inches at the node, ensuring there aren’t any leaves around this.
- Keep the section slightly moist and dip the cut end into some rooting hormone. This will speed up the entire propagation process.
- Place the cut section in a container filled with potting mix. Ensure the soil is well-draining and light, moreover, you can throw in some perlite to create more aeration.
- When planting the section in the soil, place it at least 1.5 inches deep. Going too deep will prevent the developing roots from getting there due to oxygen and humidity.
- Also, ensure you keep the container in a well-lit and bright location. You can also choose to place a sheet over it to kick in more moisture around it.
- The stem cutting will begin to root in a week. Care for the plant as per our care guide above and you will get a healthy growing Hoya caudata in a month.
– Woody Stem Cutting
Woody stems are those that turn brown and woody past the winter months. You can use these sections to propagate new offsets of the plant as well.
- Take a woody section of a mature and healthy adult plant that is five inches in length. Place the cut just above the node.
- Keep the section clean of dust and lightly moisten it. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone powder to speed up the propagation process.
- Plant it around one to two inches deep in light and aerated potting soil. Water lightly and place a plastic sheet over it to retain humidity. You can poke holes in the plastic sheet to allow for air ventilation.
- Give the plant indirect light with just the right amount of warmth and moisture away from the harsh rays of the sun.
- In two weeks, the stem will begin to root, and within a month, new leaves will begin to sprout.
- It may take several more months for the plant to grow into a mature plant and produce blooms.
– Propagation Using Seeds
You can propagate using seeds, though it will take more time for a mature plant to develop through this and the success rate isn’t very high. Nevertheless, here is the detailed procedure using seeds:
- Collect seeds from the Hoya caudata fruits. You can dry the seeds and save them for up to one year before you use them.
- Sow them directly into the potting mixture in a shallow tray. Ensure you leave a gap of around an inch between the seeds as well.
- Water the soil lightly and ensure it receives warmth and partial light.
- It will take around seven days for the seedlings to sprout. Wait until the saplings grow to transplant them into a pot.
– Hoya Caudata Leaf Propagation
Using a leaf section to propagate the plant may be a challenge as not all leaves are capable of developing into full-fledged adult plants. Yet it is worth a try, and here is how you can go about it:
- Pick a leaf from a healthy and mature plant. Gently snip it off at the node.
- Allow this to dry or form a callus for two days.
- Soak the leaf petiole in a root growth stimulant or hormone powder. This will make the entire process faster for you.
- Plant this in a container, making sure you place it at an angle of 45 degrees.
- In about a month, the leaf will begin to develop nascent roots in the soil. Care for it as per the plant’s ideal care conditions. Additionally, you can also add hormone powder at the base.
- In several weeks, the leaves will increase in height and you will begin to notice the first few nodes appearing.
Problems
The hoya caudata plant is not devoid of problems. The most common ones are listed below, along with tips to set them right.
– Leaves on the Hoya Caudata Turning Yellow
The leaves on the Hoya caudata will turn yellow if it has been overwatered. Too much water at the roots hampers the health of the plant and the result is the yellowing of leaves. To tackle this problem, maintain a proper watering schedule, as overwatering as well as underwatering can kill the plant.
Allow the soil to dry completely between watering. The pot needs to have good drainage and the soil needs to be light and porous. Never over-fertilize your hoya caudata as this can lead to fertilizer burn where the plant will turn yellow with curled leaves.
– Thin and Droopy Leaves
Your hoya caudata may develop thin and droopy leaves if it is placed under stressful conditions. A dry atmosphere, over-exposure to heat, and bone dry soil are a few common causes that result in this condition. To fix this, care for the plant following the details mentioned in our care section above.
Remember these are tropical plants and seek a similar environment to grow and thrive. Also, the hoya caudata plant likes to be misted, provided that the weather is hot and dry. Do not mist if there is enough humidity around or when the plant is blooming, as this could lead to too much water for the plant.
– Slow, Stunted or Misshapen Leaves
If your plant is showing signs of slow, stunted growth or misshapen leaves, it can be due to a sudden change in temperature or light conditions. Such changes cause stress, preventing the proper growth of the plant and stopping it from taking the right shape.
To tackle this condition, keep the plant in a spot where it will receive constant levels of light and heat. Move the plant indoors in cold weather away from frost. You can provide it with indoor grow lights to take care of its light and warmth requirements.
– Pests and Diseases
Hoya caudata can be infected by scale, thrips, spider mites, mealybugs and aphids. These pests feast on the foliage, making them weak and limp.
The first thing to do when you spot a pest is to isolate the plant to avert its spread. Gently snip away the infected vines with a garden pruner and follow it up by spraying an organic soapy insecticide. You can prevent pests and diseases by keeping the plant dust free and occasionally wiping the leaves with a damp cloth.
– Root Rot
Overwatering the hoya caudata results in root rot, where vines turn limp and wilted. With excess water in the soil, the roots do not receive enough oxygen and are thus unable to thrive and grow.
Prevent root rot by avoiding overwatering of the plant. If you suspect root rot, scale back on the watering immediately. Examine the roots and snip away any blackened sections and repot the plant in a fresh potting mix.
– Dying Vines
Are you finding the long vines of your plant limp and dying? It is most likely due to the plant not receiving enough light. Remember that this plant requires partially diffused light, so choose a spot where it can receive a constant level for at least four to five hours daily.
If placed indoors, avoid dingy corners and move the plant near a window where it can receive light throughout the day. Keep the humidity high as dry conditions make the plant wilt and turn leaves limp.
FAQ
Does Hoya Caudata thrive as a hanging plant?
Yes, Hoya Caudata thrives as a hanging plant as it naturally grows as a vine in its native habitat. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, making it a great choice for a hanging basket.
What kind of pots does Hoya Caudata like?
Hoya Caudata prefers well-draining pots with adequate drainage holes, like terracotta or ceramic pots.
Is Hoya Caudata a succulent?
No, Hoya Caudata is not a succulent but a tropical plant that prefers high humidity and indirect light.
Conclusion
In this detailed guide, you have read the easy procedures to take care and propagate the attractive hoya caudata plant. A quick summary of the important points is listed below:
- Hoya caudata is an attractive tropical plant that has long vining stems and fragrant blooms that makes it perfect and suitable for hanging baskets.
- The leaves have a waxy surface and silver patterned splotches with red undersides. Each leaf can reach a length of four to seven inches.
- The plant requires slightly moist soil, moderate temperatures, partial light and high humidity to thrive into healthy foliage.
- You can easily propagate the plant using stem cuttings and seeds.
- Most of the problems of the plant can be tackled by monitoring its water schedule and keeping pests at bay.
Growing the vines of the hoya caudata in garden spaces sure has advantages. It is stress-free, occupies less space and requires minimal time for care.
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