Hoya Ciliata is a delightful tropical plant that produces star-shaped black flowers with a yellow center. This exotic plant can easily be grown in your space, whether indoors or outdoors, with just basic gardening knowledge.
In this article, you will read all the information that you need to get your facts clear on caring for this plant.
Our detailed guide provides tips and tricks on propagation and solutions to tackle the most common problems satisfactorily, so read on.
What Is Hoya Ciliata?
Hoya Ciliata is a tropical plant that comes with star-shaped black flowers with a yellow center. It is an ornamental plant and its blooms with the peanut-butter fragrant make the plant much sought after. Native to Malaysia and Indonesia, the plant is also known as the Black Hoya.
Hoya Ciliata Plant Care
The ciliata is a fast-growing succulent house plant and with its evergreen and perennial growth, it is delightful and adds a charm to any space. If you want to get the best out of this Hoya variant you will have to focus on these aspects. Giving the ideal environment to the plant, closest to its native is the best thing to offer it.
– Water Requirements
The plant requires water at regular intervals, but at limited levels. It grows well when the soil is consistently and lightly moist at all times. The most important aspect that you will need to take care of is to not overwater the Hoya Ciliata Black, as soggy soil is detrimental to the plant’s health. At the same time, underwatering dehydrates the plant and turns the foliage brown.
Maintain a proper watering schedule and water once every two days. Let the soil saturate completely between waterings. Never leave the plant in standing water as this could lead to fungal root rot in the plant.
Abstain from watering if the top soil already seems moist. Roots seldom absorb oxygen effectively, if the soil is overly moist. Scale back in winter or increase frequency during warmer days.
– Light Requirements
As a tropical plant, the amount of light and its duration greatly impacts the health and growth of the hoya. The plant thrives well in moderate levels of bright yet diffused light.
Avoid overexposing it to direct sunlight as this causes the leaves to scorch and turn brown. At the same time, move the plant away from dingy dark corners which may make the vines limp and leggy.
If you are growing indoors, move the black hoya near south-facing windows where the light from the sun is not harsh. You may need to place it behind curtains, or shade cloths if the sun from the window is for extended periods. In winter, provide the plant with artificial grow lights to take care of its light as well as heat requirements.
– Soil Requirements
Similar to other variants of the same Hoya family, this plant too requires well-nourished organic soil. Coupled with the fact that it detests soggy soils, you will have to inspect and pick the right potting mix to keep the plant happy and thriving.
The ideal soil for the plant is an organic mix that is well-draining, loose and aerated. The soil needs to be acidic between a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Mix in perlite, compost, fine bark and worm castings to get the perfect blend for the plant. Throw in a bit of mulch and you have the perfect soil that will prevent water accumulation. Ensure your pot or container has proper drainage holes to permit free flow out of the water and good airflow into the pot.
– Temperature Requirements
This is a tropical plant and loves to thrive in a warm environment that is similar to its native. The ideal temperature range is between 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The plant will struggle to survive at temperatures lower than 50 degrees. At the same time, extreme heat with temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit make the plant limp and the vines go weak.
Move the plant into partial shade such as patio or balconies in the summers, away from the direct heat of the sun. In winters, protect the plant from frost conditions and chilly winds by moving it indoors and growing them under artificial lights. Also, keep the plant away from blasts of air from the air conditioner and heater vents.
– Humidity Requirements
The Black Ciliata plant is a succulent and thrives in a humidity level of 60 percent. If you are in a dry zone, the best way to maintain it is to mist the plant frequently.
You could also group the vining plant among larger plants to help it benefit from the collective humidity. Alternatively, place a pebble tray with water below the container to kick in some moisture around the plant.
However, do note excess moisture can also make the plant susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases. Monitor the environment your plant is growing in and kick in moisture only if the air around is dry. Keep a close watch on the plant and if you notice symptoms such as a foul odor or yellowing of leaves, reduce humidity.
– Fertilizing Requirements
The Hoya Ciliata plant is a light feeder and does not require the addition of regular fertilizers. However, light formula with a higher percentage of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in the ratio of 3:1:2, plays an important role in boosting the production of blooms and flowers.
Feed the plant with a good quality fertilizer once every two to three weeks. Alternatively, you can use a slow-release liquid formula as well, applied at the base of the plant. Prevent overfertilizing as this could lead to nutrient toxicity in the form of excess salt build-up in the soil.
– Pruning
Being an ornamental and exotic plant the ciliata will require regular pruning to keep it in shape and looking attractive. The vines may tend to overgrow and pruning will help to give them an aesthetic look. Further, pruning helps to boost growth and also reduces the chances of the spread of fungal, bacterial and pest infestations.
Before you prune, always sterilize your tools with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol. Begin by snipping out all dead, decayed and diseased leaves. You could remove discolored foliage as well. Trim the vines and shape them as per your liking.
Propagation
The plant can be propagated through stem cuttings easily in a hassle-free way. Just pick a healthy adult plant and you are good to go with just basic gardening skills. In this section, we give you tips and tricks to propagate a healthy offset all by yourself.
– Right Season To Propagate
Propagate the plant during the warm months of spring and summer. This will give the roots enough warmth to develop and sprout a healthy plant. Avoid the colder months of winter when the plant is in a state of dormancy and under frost conditions. The new offsets seldom grow actively and the roots may remain weak, unable to absorb enough nourishment from the soil.
– Tools Required
Keep the following tools handy before you begin your process. Always sterilize each of them before you start to prevent the spread of any fungal infection.
Make sure that your tools are with you when you start the process, keep in mind to have a sterile and sharp garden pruner or shear. It is important to have a proper potting mix as a tool, because this plant is going to be a placed in a new environment where it needs to grow and prosper in healthy roots.
Furthermore, make sure you have a pot or container with proper drainage holes, the reason for this is because if you poor in excess water, the plant will absorb the right amount, as for the rest, they must drain out of the holes. And Lastly, keep a plastic sheet with tiny holes next to you as well.
– Propagation Method
Stem cutting is the easiest way to propagate the plant and achieve a higher rate of success in comparison to seed germination. Not only is the success rate low with seeds, but the process is also relatively slower as well. Find the complete details listed below.
You have to start from picking a non-flowering stem from a healthy adult plant and gently cut a section from it. After the latter, you must ensure the cut section has at least two nodes intact in it.
Afterwhich, you must plant this in a well-draining potting mix and cover it with a plastic sheet to aid lock in some humidity for the plant. This humidity will create a proper atmosphere to the plant so that it grows in comfort and matures in a healthy way.
Furthermore, you can opt to mix in some hormone powder in the potting mix to boost growth. What is ideal to do is to place the plant in a warm and well-ventilated spot meeting all of its ideal requirements. Lastly, in a couple of weeks, the cut section begins to root and grow independently of its own accord. You can choose to transplant the plant at this stage if required.
Problems
The plant is a delightful hoya variety and with the proper care, it can charm any garden space. But the plant may often encounter problems that affect its health and foliage. In the section below we list out the most common issues of the plant and some quick fix solutions to tackle them hassle-free. So read on.
– Pest Infestations
Much as the plant is robust, it is not spared by pests and bugs that occasionally attack foliage and feed on them. Mealybugs, aphids and spider mites are the most common ones that thrive on the underside of foliage weaving a web-like structure.
They suck out the juices from the plant making the vines go limp and the leaves withered. If you find your Hoya infested, isolate the plant and begin eradicating them as soon as possible.
The process is easier when the infestation is minor. More severe conditions may reduce the foliage in volume or even kill the plant. Spray a blast of water on the affected area to directly bring down the pests.
Apply some insecticidal spray or an organic soapy liquid by misting it all over the foliage. Use neem oil as a repellent to deter future pest infestations.
– Botrytis Blight
This is a gray mold fungus that the hoya plant is most susceptible to. The disease finds a way all over the plant foliage on flowers, buds, bulbs and leaves. It makes buds fall before time and flowers fade away soon. You will find brown irregular flecks and spots all over the plant foliage.
Treat Botrytis Blight by using sterile tools during pruning or propagation. Prevent spread by keeping the soil saturated and treating the plant with a good quality fungicide.
– Plant Not Flowering
The Ciliata produces beautiful black blooms in the shape of a star with yellow stars on it. If provided with an environment closest to its native the plant produces these blooms throughout the year.
If your plant is not flowering, check to see if it is receiving adequate sunlight. The plant thrives best under bright yet diffused light. Keep the plant nourished with a good quality NPK fertilizer as flowering plants love the extra boost through fertilizers. Also, do not repot the plant often as it prefers to be root bound.
– Slow or Stunted Growth
If you find the growth of your plant to be slow or the vines to be stunted, then check your watering routine. Over as well as underwatering can hamper the health of the plant drastically. Where the plant loves moisture, it is only up to a limit that it can tolerate.
This prevents overwatering or making the soil soggy as the roots then struggle to take in the required levels of oxygen from the soil. On the other hand, never let the soil go bone dry as the plant gets dehydrated and fails to transport essential salts up the stems from the roots.
– Plant Leaves Turning Yellow
If over-watering the plant can cause stunted growth, it can also make the leaves turn yellow. You will notice the discoloration in the tips of leaves and stems as a result of the stress of excess moisture in the soil and around the plant.
Remember, as much as water is essential for the plant, overwatering can drastically hamper not only the growth but the overall health of the plant as well. For healthy and green foliage maintain a regular schedule, allowing the soil to saturate between watering.
Additionally, ensure the soil is light, porous and well-draining. The pot needs to have proper drainage holes and not be clogged by the roots or tiny rocks and pebbles.
Another common reason for yellowing leaves is the excess use of fertilizers. You will find discoloration and curling of leaves in this case as well as the plant is a light feeder that requires just a mild formula to boost the production of blooms.
– Buds Fall Off Before They Bloom
The plant produces beautiful booms that are eye-catching and attractive. However, you may often notice that these buds fall off the plant, well before they could bloom. Check the quality of your soil if you experience this condition.
An extremely dry or wet soil prevents the roots from absorbing adequate nutrients and oxygen from the soil thus leading to a weak bud that falls off time.
Keep the soil slightly acidic and well-draining and aerated. You can mix in some organic matter such as wood shavings or bark to increase aeration and keep the soil light.
– Root Rot
Overwatering the plant has yet another drastic consequence. Fungal root rot caused by excess water in the soil, makes the long vine-like stems go limp and wilt. The excess soil water prevents the roots from taking in more oxygen and turns them into a breeding ground for fungal growth.
If you suspect root rot, the first thing to do is to scale back on the watering. Transplant the plant into fresh soil moving it away from the previous soggy one.
– Dying Vines
You may sometimes find that the vines of your plant turn limp, they wilt and die. This occurs because the plant has not been receiving the right amount of light. The ciliata requires bright yet diffused light and they will struggle to sustain themselves if you place them in a dark and dingy place.
Move the plant into a bright spot that is ventilated and receives at least four hours of constant light daily. If you are growing it indoors, move it close to a south-facing window or use artificial grow lights to receive its required light.
Conclusion
In this article, you have read how you can easily grow the Ciliata plant. Let us summarize all that has been covered in the detailed guide.
- Hoya Ciliata is an ornamental and vining plant that produces delightful star-shaped blooms. The plant is evergreen and perennial and its rich foliage makes it a favorite of many.
- The plant is tropical in nature and thrives best in warm climatic conditions with high humidity.
- The health of the plant depends on the right levels of light and water. Provide it with bright yet indirect light and the soil well-drained and saturated. Also, ensure you keep the plant away from extreme heat or cold conditions.
- Propagate the Ciliata in the warm months of springs and summer using stem cuttings
- Tackle most problems of the plant by providing it with its ideal requirements; maintaining good plant hygiene, taking care of its watering routine and keeping pests away.
Now that you have understood how to grow the plant, you would surely want to include this species in your garden spaces. So bring in this hoya variant in your home to fill your spaces with lush green and blooms.
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