Hoya Heuschkeliana: Care Tips for the Epiphytic Flowering Plant

Hoya Heuschkeliana of the Apocynaceae family makes for a perfect succulent to grow in hanging baskets and mounted on other plants. It is a low-maintenance plant of the genus hoya that grows well in warm weather conditions.

Let us take a closer look at what it takes to care for this beautiful epiphytic plant. 

What Is a Hoya Heuschkeliana?

Hoya Heuschkeliana is a beautiful epiphytic, succulent plant endemic to the Philippines. The evergreen succulent belongs to the Apocynaceae family. It has beautiful foliage and star-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters. 

Hoya Heuschkeliana Care

Hoya Heuschkeliana is a low-maintenance plant and flourishes with little care and attention. Read the basic care instructions regarding light, water, soil, temperature, and fertilizer below. 

Water Requirements

Hoya Heuschkeliana has succulent leaves that store water and its roots are short that do not run deep into the soil, which is why it does not need to be watered frequently.

Water it once every one to three days in the summer months depending on the weather conditions in your area. 

Reduce watering to one to two times a week in winters. The plant does not show much new growth in winters and hence, needs less water and feeding. Watering in winters can cause root rot and fungal growth.

Watering Hoya Heuschkeliana should be similar to a succulent. Water it in such a way that it drains out of the bottom drainage holes and before watering again check the soil. The soil should be entirely dry. Soggy or waterlogged soil is a big no for the proper growth of this plant. 

Although Hoya Heuschkeliana is at a higher risk of being overwatered, the problem of underwatering cannot be ignored. If you notice the leaves curling, wilting, or wrinkling, it is probably because your Hoya is not receiving enough water.

– Signs of Overwatering

If the leaves of your plant start appearing mushy and brown, it means that you are overwatering them. Check the plant roots and see if they have turned dark. Change the soil mix immediately if you notice any signs of overwatering.

Water the plant online when the soil has completely dried out. Check whether the soil is dry by sticking in one of your fingers or by using a moisture meter. If the soil sticks to your finger, wait for a few days and check again if it has dried. 

Light Requirements

Hoya Heuschkeliana does well indoors and outdoors in bright, filtered light. Avoid placing your plant in direct sunlight, especially during noon as it can cause burns on thick, succulent leaves. It prefers partial sunlight conditions with direct sunlight only in the morning and evening. 

Medium to bright light works well for its growth. Ensure that the light is indirect if you have kept your plant near a window or balcony. When the plant receives adequate sunlight, its leaves develop a slight red tinge. 

Too little light makes the plant prone to root rot and other fungal diseases. Initially, the leaves will get dark green and over time will start getting mushy. You will have to ensure not to overwater a plant as it can kill it. 

The new leaves of Hoya Heuschkeliana Variegata are pinkish-red and mature to green as the plant gets older. It is loved for its yellow variegation and the care is similar to Hoya Heuschkeliana.

Soil Requirements

Hoya Heuschkeliana is epiphytic which means that it grows best in an orchid medium or a loose, rich, and well-draining soil mix. Prepare a mix of organic potting soil, organic compost, worm castings, and orchid growing mix to grow Hoya Heuschkeliana. 

If you are not adding orchid growing mix, use lots of perlite in your soil to make it flowy and airy. You can add up to 50 percent perlite to the soil, but not more than that. The epiphytic succulent needs rich, organic matter to grow well. Compact soils with poor water and air circulation can make the plant roots suffer. 

Temperature Requirements

Provide the right range of temperatures during the growing season to keep Hoya Heuschkeliana healthy. Not keeping the plant in the required temperature range can kill the plant. It thrives in temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Hoya Heuschkeliana cannot tolerate extremely cold temperatures. If it gets too cold outside, bring your plant indoors to a bright, warm spot. Cool temperatures coupled with frost can kill your plant. Bring the plant indoors when the temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Humidity Requirements

Hoya Heuschkeliana needs high humidity levels to grow well. It can tolerate slightly lower humidity levels indoors but the more the humidity, the bigger and healthier the foliage will be. Try to keep the humidity levels above 50 to 60 percent for best growth results.

Hoya Heuschkeliana has leaves that grow bigger in warm and humid environments. Under normal weather conditions, the leaves are thick, curved, and light green on the undersides. But under high humidity, they get longer and thinner. In full sunlight, they can get bright red. 

Try different methods such as using humidifiers or keeping humidity trays to keep the humidity high around the plant. To make a humidity tray, fill a shallow tray with some small stones and water and keep your plant above it. 

Group your plants in the summer months if you live in a dry area. You can also mist the plants regularly to keep the humidity levels high. Do not over mist because lack of air circulation combined with stagnant water on the leaves can cause rot and fungus growth.

Fertilizer Requirements

Hoya Heuschkeliana needs to be fertilized regularly during the growing months to thrive, note to use a balanced, liquid fertilizer to feed the plant. Do not fertilize your Hoya in winters as the plant is dormant and fertilizing at this time can cause root burn due to excessive salts in the soil. 

Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer if you want healthier and greener foliage and shift to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer when the plant is close to producing flowers. Add worm castings or organic compost in spring as they work as great slow-release fertilizers. 

Pruning

If you want to keep your Hoya Heuschkeliana compact, prune its stems that are growing too aggressively. Pruning enables new branches to grow and gives the plant a dense look. Do not prune too much as it produces flowers after reaching a particular height. 

Use sterilized tools to prune your plants to avoid diseases. Rub them with alcohol or use a disinfectant spray to keep them clean. Dirty pruning tools lead to many bacterial fungal infections.

When it comes to repotting, the Hoya Heuschkeliana does not need frequent repotting. In fact, it can tolerate being root-bound for some time and produces a lot of flowers when it is tied to the pot. The plant has a small root system. So it is highly unlikely that it will outgrow a pot every year. 

It is only when the roots start to come out of the bottom drainage holes or the soil mix begins to decompose that the plant needs to be shifted to another pot. Early spring or summer is the ideal time to repot Hoya Heuschkeliana.

Prepare a well-draining soil mix with potting soil, succulent and cactus mix, perlite, organic compost, and worm compost. After removing the plant from the old soil, check its roots and remove the dead roots before gently keeping it in the fresh soil

 

Propagation 

Hoya Heuschkeliana propagation can be easily done from stem cuttings. Propagation is also possible through the layering method. Spring to summer is the best time to propagate the plant. Let us take a closer look at how exactly you can propagate Hoya Heuschkeliana. 

– Stem Cuttings in Soil

Take a stem cutting that is four to five inches long and has about three leaves. Cut the leaves from the lower part of the stems and leave only the top two to three leaves on. You can dip the cutting in a rooting hormone for faster root development but this step is optional.

Prepare a rich and loose soil mix with perlite, coco coir, organic compost, and vermiculite mixed in. Gently place the stem cuttings in the soil by watering the soil evenly. The soil should be evenly moist but not soggy as soggy soil can rot the cutting.

– Stem Cuttings in Water

You can propagate Hoya Heuschkeliana in water too. Simply take the stem cutting and place it in a jar of water. Make sure that the leaves are above the water surface, otherwise, they will rot and the cutting would not root properly. 

Change the water every few days to prevent rot and algae growth. Once you notice the roots get about two inches long, you can shift the cuttings into a well-draining soil mix or let it grow in water.

Problems

Hoya Heuschkeliana is a fuss-free plant but if you do not provide it with the right growing conditions, it can suffer some issues such as pests and diseases. Let us look at some of them in detail. 

– Root Rot

Stem and root rot is a common issue faced by this succulent, and it is because of overwatering that its waxy stems and roots tend to rot. If you notice black, mushy lesions on your plant’s stems, check its roots too. Rot around the root system makes them black and soft. 

Reduce the water application and replace the soil mix if needed. Cut off the dead and decayed roots and water the soil only when the soil dries up. In extreme cases of rot, it might be impossible to save the plant.

– Botrytis Blight

Botrytis Blight or gray mold is a fungal disease that causes gray patches on the leaf margins and centers. The center is usually infected more because of high moisture levels, that is why the leaves become mushy and fall off eventually. 

This disease is more common in the colder months of the year when the temperatures fall and the days are shorter. Decrease the humidity levels around the plant to deal with the problem. Maintain good air circulation to keep the plant healthy and happy.

– Mealybugs

If you notice small white, cotton-like textures on lower leaf surfaces, then your plant is probably affected by mealybugs. Additionally, they also affect the plant roots and over time can kill them with severe infestations.

Use insecticides or soap solutions to get rid of mealybugs. Nonetheless, it is key to remember that you can also use organic neem oil sprays available in the market. A cold water spray also helps in blasting them off. If you are planning to use chemical methods, make sure that the pot has sufficient drainage holes. 

– Aphids

Aphid infestation is another potential problem that Hoya Heuschkeliana can face. Aphids are greenish-brown, soft-bodied insects that affect waxy plants the most. They cause distortions in new growth and stunted growth in the plant.

Aphids are relatively easier to control, noting that neem oil is a good preventative measure but if the infestation gets severe, insecticidal soap solutions come to the rescue. 

– Sooty Mold

Sooty mold is a fungal disease that grows on surfaces covered with honeydew. It is a sticky substance produced by many insects. 

Identify the insect and treat the plant accordingly. Remove the infected parts of the plant to get rid of sooty mold. Neem oil is a good remedy to deal with the fungus problem. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Let us take a look at some of the commonly asked questions about Hoya Heuschkeliana.

– How Do I Root Hoya Heuschkeliana?

You can root Hoya Heuschkeliana stem cuttings in both water and soil easily as has been discussed in the previous sections. Make sure that you change the water every three or four days when rooting the cutting in water and prepare an airy soil mix if rooting the cutting directly in the soil. 

– Is Hoya Heuschkeliana Toxic?

No, Hoya Heuschkeliana is not toxic even when ingested which means that it is completely safe to keep around kids and pets.

However, remember to try and keep it away from the milky sap from succulents because it may be dangerous. 

– How Do I Make My Hoya Heuschkeliana Bloom?

Hoya Heuschkeliana fails to produce blooms when either it is in a pot that is too big or it is overwatered or overfertilized. Pot-bound Hoyas tend to flower intensely as compared to others. To promote flowering, keep the plant in optimal growing conditions. 

– How Long Does it Take to Growth Hoya Heuschkeliana?

Hoya Heuschkeliana is a fast-growing succulent that grows best when either mounted or in hanging baskets. It does not like frequent changes in the position. Do not shift it once you have found the perfect spot for it. 

The plant size is five to six inches on average and grows well with bigger leaves when grown epiphytically. Do not cut off the flower spikes once they have flowered as they rebloom in the next season. 

– Do all Hoyas Have Flowers?

No, not all Hoyas have flowers but the Hoya Heuschkeliana does. The Hoya Heuschkeliana flowers are small and spherical and surprisingly their smell resembles the smell of butterscotch. Their colors range from yellow to pink.

It is rare for this plant to bloom indoors but if you keep it in outdoor spaces, it will give out some gorgeous flowers once every two years or so. 

The plant flowers intensely when it remains root bound for some time. The fragrant flowers attract a lot of beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies. The flower size is about 0.2 inches and in one cluster which is also called an umbel, there can be up to 12 flowers.

Hoya Heuschkeliana flowers can last up to seven days with the plant sometimes blooming several times a year in optimal growing conditions. 

Conclusion

Hoya Heuschkeliana is a great plant to have if you are someone who is looking for a plant that has low care requirements. Now that we have learned all about the beautiful epiphyte, let us summarize the top-most points to be kept in mind.

• Hoya Heuschkeliana is an epiphytic succulent with stunning foliage and is native to the Philippines. 
• It needs well-draining soil, and warm and humid weather conditions to grow well. 
• Keep an eye on both underwatering and overwatering for the healthy growth of your plant. 
• Prune the stems regularly to keep the plant compact and use the stem cuttings to propagate your plant.
• Use neem oil and other insecticidal soap solutions to deal with fungal diseases and pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and sooty mold. 

Now that we have looked at everything there was to know about Hoya Heuschkeliana, it is time for you to get one of these beauties for yourself!