Hoya Lauterbachii is a favorite plant among many gardeners and hobbyists due to its ease of maintenance and good looks.
If you wish to grow this exotic species in your home or garden, then this detailed guide will help you out.
We list out the complete care procedure, propagation method, and techniques to tackle the most common issues of the plant. So, wait no longer and dive straight into the article.
What Is Hoya Lauterbachii?
Hoya Lauterbachii is a tropical plant, characterized by large blooms and reddish-coppery-colored flowers. The plant is native to Thailand and surrounding areas and is also known as the Giant Wax Plant due to its magnificent and large foliage. You will find fuzzy green leaves and parachute clustered flowers.
Hoya Lauterbachii Care
This Hoya variant is a magnificent and robust climber plant with blooms as large as three inches and can thrive in a range of environmental conditions. The plant bears reddish flowers with a cream center and a gentle fragrance.
In the below section, we discuss in further detail each of these ideal requirements of the plant. We provide tips and techniques to give the plant the best care in each of these aspects.
– Water Requirements
This Hoya variant thrives best when you permit the soil to saturate entirely between waterings. The plant isn’t thirsty and generally prefers a dry environment rather than a moist and wet soil medium. Water the plant once every week on the warmer days of spring and summer. The fall and winter months will require less frequent watering, at least once every two weeks.
Water the soil until you see the excess trickling out freely from the container drainage holes. The drainage holes need to be proper and not clogged with the roots or with pebbles. The plant is an epiphyte and will just not tolerate soggy soil. Thus, ensure the soil has completely dried up before your next watering schedule.
– Light Requirements
The plant requires moderate levels of light. Place it in a spot where it can receive bright and indirect light, away from the harsh rays of the sun. Avoid over-exposure to light as this could scorch the waxy leaves of the plant.
If you are growing your plant indoors, move it near an east or west-facing window where it can receive adequate partial light. Nonetheless, you may alternatively place it on the northern side, however, do ensure the light isn’t falling directly on the plant, but through a screen or curtain.
– Soil Requirements
Provide the plant with slightly acidic soil that is well-draining and aerated. The pH needs to be between 6.0 to 7.0. The soil needs to be nutrition-rich thus, ensure you add ingredients to boost its nourishment.
Mix in organic matter such as peat moss, perlite, compost, bark, and manure in equal parts. This potting mix will not only provide good nutrition, but it will also keep the light, porous, and aerated.
– Temperature Requirements
The Hoya is a tropical plant and thrives in a warm environment above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It may thrive at slightly lower temperatures but you wouldn’t find hoya lauterbachii flowers or hoya lauterbachii blooming in such a case. To get the most out of the plant ensure you maintain the ideal temperature range.
– Humidity Requirements
Hoya Luaterbachii prefers moderate levels of humidity at 60 percent. It can sustain itself in slightly lower levels for a short while, but with extended exposure to dryness, the plant will begin to show symptoms. In such a condition increase moisture by misting the plant, grouping it with other plants, or placing a pebble tray filled with water below the pot.
– Fertilizing Requirements
This hoya variant is a light feeder. All that it requires is a balanced liquid formula once a month to boost growth and produce blooms. Use a 15-15-15 formula high in nitrogen during the growing seasons of spring and summer.
The use of a light formula will keep the blooms intact and the foliage lush green and healthy. Avoid using fertilizers in winter as the plant remains in a state of dormancy and does not require an additional boost. Excess use of fertilizers can also lead to leaf scorch and salt build-up in the soil.
– Pruning Requirements
Prune the hoya plant regularly to maintain its foliage in shape and to boost further growth of the plant. The ideal time to prune is after the completion of a flowering cycle.
Never prune during new development as this could slow down new growth and blooms. Begin by snipping away wilted, diseased, and decayed leaves. Clear foliage that is obstructing fresh growth and retains all flowers.
Propagation
The plant is easy to propagate using stem cuttings. In the below section we give you tips and tricks on how you could go about the process hassle-free. Read on for all the information.
– Right Season To Propagate
Utilize the warmth of the spring and summer months to propagate the plant. This will help the new offsets sprout faster, and the roots establish themselves better.
Avoid the winter months when there is potential frost that may hamper progress. The plant also remains in a state of dormancy in this season, so you wouldn’t find the new offsets developing much.
– Tools Required
You will need to keep the following tools at hand ready before you begin. Ensure all items are sterilized with a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol to prevent the spread of bacterial and fungal diseases.
Make sure you have a sharp garden pruner because we want to have a sharp cut of the stem. an organic and well-draining potting mix so that the plant thrives in the soil. furthermore, have a pot or container this is where the plant will be living.
A plastic garden sheet with tiny holes for air circulation, rooting Hormone, and wood Shavings or Sphagnum moss are necessary tools for the successful propagation of the plant.
– Propagation Method
You can propagate the plant using herbaceous stem cuttings or hardwood stem cuttings. In the section below we explain both these methods in detail. Find detailed steps on how you can go about the process successfully.
– Herbaceous Stem Cuttings
You may begin by picking a healthy adult plant and snipping away two to six inches of its stem. Furthermore, you must make sure that there are at least three sets of leaves intact in the cutting. Place this cut at the bottom of a node.
From the cut section, remove all buds and flowers. Place the stem now in a potting mixture and cover it entirely with a garden sheet. This will kick in some humidity for the plant. The plastic sheet must not touch the leaves or droop over them.
What you have to do next is to trim down any large leaves that are present at the bottom of the stem near the ground. Then, place this pot in a warm and well-lit spot, away from the harsh light and heat of the sun. Keep the soil slightly damp.
Don’t worry because, in a couple of weeks, the stem will develop its roots. You can gently tug at the stem to check if the roots have emerged. Remove the garden sheet at this stage as excess humidity can negatively impact growth.
The Last thing you need to keep in mind is that you must care for the plant as you would generally do for a mature adult plant and in a few weeks, you will notice fresh nascent leaves emerging from the section.
– Hardwood Stem Cuttings
Hardwood stem cuttings are woody stems from the previous season. Utilize these hard sections to propagate a new plant.
Begin by cutting the stems to about a quarter to an inch in length keeping at least two nodes intact. Dip the cut end into the rooting hormone and place it in a plastic bag with moist wood shavings and sphagnum moss.
Make sure that you keep this cutting in the refrigerator to put it into a dormant state. You will need to bring this out only during spring when the actual propagation needs to be done. In early spring, remove the stem out of the plastic bag and bury it directly into a potting mix.
Keep the soil lightly moist and care for it as you would a mature adult plant. and just in a couple of weeks, this woody stem section will be able to establish its healthy roots. You will also find fresh nascent leaves sprouting from the stem.
Problems
Similar to other variants in the same plant family, this hoya too is not devoid of any problems. These issues are commonly seen in the plant. However, they can easily be tackled in a hassle-free manner. In the below section, we list the most common problems of the plant and easy solutions to fix them.
– Pest Infestations
The most common pests that infect the plant are mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites, and scales. These houseplant pests attack foliage and suck out the plant sap.
They also excrete a white sticky substance known as honeydew, which in turn attracts ants that feed on the foliage. Honeydew may also cause sooty mold to form a layer on the plant foliage.
Pest infestations make the plant weak, wilted, and stunted in growth. Large infestations distort the look of the plant and can even eventually lead to its death.
Thus, it is essential to identify infestations and work towards eradicating them at the earliest. The best way to control the spread of pests is to use an organic insecticidal soap or neem oil which will repel pests and also prevent future infestations.
Regularly inspect the plant for such pests. You will find them in clusters on the underside of leaves. Alternatively, dip a cotton swab in alcohol and gently rub it around the infected zone. This will prevent them from feeding on the plant.
– Yellow and Droopy Leaves
The leaves of your Hoya may be turning yellow and wear a wilted look if you have been overwatering the plant. The Hoya plant is not a thirsty one and seldom survives in soggy soil. Monitor your watering schedule and water only when you find the topsoil has completely dried up.
Permit the water to flow out of the pot freely and the soil is not retaining any excess moisture. Additionally, use wood shavings or mulch to improve drainage of the soil and to keep it aerated, thus handling the risk of overwatering.
– Brown Leaves
The leaves of your plant may be turning brown due to any one of these reasons. Exposure to excessive heat coupled with a lack of humidity results in an overly dry zone for the plant.
Under this stress condition, the plant struggles to sustain itself thereby turning its leaves brown. Water your plant right and increase humidity by misting the plant or using a pebble tray. This should be able to tackle the issue.
Another reason why your leaves may be turning brown is because of the use of excessive fertilizers. Excess fertilizers scorch leaves and also lead to salt build-up in the soil.
The plant is a light feeder and requires a slight boost only during its growing months. Thus, a balanced formula is sufficient for growth. Also, scale back on fertilizer in the fall or winter months.
– Weak and Limp Plant
Another expected outcome of over or underwatering the plant is limp and wilted-looking stems. Check if your soil is parched and water it until it flows out of the pot drainage holes. At the same time, do not keep the soil constantly moist as this prevents the roots from absorbing oxygen from the ground.
Tackle over watering by scaling back on the water ultimately. Wait for the soil to completely saturate before you add in any more.
– Stunted or Slow Plant Growth
Do you find that your Hoya has stopped growing or is stunted? This may be a common occurrence in the colder months of winter when the plant remains in a state of dormancy. However, if you notice stunted or slow growth in other seasons, then it indeed is a problem at hand. There are several reasons why this may occur and one if it is the lack of light.
Move the plant to a well-lit ventilated spot and you should soon see a thriving plant. Another reason for stunted growth is lack of nourishment. Hoya requires well-nourished soil that is slightly acidic so check the pH and maintain it within its ideal range. Fertilize lightly with a balanced formula and this should take care of the problem of stunted growth.
– Buds Fall Before They Bloom
If the buds of your plant are falling off well before time or before they bloom, yet again, it is a watering issue. You have overwatered it or have let the plant go dehydrated. Under this stress condition, the buds fail to bloom as they usually would.
Water the plant as per the ideal care requirement mentioned in the above sections. It is best to let the soil saturate entirely before adding in more. Practice misting the plant frequently to retain humidity around it in the air.
– Falling Leaves
It is normal for the hoya plant to shed some leaves before the cold months of winter, especially if you are growing them outdoors. However, if you spot excessive shedding it could be because of exposure to extreme temperatures.
Always place your hoya plant in partial shade in summers and a warmer spot preferably indoors away from frost in winters. Maintain steady light and humidity and the plant will pick up its foliage, lush green and healthy.
– Hoya Not Flowering
Lauterbachii produces reddish coppery blooms that are delightful and eye-catching. If you are missing out on such beauties and the plant isn’t producing them, then it can be a matter of concern.
The plant heavily produces blooms if it is nourished and grown in an environment that is best suited to it. This is after the plant matures as blooms are seldom produced when the plant is in its early nascent stages.
If your mature adult plant is not producing any blooms it could be due to excessive water in the soil, over-exposure to heat and light, a root-bound plant, or lack of nourishment in the soil.
Look deeper into each of these aspects as per the details mentioned in our care section and provide the plant an environment closest to its native. You will soon spot those buds blooming into flowers in your space too.
– Toxicity
Lauterbachii is mildly toxic; moreover, the symptoms are not chronic and it is not life-threatening. Accidental ingestion of any part of the plant can cause mild stomach ailments such as irritation of the gut, vomiting, and diarrhea. Thus keep the plant away from pets and children to prevent any sort of consumption.
FAQ
Is Hoya Lauterbachii the largest flowering Hoya?
No, Hoya Lauterbachii is not the largest flowering Hoya. Some larger species include Hoya imperialis and Hoya macgillivrayi.
What is the best Hoya Lauterbachii growing medium?
The best growing medium for Hoya Lauterbachii is a well-draining mix of orchid bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss.
Does Hoya Lauterbachii prefer deep or shallow pots?
Hoya Lauterbachii prefers shallow pots that allow for good drainage and aeration of the roots.
Conclusion
After having read this guide, you have now understood how easy it is to grow this Hoya variant. Let us sum up all that we have learned in the below section:
- Hoya Lauterbachii is a magnificent plant with really large blooms. You will find each of the flowers growing to a size of three inches, making it an attractive option for many gardeners.
- The plant thrives in bright and partial light to grow healthy. At warm temperatures and well-draining soil, you will be able to see a happy and thriving plant.
- Maintain a regular watering schedule, adjusting it as per the season. Avoid overwatering or underwatering the plant as both can drastically impact its health.
- Provide adequate moisture and maintain humidity by misting the plant frequently or using a pebble dish below the container.
- Propagate the plant using stem cuttings in a hassle-free way.
Now that you have read the detailed hoya lauterbachii care procedure you can confidently include it in your garden. It is a perfect option especially if you are a beginner-level gardener with limited time at hand.
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