Hoya Pubera Care InfographicHoya Pubera or Hoya Picta is a member of the Apocynaceae group of plants. Hoya Pubera is a Greek word that means ‘dogs away’ as it prevents dogs from entering the field as this plant releases toxins.
Hoya Pubera is mainly found in tropical forests of Asia and Europe, it is commonly used in homes and gardens for ornamental usage. Let us take a closer look at what it takes to care for this gorgeous plant.
Contents
What Is a Hoya Pubera?
Hoya Picta or Hoya Pubera has small leaves which are not poisonous and it is used for decorative purposes due to their attractive features. They are great for plant lovers who are beginners, being small in size and requiring very less care. Also commonly called Hoya Picta and Hoya Pubera Nummularioides.
Hoya Pubera Care
For proper growth of Hoya Pubera, well-drained soil with ingredients of peat and moss should be used with proper fertilization in the cultivating season. There should be proper access to filtered sunlight and water so that its growth requirements can be fulfilled.
– Water Requirements
Hoya Pubera is sensitive to overwatering and it requires water only two to three times a week. Water it sparingly to avoid root rot and fungal infections. Reduce the watering frequency even further in winters as the plant is dormant and does not show much growth.
The frequency of watering will depend on weather-related factors in your areas such as temperature, humidity, and the amount of light your plant is getting.
The higher the temperature and light received by the plant, the more frequent will be the watering and vice versa.
Pour water into the plant’s roots instead of spraying it all over the leaves. Spraying on the foliage makes the plant susceptible to rot and attracts pests. Water the plant thoroughly such that it drains out of the bottom drainage holes.
Watering thoroughly ensures that the plant’s entire root system receives enough water. If you water a little each time, the bottom-most roots will remain dry and you will notice the browning of leaves on the top.
– Light Requirements
For the healthy growth of Hoya Pubera, provide it access to filtered sunlight as sunlight is essential for photosynthesis. Filtered sunlight is necessary for this plant as direct sunlight could harm its leaves and would lead to dehydration.
As the moldable texture of leaves depends on a subcaste of fluid covering it, therefore exposure to direct sun rays could burn the leaf surfaces which could make them brittle and dry. Hoya Pubera requires at least five to six hours of filtered sunlight daily for proper growth.
Place the plant near a window or a shaded part of the patio where it can receive lots of bright light during the day. Avoid keeping it in dark spots as it might cause root rot and fungus growth due to overwatering.
Hoya Pubera is small in size and enjoys bright filtered light and it requires a good amount of sunlight per day for its growth as this plant has an average growth rate.
– Soil Requirements
Hoya Pubera soil should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. Mix 50 percent sphagnum moss with 20 percent perlite and 30 percent bark chips. This species of plant feeds on the nutritional debris which is obtained from the leaves which requires soil rich in nutrients.
It comes from the tropical regions which have dense forest areas with rich soil quality. For fruitful growth of Hoya Pubera you could add some gravel and sand in it at the time of planting it.
Hoya Pubera leaves are similar to succulents hence the soil components are similar as well. The leaves are small, thick, and glossy in nature. This plant uses its leaves to store water-absorbing it from the roots in the soil. The sturdy and small leaves grow in various shades of green from dark green to mint to seaweed.
– Temperature Requirements
Hoya Pubera cannot reside in extreme weather conditions and it requires favorable climatic conditions in which temperature should vary between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to this temperature range, Hoya Pubera is an ideal indoor plant as most homes have similar temperatures.
For proper growth of this plant, at least 50 percent of humidity should be maintained whether it is indoors or outdoors. This can be maintained by misting the leaves or by using a humidity dish along with some cold water.
Since Hoya Pubera is not cold and frost-tolerant, you must shift it indoors in winters to avoid frost-related danger. Extreme temperatures over extended periods may even kill your plant. So keep it in a bright, warm spot.
– Humidity Requirements
Hoya Pubera thrives in the humidity range of 50 to 75 percent. It is tolerant of slightly lower humidity levels too because of its fleshy leaves. The waxy foliage allows the plant to retain moisture for longer periods.
We would recommend you keep a humidifier or a humidity tray to maintain the humidity levels. To prepare a humidity tray, you need a shallow tray filled with some pebbles and water. Keep the plant above it and as the water evaporates, it will absorb the moisture from the air around.
Make sure that along with high humidity, you also maintain good air circulation around the plant. Lack of airflow can make Hoya Picta more prone to risks related to overwatering such as root rot and fungal diseases.
– Fertilizer Requirements
If conditions like adequate filtered sunlight and richness in soil are provided to this plant, then the usage of fertilizers is not required but the majority of the time, the soil quality degrades with time which hampers the growth of the plant.
So it is advisable to fertilize the plant and soil after every 3-4 months and with the onset of the summer season, the frequency and quantity of fertilizers should be increased as it is the season for blooming and Hoya Pubera requires nutrients most at this time.
During the summer season, the quantity of nitrogen fertilizer should be increased and when the flowering season starts, higher phosphorus content fertilizer should be used for best growth results. Apply a compost dressing of fertilizers on the leaves of the plant as they act as slow-release fertilizers.
– Pruning
Occasional pruning helps keep Hoya Pubera in shape. Prune the brown or dead leaves to control the plant’s size and to keep it compact. Prune the plant in spring and summer when new growth appears.
Propagation
Propagation is a process where one can have multiple plants from one single plant, it is a way of multiplying your plant into many plants. Hoya Pubera can easily be propagated at home. One of the easiest ways to propagate is through water propagation.
– Stem Cuttings in Water
In the process of water propagation, take a stem cutting of four to six inches which has few nodes on it as well. A glass container is used in which the stem is placed so that the progress of roots could be seen directly.
The nodes of the stem are submerged in water and the water is flushed out frequently so that it does not get dirty. The stem cutting should be placed in bright filtered sunlight and in about three to four weeks, a good number of roots will develop. After this, you can shift it to a pot.
– Stem Cuttings in Soil
You can propagate Hoya Pubera in soil too. All you have to do is take a stem cutting with two nodes leaving only the top two to three leaves attached. Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone powder for faster root growth. But this step is optional.
Bury the stem cutting in the soil such that the leaves are above the soil. Keep the plant in a shaded spot away from direct sunlight and keep the soil moist. After a couple of weeks, the roots will grow and you can grow them in a bright space with other plants.
– Layering
Another process of propagating Hoya Pubera is Air Layering. To undergo this process some amount of moss, a knife and an aluminum foil is required. In this process, a healthy stem is taken and a circular mark is made below the leaves.
After this, take out a part of the outer layer and place moss in that empty area from which the outer layer is taken out. Later on, cover it with aluminum foil. After 20 to 30 days, you will see roots on the surface of foil paper.
Carefully remove the foil and cut it from the bottom after that place it in nutrient-enriched soil and the plant is ready for further processes.
– Repotting Hoya Pubera
Hoya Pubera does not need to be repotted frequently. Due to its moderate to fast growth rate, you will have to replant it in a bigger pot that is big enough to accommodate its roots. The plant tends to wrap around whatever comes in the way.
We would recommend using a moss pole to keep the vines wrapped around. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to control the plant’s growth due to the curling vines. The ideal time to repot Hoya Pubera is from early spring to early summer when it begins to grow new leaves.
To repot the plant, first remove it from the old soil mix. Look for any dead or rotten roots. Prune the dead roots and leaves. Prepare a fresh peat-based soil mix in a new pot that is about two inches bigger than the older one.
In the fresh soil mix of the new pot, gently place the plant and firm the soil around its roots. Keep the soil evenly moist and make sure to keep the plant away from direct sunlight. Once it has fully adjusted in the pot, you can move it to a bright spot.
Problems
Hoya Pubera is a trouble-free plant but it can sometimes face certain issues such as pest attacks and diseases. Let us take a detailed look at some of them, in order to be more aware of how to keep the plant healthy and away from losing its color or even from any damages that might harm the Hoya Pubera.
– Root Rot
Root rot is one of the most common problems faced by Hoya Pubera. Most new gardeners tend to overwater the plant which makes the roots mushy and rotten over time. Maintain a regular watering schedule to avoid the problem.
To check whether your Hoya Pubera needs water or not, insert a finger in the soil till the second knuckle and if it feels moist to touch, wait for a few days and check back again. It is a great way to prevent root rot.
– Aphids
If you notice your Hoya losing color and becoming dull, it is most probably affected by aphids. You can find aphids near the flowers. They are tiny, sap-sucking insects that suck the sap from the plant’s stems. They also secrete honeydew which causes sooty mold.
Check the plant thoroughly and look for honeydew traces on the leaf undersides. In case of a light attack, prune the infected parts. Keep the infected plant away from other plants. In case of a severe infestation, try using an insect-killing fungus or insecticidal neem oil.
Avoid overusing nitrogen-rich fertilizer on your plant as it attracts aphids. Instead, we would recommend using the slow-release fertilizers.
– Spider Mites
Spider mites can be found on the leaf undersides and near the veins. They penetrate the leaf tissue and suck the sap from inside. In the spider mite infestation, you will find tiny, white dots on the leaves.
As the infestation becomes severe, the tiny white dots will convert to large, yellow, or brown patches. Be careful while purchasing a new plant and check it for spider mites before buying. Spray the leaf undersides with a strong water stream to get rid of smaller populations.
Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap solution if the population continues to grow. If your plant is heavily infected, it is better to get rid of it to reduce the chances of infection spreading to other plants.
– Mealybugs
Mealybugs are common pests and are usually found on the leaves. They feed by piercing through the leaves and sucking the plant’s nutrients. A severe mealybug infestation can kill your plant.
In light infestation, spray the plant with a strong stream of water. Blast the insects and make sure you spray the lead undersides too. If the insects have spread to most of the plant, use a strong insecticidal soap solution and apply it regularly until the population decreases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Let us look at some of the commonly asked questions about Hoya Pubera with their well-researched answers provided, in order to get a better insight into this succulent-like beautiful Hoya plant.
– Is Hoya Pubera Toxic?
Hoya Pubera is not poisonous and you can put it around kids and pets comfortably. However, it is always a better idea to keep it at an arm’s length from kids and pets to avoid any risk. If ingested, it might irritate the stomach.
– Does the Hoya Pubera Flower?
Yes, the Hoya Pubera blooms, it has yellow-colored blooms which are round in shape and are the smallest among all the Hoya species. These tiny flowers bloom in clusters. They are so small that you can fit hundreds of flowers in one hand.
Conclusion
Hoya Pubera is a gorgeous ornamental plant that should be on your must-have list if you are looking for a beautiful yet problem-free plant. Now that we know all about its growth requirements, let us take a quick glance at some of the most important care guidelines.
- Hoya Pubera is a beautiful Hoya belonging to the family and is native to tropical forests of Asia and Europe. It has small, stiff green leaves that give the plant a unique look.
- It thrives in bright, filtered light in rich, well-draining soil in the humidity range of 50 to 75 percent.
- Maintain moderate temperatures with regular yet sparse watering to keep it healthy.
- Repot the plant once every two to three years in a bigger pot and use the pruned cuttings to propagate it.
- It can face some problems such as pests attacks including aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. Treat them by using neem oil and insecticidal soaps.
Now that you have learned all about the care requirements of Hoya Pubera, it is time for you to get one of these for your home garden!
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